The Hero (2009)

Based on a true story, a group of boys from Monterrey, Mexico who became the first non-U.S. team to win the Little League World Series.

Director:

William Dear

Writers:

W. William Winokur, W. William Winokur (book)

Stars:

Clifton Collins Jr., Cheech Marin, Moises Arias

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jake T. Austin	...	Angel Macias
Jansen Panettiere	...	Enrique Suarez
Moises Arias	...	Mario Ontiveros
Ryan Ochoa	...	Norberto Villarreal
Gabriel Morales	...	Ricardo Treviño
Carlos Padilla	...	Baltazar Charles (as Carlos Padilla Lenero)
Tony Revolori	...	Fidel Ruiz (as Anthony Quinonez)
Mario Revolori	...	Gerardo Gonzalez (as Mario Quinonez Jr.)
Alfredo Rodríguez	...	Jose 'Pepe' Maiz (as Alfredo Rodriguez)
Clifton Collins Jr.	...	Cesar Faz
Cheech Marin	...	Padre Esteban
Emilie de Ravin	...	Frankie Stevens
Bruce McGill	...	Mr. Tanner
Patricia Manterola	...	Maria
David Koechner	...	Mac Thompkins

Storyline

Based on a true story. In 1957 a rag-tag, shoeless, poor group of kids from Monterrey, Mexico shocked the world by winning 13 games in a row and the Little League World Series in the only perfect game ever pitched in the Championship. These kids, led by their priest and a down-and-out former major leaguer embark on a journey through the southern US and up into Williamsport, PA for the Championship game. They encountered many adversities including nearly being deported and the bigotry that wouldn't allow them into certain restaurants or travel on certain buses. They never lost their faith and eventually captured the hearts of both nations. This is a heart-warming inspirational story in the tradition of "Rudy", "Hoosiers", "Coach Carter" or "Friday Night Lights".

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Plot Keywords:

poor | dirt road | year 1957 | kids | monterrey mexico | 

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Taglines:

Nine Boys. One Dream.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Family | Sport

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for some thematic elements

Details

Official Sites:

Official distributor's site for the film. [Spain] (Spanish) Official Producer's site for the film. [United States]

Country:

Canada USA Mexico

Language:

English Spanish Latin

Release Date:

16 April 2010 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Hero

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$12,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$207,329, 23 April 2010

Gross USA:

$1,089,445

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$3,878,993

Company Credits

Production Co:

IndustryWorks Pictures, HighRoad Entertainment, Prelude Pictures

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Black and White (film clips and archive photographs: Los pequeños gigantes [1960]) Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

By their team numbers, the Monterrey boys are: (3) Gerado Gonzalez, (5) Mario Ontiveros, (7) Ricardo Treviño, (8) Angel Macias, (9) Baltazar Charles, (11) Fidel Ruiz, (13) Norberto Villarreal), (14) Enrique Suarez, (15) José "Pepe" Maiz.

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Goofs

The US $1 bills shown are Federal Reserve Notes, which weren't introduced until late 1963. In 1957, $1 bills in circulation were Silver Certificates.

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Quotes

Cesar Faz: What are you doin' here?
Mr. Tanner: It's baseball. Why it's a world series. Only in America.

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Connections

Features Los pequeños gigantes (1960)

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Soundtracks

Sport Today
Written by Felton Rapley

User Reviews

432rd Review: Excellent Inspitatonal Sports Movie - not just for kids!

This dramatization of the 1957 World Little League Champions is just a terrific watch - sure, it is a little clichéd in places - but what sports movie isn't, but it has the same vibe as The Mighty Ducks and The Bad News Bears except that is based on a true story.

All in all, baseball films are nearly always good to watch, and this is no exception - the team is fun, the story is built well, the film is nicely edited, you get a ton of baseball, and the moral compass is firmly fixed to good throughout.

One of the better sports films for kids - and adults - and one that deserves a wide audience.