Having long been known for orchestrating and filming some of the most elaborate and expensive television advertisements the world has even seen, Guinness beer can’t do much of anything these days without making a huge splash. After two decades of advertisement campaigns, the subjects have run the gambit from one man at a bar sipping a freshly-poured pint to an entire village engaging in an elaborate and creative domino-toppling-themed commercial that cost more money to create than founder Arthur Guinness could have ever conceived of.
Guinness recently completed and released a 60-second television advertisement that is designed to get your palate thirsting for a Guiness and your soul thirsting for the incredible action and competition of the 2011 rugby World Cup.
Filming the advertisement was a massive endeavor that took several days and several million dollars. The scene begins with two long lines of warriors and horses forming on the tops of two hills that bookend a small valley. After they openly declare that they are ready to to battle Braveheart-style, a handful of warriors emerge from each front, sprinting into the valley in the midst of a heavy thunderstorm.
The theme of ancient rugby quickly becomes clear as the combatants focus on the act of getting their flag planted on the other side of the enemy’s front line. Muscular and athletic actors violently vie for the prize as two fleets of soldiers look on from the hilltops in anxious anticipation. The grit and determination shown by the warriors perfectly mirrors that of rugby players all over the world, many of whom would give life and limb in order to attain their dreams.
The action is fast-paced and unforgiving, and one clearly gets the feeling that the hopes and dreams of an entire country are on the line. When a shirtless warrior pole vaults over the final defensive front and firmly plants his flag into the moist and soft mud of the opponent, victory is clear. The cloudy and robust head of a Guinness beer appears immediately afterwords, prompting folks to enjoy some suds along with their favorite sport.