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!

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Plot Keywords:

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

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Taglines:

The story of the greatest moment in sports history.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | History | Sport

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for language and some rough sports action

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

Did You Know?

Trivia

In real life, the "Herbies" after the Norway game did not end with Mike Eruzione saying he played for the United States of America. They instead ended with Mark Johnson's frustration of having to do the Herbies, where he smashed his stick against the glass.

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Goofs

The size of the ice during the Soviet/USA game at the end of the movie is normal size ice. The actual game took place on Olympic sized ice.

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Quotes

Patty Brooks: Herb, there's no disgrace in losing to this team.
Herb Brooks: Yeah, I know.
Patty Brooks: The important thing is, you got this far.
Herb Brooks: The important thing?
[pause]
Herb Brooks: The important thing is that those twenty boys know in twenty years, they didn't leave anything on the table. They played their hearts out. That's the important thing.
[leans over and kisses Patti on the cheek, while she rests her head on his shoulder]

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Crazy Credits

During the closing credits of the film, each actor is shown on screen with the name of the player he portrayed along with a "where are they now" update.

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Connections

Featured in WatchMojo: Top 10 Sports Movie Underdogs (2014)

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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

Good movie

I was wary at first of Disney production of this film. I didn't want the cheesy Mighty Ducks type of sports movie, especially when dealing with the awesome task completed by these players. I thought the film makers did a nice job and the movie itself was quite entertaining. I think it exposes a whole generation to the 1980 U.S. hockey team and what they accomplished. Even though I am not a fan of Kurt Russell, I thought he was very good as Herb Brooks. He had the mannerisms and the voice down very well. Russell is a huge hockey fan himself so I know it was honor for him to play Brooks. For die hard hockey fans, this movie will entertain and it does not poison the game action or what it is really like to play hockey.