Invincible (2006)

Based on the story of Vince Papale, a 30-year-old bartender from South Philadelphia who overcame long odds to play for the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles in 1976.

Director:

Ericson Core

Writer:

Brad Gann

Stars:

Mark Wahlberg, Greg Kinnear, Elizabeth Banks

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Mark Wahlberg	...	Vince Papale
Greg Kinnear	...	Dick Vermeil
Elizabeth Banks	...	Janet Cantrell
Kevin Conway	...	Frank Papale
Michael Rispoli	...	Max Cantrell
Kirk Acevedo	...	Tommy
Dov Davidoff	...	Johnny
Michael Kelly	...	Pete
Sal Darigo	...	Mick
Nicoye Banks	...	TJ Banks
Turron Kofi Alleyne	...	Ronnie Sampson
Cosmo DeMatteo	...	Dean German
Stink Fisher	...	Denny Franks
Michael Mulheren	...	AC Craney
Michael Nouri	...	Leonard Tose

Storyline

In the sumer of 1976, 30-year old Vince Papale is having a tough run of luck. He's been working as a supply teacher for two days a week but has just found out that his job has been eliminated because of budget cuts. His wife gives up on him saying he'll never amount to anything and asks for a divorce. He works as a bartender and plays football with his friends. When the the new coach of the Philadelphia Eagles, Dick Vermeil, announces that he will hold open tryouts for the team, Vince reluctantly decides to give a try. In an almost unheard of feat, he manages to make the team and enjoyed a three year career as a professional football player. Based on a true story.

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Plot Keywords:

philadelphia eagles | bartender | 30 year old | friend | professional football player | 

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Taglines:

Dreams are not lived on the sidelines

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Sport

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for sports action and some mild language

Details

Official Sites:

Disney [us]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 August 2006 (USA)

Also Known As:

Who's Nuts Invincible

Filming Locations:

Franklin Field - 235 S. 33rd Street, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$33,924 (New Zealand) (24 November 2006)

Gross:

$33,924 (New Zealand) (24 November 2006)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Walt Disney Pictures, Mayhem Pictures, Who's Nuts Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

SDDS DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the Giants game, when Mark Wahlberg is running down the sideline in special teams coverage, a Giants player hits him hard and knocks him down. This Giants player was a football player at the nearby University of Delaware, and was not supposed to contact Wahlberg, let alone knock him down. As a result of this, the actor/player was told to leave the set, but the scene was kept.

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Goofs

In the season opener with the Dallas Cowboys, the coin toss is called "heads" by the Philadelphia Eagles before the coin is tossed in the air. In 1976 the toss was called while the coin was actually in the air. The rule of calling the toss before it was actually tossed by the referee was not changed until after the Thanksgiving Day game between Pittsburg and Detroit in the 1998 season.

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Quotes

Tommy: Even if you're down there for an hour, you're down there.

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Connections

Referenced in The Nostalgia Critic: 90's Sports Montage (2008)

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Soundtracks

"Free Ride"
Written by Dan Hartman
Performed by Edgar Winter

User Reviews

Support the underdog, after the movie you will smile!

After just seeing "Invincible" I must say thumbs up! Way to go that finally after 30 years this true story is brought to the big screen. Call me bias or partial because I'm an Eagles fan, but the story of any underdog making an NFL team makes you happy. 30 year old bartender and part-time school teacher Vince Papale who finds life a struggle from his wife leaving him, to problems paying his bills he finds only one hope that is to escape thru his love and passion for the Eagles. Papale a season ticket holder and sandlot football star decides to give himself a shot at a better life in 1976 when newly hired coach Dick Vermil decides to hold open tryouts. Papale has the odds stacked against him, but thru his will and determination to make it, because no one ever expected him to do anything he prevails! Papale lands a roster spot as a special teams player a blue-collar guy doing blue collar work on the field. The scenes and background of this movie, especially the way Veterans Stadium is shown is sketchy and unbelievable, but the story is true and touching. Vince Papale played for the Eagles for three seasons, well acted and done by Mark Wahlberg who showed enthusiasm with this role. Also Greg Kinnear is great as legendary head coach Dick Vermeil, overall a great movie of an underdog that leaves you smiling at the end. I hope more real-life NFL movies are made about players, because "Invincible" sets the standard.