Hoosiers (1986)

A coach with a checkered past and a local drunk train a small town high school basketball team to become a top contender for the championship.

Director:

David Anspaugh

Writer:

Angelo Pizzo

Stars:

Gene Hackman, Barbara Hershey, Dennis Hopper

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 3 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Gene Hackman	...	Coach Norman Dale
Barbara Hershey	...	Myra Fleener
Dennis Hopper	...	Shooter
Sheb Wooley	...	Cletus
Fern Persons	...	Opal Fleener
Chelcie Ross	...	George
Robert Swan	...	Rollin
Michael O'Guinne	...	Rooster
Wil Dewitt	...	Reverend Doty
John Robert Thompson	...	Sheriff Finley
Michael Sassone	...	Preacher Purl
Gloria Dorson	...	Millie
Mike Dalzell	...	Mayor Carl
Skip Welker	...	Junior (as Calvert L. Welker)
Eric Gilliom	...	J. June

Storyline

Based on the true story of a small-town Indiana team that made the state finals in 1954, this movie chronicles the attempts of a coach with a spotty past, and the town's basketball-loving drunk to lead their high school team to victory.

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Plot Keywords:

team | coach | indiana | high school | basketball | 

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Taglines:

They needed a second chance to finish first.

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Genres:

Drama | Sport

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Official Sites:

MGM

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 November 1986 (USA)

Also Known As:

Best Shot

Filming Locations:

Brownsburg, Indiana, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$28,607,524 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

De Haven Productions, Hemdale Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

114 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color (CFI)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

An actual Milan Indian Guard, Ray Craft, was in the movie. Craft was the person that greeted the Huskers when they got to the state finals, and he also was the one that told Coach Dale that it was time to take the court before the state final.

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Goofs

When Shooter takes over as coach for the second time, late in the game a pass is intercepted in the corner by Jimmy (#15) but a second later it is Buddy (#14) in that same spot holding the ball and saying, "Time out, Ref."

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Quotes

Coach Norman Dale: What's gotten into you?
Strap Purl: The Lord! I can feel His strength!
Coach Norman Dale: Well... keep His strength in the dribble alright?

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Crazy Credits

Director David Anspaugh is credited as Jack Nemo in the edited (and disowned by Anspaugh) television cut.

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Connections

Referenced in The Wonder Years: Loosiers (1989)

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Soundtracks

"Big Band Highlight No. 3"
Composed by Ole Georg (as Neil Amsterdam)
Courtesy of Capitol Productions Music

User Reviews

Full of passion and heart.

This film is primarily about Basketball, but don't let that fool you, I have no interest in the game but I was yanked into it and was feeling the passion of the coach, players and the town all the way through.

The underlying thread is of forgiveness and second chances. You never really know what was behind the need for these second chances, but that doesn't matter, you feel for these people, and a lot of that is to do with Gene Hackman.

One of my favourite actors, Hackman pulls off a fantastic performance here, with an amazing backup from Dennis Hopper. What a combination.

Passion, guts, determination, and without too much of a sickly taste in the mouth. A lovely film to watch.