The Express (2008)

Director:

Gary Fleder

Writers (WGA):

Charles Leavitt (written by)
Robert Gallagher (book)

Release Date:

10 October 2008 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama | Sport

Plot:

A drama based on the life of college football hero Ernie Davis, the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy.

Plot Keywords:

African American | Coach | Syracuse University | American Football | Student Athlete

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

US TV Schedule:

Wed. Jan. 6	4:00 PM	HBO
Thur. Jan. 7	12:35 AM	HBO

Cast

Rob Brown	...	Ernie Davis
Dennis Quaid	...	Ben Schwartzwalder
Darrin Dewitt Henson	...	Jim Brown
Omar Benson Miller	...	Jack Buckley
Nelsan Ellis	...	Will Davis, Jr.
Charles S. Dutton	...	Willie 'Pops' Davis
Justin Martin	...	Young Ernie Davis
Justin Jones	...	Young Will
Nicole Beharie	...	Sarah Ward
Aunjanue Ellis	...	Marie Davis
Elizabeth Shivers	...	Elizabeth Davis
Clancy Brown	...	Roy Simmons Sr.
Danny McCarthy	...	Bill Bell
Regina Hoyles	...	Sister
Chelcie Ross	...	Lew Andreas

Also Known As:

The Express: The Ernie Davis Story (USA) (promotional title)

MPAA:

Rated PG for thematic content, violence and language involving racism, and for brief sensuality. (edited from PG-13 version)

Runtime:

130 min

Country:

USA | Germany

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White | Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:PG (certificate #43975) | Singapore:PG | Argentina:Atp | New Zealand:PG | Australia:PG

Filming Locations:

Berwyn, Illinois, USA

Company:

Davis Entertainment

Trivia:

Career team record @ Syracuse 1959 11-0 1960 7-2 1961 8-3.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: During the Syracuse V. West Virginia game the Flying WV logo is pictured on one of the props in the back of the end zones was not actually created until Don Nehlan's term as Head Coach at WVU. Don Nehlan created the icon in the early 70s after a few years into his tenure. West Virginia's symbol in those days were the letters WVU diagonally through the state on a gold ribbon.

Quotes:

[watching Ernie practice against high school players]
Jim Brown: He's too fast for these kids.
Ben Schwartzwalder: He's too fast for anybody.

Movie Connections:

References Stalag 17 (1953)

Soundtrack:

Salty Papa Blues

Just saw this on HBO today.

Shame on the makers of this movie! WV native Syracuse Coach Ben Schwartzwalder would have rolled over in his grave to have seen his Alma Mater and home state portrayed this way. WV and Syracuse did not even play in Morgantown in 1959. The portrayal of WVU fans throwing bottles and uttering racist comments, statements made such as "that's how they do it down there", etc. are as racist and stereotypical as those portrayed to be West Virginia University and University of Texas fans in this movie. I just can't imagine a man who had risen to his stature saying that about his home state and the college where he matriculated and played football either.

The players who played for SU in 1959, as well as for Texas in the 1960 Cotton Bowl, said upon seeing the screening of this movie that they remember none of these events taking place at either of these games. And remember, one of those games didn't actually happen.

Wanna see a good football movie? Watch "We Are Marshall" instead. Though it takes liberties with the characters and events, it is at least somewhat factual. And a truer and much more accurate picture of West Virginians in those days.