Miracle (2004)

The true story of Herb Brooks, the player-turned-coach who led the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team to victory over the seemingly invincible Soviet squad.

Director:

Gavin O'Connor

Writer:

Eric Guggenheim

Stars:

Kurt Russell, Patricia Clarkson, Nathan West

2 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kurt Russell	...	Herb Brooks
Patricia Clarkson	...	Patti Brooks
Noah Emmerich	...	Craig Patrick
Sean McCann	...	Walter Bush
Kenneth Welsh	...	Doc Nagobads
Eddie Cahill	...	Jim Craig
Patrick O'Brien Demsey	...	Mike Eruzione
Michael Mantenuto	...	Jack O'Callahan
Nathan West	...	Rob McClanahan
Kenneth Mitchell	...	Ralph Cox
Eric Peter-Kaiser	...	Mark Johnson
Bobby Hanson	...	Dave Silk
Joseph Cure	...	Mike Ramsey
Billy Schneider	...	Buzz Schneider
Nate Miller	...	John 'Bah' Harrington

Storyline

The inspiring story of the team that transcended its sport and united a nation with a new feeling of hope. Based on the true story of one of the greatest moments in sports history, the tale captures a time and place where differences could be settled by games and a cold war could be put on ice. In 1980, the United States Ice Hockey team's coach, Herb Brooks, took a ragtag squad of college kids up against the legendary juggernaut from the Soviet Union at the Olympic Games. Despite the long odds, Team USA carried the pride of a nation yearning from a distraction from world events. With the world watching the team rose to the occasion, prompting broadcaster Al Michaels' now famous question, to the millions viewing at home: Do you believe in miracles? Yes!

---

Plot Keywords:

second cold war | american athlete | propaganda | ice skating | ice skater | 

---

Taglines:

Do you believe in miracles?

---

Genres:

Biography | Drama | History | Sport

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for language and some rough sports action

Did You Know?

Trivia

During the real-life ABC network broadcast of the game between the U.S. and Soviet Union at the 1980 Olympics, ABC ran two commercials for a made-for-television film called Elvis (1979), that was to be broadcast on the Monday following the end of the Olympics. Kurt Russell starred as Elvis Presley in the film, and is shown in the commercials, in addition to playing Herb Brooks, in the main movie.

---

Goofs

After the U.S. scores its fourth goal over the Soviets, the long shot of the scoreboard shows the score still at 3-3.

---

Quotes

Herb Brooks: When you pull on that jersey, you represent yourself and your teammates. And the name on the front is a hell of alot more important than the one on the back! Get that through your head!

---

Crazy Credits

After all of the credits roll, there is a short video clip of Herb Brooks.

---

Connections

Referenced in Sports Jeopardy!: Episode #1.30 (2015)

---

Soundtracks

Rockford Files Theme
Written by Mike Post, Pete Carpenter
Performed by Mike Post
By Arrangement with Universal Television, A Division of Universal City Studios LLLP

User Reviews

A Miracle for Disney

Don't let the fact that this is a Disney movie deter you from watching a thoroughly enjoyable and adult-level sports movie for two-plus hours. Kurt Russell does an excellent job portraying coach Herb Brooks as a complex and sometimes ruthless and inscrutable leader. Very UN-Disney-like indeed.

I am not a hockey fan - in fact I dislike the game intensely - yet I enjoyed the well-crafted scenes of competitive team play. Knowing the outcome of the BIG GAME did not detract at all from the excitement and suspense surrounding it. Sort of like the suspense Ron Howard achieved in Apollo 13 (where we knew in advance the outcome, but were worried about and later relieved for our astronauts).

A must-see for sports fans and non-fans alike.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

Canada USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 February 2004 (USA)

Also Known As:

Miracle

Filming Locations:

Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$28,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$19,377,577, 8 February 2004

Gross USA:

$64,378,093

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$64,445,708

Company Credits

Production Co:

Pop Pop Productions, Determination Productions, Mayhem Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

135 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.40 : 1