When the Game Stands Tall (2014)

The journey of legendary football coach Bob Ladouceur, who took the De La Salle High School Spartans from obscurity to a 151-game winning streak that shattered all records for any American sport.

Director:

Thomas Carter

Writers:

Scott Marshall Smith (screenplay), Scott Marshall Smith (story)

Stars:

Jim Caviezel, Alexander Ludwig, Michael Chiklis

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jim Caviezel	...	Bob Ladouceur
Michael Chiklis	...	Terry Eidson
Alexander Ludwig	...	Chris Ryan
Clancy Brown	...	Mickey Ryan
Laura Dern	...	Bev Ladouceur
Matthew Daddario	...	Danny Ladouceur
Joe Massingill	...	Beaser
Jessie T. Usher	...	Tayshon Lanear
Ser'Darius Blain	...	Cam Colvin
Stephan James	...	T.K. Kelly
Richard Kohnke	...	Rick Salinas
Matthew Frias	...	Arturo
Chase Boltin	...	Manny Gonzales
Gavin Casalegno	...	Michael Ladouceur
Les Miles	...	Oklahoma Scout #1

Storyline

Inspired by a true story, WHEN THE GAME STANDS TALL tells the remarkable journey of legendary football coach Bob Ladouceur (Jim Caviezel), who took the De La Salle High School Spartans from obscurity to a 151-game winning streak that shattered all records for any American sport.

---

Plot Keywords:

coach | high school football | 

---

Taglines:

It's not how hard you fall. It's how you get back up.

---

Genres:

Drama | Family | Sport

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for thematic material, a scene of violence, and brief smoking

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Sony Pictures [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 August 2014 (USA)

Also Known As:

Un equipo legendario

Filming Locations:

New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$15,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$8,381,509, 22 August 2014, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$30,127,963, 31 October 2014

Company Credits

Production Co:

Affirm Films,Mandalay Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

115 min

Sound Mix:

SDDS Dolby Digital Datasat

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

De La Salle is a private high school, and tuition is $16,000 per year. Scholarships are available for students who cannot afford it.

---

Goofs

The film shows Bellevue High's quarterback completing several passes in the win over De La Salle. In the real game Bellevue did not attempt a single pass the entire game.

---

Quotes

Terry Eidson: Why don't you tackle him? This is a contact sport. You can hit someone; it's encouraged even!

---

Connections

Referenced in The Cinema Snob: The Passion of the Christ (2015)

---

Soundtracks

Love Me All by Myself
Written by Al Anderson and Pat McLaughlin
Performed by Pat McLaughlin
Courtesy of Big Yellow Dog Music, LLC and Courtesy of Creamstyle Records
Under license from Corn Country Music

User Reviews

Much More than a Football Movie

When the Game Stands Tall is about a football team and includes a lot of football footage, but it is not a football movie. Rather, it is an inspirational movie about life, commitment, and the definition of success. In this manner, it succeeds wildly.

The story would seem predictable: a team achieves 151 wins in a row through incredible talent and maniacal enthusiasm for football. Instead, When the Game Stands Tall dismisses the importance of "The Streak" and focuses on the process and commitment by which it was built. Almost preachy at times, the movie can be forgiven because it captures the true story. Caviezel's depiction of Coach Bob Ladouceur as quiet, humble, and overly-focused is spot-on. Its illustration of the team's "commitment cards" should be seen as a revelation for every other football team, rather than a sappy distraction. The death of Terrance Kelly was shocking and senseless. And DLS players actually do hold hands as they enter the field and graduate spouting words like "brotherhood" and "love".

When the Game Stands Tall is clearly intended as a message movie in a football setting, and it succeeds on both fronts. "Family-appropriate", it makes for enjoyable and worthwhile viewing.