Homens de Honra (2000)

The story of Carl Brashear, the first African-American U.S. Navy Diver, and the man who trained him.

Director:

George Tillman Jr.

Writer:

Scott Marshall Smith

Stars:

Cuba Gooding Jr., Robert De Niro, Charlize Theron

11 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robert De Niro	...	Master Chief Billy Sunday
Cuba Gooding Jr.	...	Chief Carl Brashear
Charlize Theron	...	Gwen Sunday
Aunjanue Ellis	...	Jo
Hal Holbrook	...	'Mr. Pappy'
Michael Rapaport	...	GM1 Snowhill
Powers Boothe	...	Captain Pullman
David Keith	...	Captain Hartigan
Holt McCallany	...	MM1 Dylan Rourke
David Conrad	...	Lt. / Cmdr. / Capt. Hanks
Joshua Leonard	...	PO2 Timothy Douglas Isert
Carl Lumbly	...	Mac Brashear
Lonette McKee	...	Ella Brashear
Glynn Turman	...	Chief Floyd
Dennis Troutman	...	Boots

Storyline

The story ultimately revolves around two "men of honor"; their relationship, their individual and joint failures and triumphs. Carl Brashear is determined to be the first African American Navy Diver in a time where racism is rife. Leslie Sunday is his embittered trainer, determined to see him fail. Fate, challenges and circumstances eventually draw these two men together in a tale of turbulence and ultimately triumph.

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Plot Keywords:

caucasian | nurse uniform | female nurse | nurse hat | navy | 

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Taglines:

History is made by those who break the rules.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama

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Certificate:

M/12

Did You Know?

Trivia

Inspired by a true story.

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Goofs

When Brashear is preparing for the final meeting to review his readiness to be reinstated, the US flag visible in the background has 48 stars. In 1968, it should have 50.

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Quotes

Billy Sunday: My name is Master Chief Billy Sunday. There was a preacher by the same name who cleaned up Chicago of all the whoring spics, drunken wops and motherfucking niggers that was making that place unfit for decent white folks to live. The only difference between me and that old preacher is that he worked for God, and I *am* God!

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Crazy Credits

The woman in the detox center is listed as "Pinch-Faced Woman at Detox Center"

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Alternate Versions

DVD includes several deleted scenes cut from the final film:

• Billy lies drunk on a beach and is caught by Military Police; the film then cuts to the opening scene showing just why he is in handcuffs.
• Carl finds Pappy's dog and he makes a white officer wash the poor animal in lye because carl touched it.
• an alternate ending showing just what exactly happened to Billy

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Connections

Referenced in Riverdale: Chapter Sixty-Nine: Men of Honor (2020)

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Soundtracks

Morning Papers Waltz Op. 279
Composed by Johann Strauss (as Johann Strauss Jr.)
Courtesy of Promusic, Inc.
By Arrangement with Ocean Park Music Group

User Reviews

very honorable

Familiar but triumphant true story set in the 1950s about a man and his determination to defy the odds. Gooding gives a rock solid performance as an ambitious Navy diver whose iron will leads him to fight discrimination and try to become the first ever colored master diver. Along the way he matches wits with—and eventually gains the respect of—his belligerent, hard-nosed superior (De Niro). Considering the film's definite Rocky formula you'll probably be a step ahead of the story at every turn, but it's well-directed, acted with such great conviction, and has a finale so powerful and moving that you almost have to go along for the ride. A compelling and gripping story of will and determination. ***

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 November 2000 (USA)

Also Known As:

Homens de Honra

Filming Locations:

Washington, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$32,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$13,339,465, 12 November 2000

Gross USA:

$48,818,921

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$82,343,495

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fox 2000 Pictures, State Street Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

129 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1