Woodlawn (2015)

A gifted high school football player must learn to embrace his talent and his faith as he battles racial tensions on and off the field.

Directors:

Andrew Erwin, Jon Erwin

Writers:

Jon Erwin, Todd Gerelds (book)

Stars:

Caleb Castille, Sean Astin, Jon Voight

4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sean Astin	...	Hank Erwin
Nic Bishop	...	Tandy Gerelds
Caleb Castille	...	Tony Nathan
Sherri Shepherd	...	Momma Nathan
Jon Voight	...	Paul Bryant
Joy Brunson	...	Johnnie
Lance E. Nichols	...	Junior (as Lance Nichols)
DeVon Franklin	...	Preacher
C. Thomas Howell	...	Shorty
Kevin Sizemore	...	Jerry Stearns
Brett Rice	...	Whitehurst
Virginia Williams	...	Debbie
Brando Eaton	...	Morton
Richard Kohnke	...	Jeff Rutledge
Jet Jurgensmeyer	...	Todd

Storyline

When Woodlawn High School in Birmingham, Alabama is controversially desegregated in 1973, Tony Nathan, a gifted black high school football player, joins the school's predominantly white football team along with several other black players. The coach, Tandy Gerelds, tells the team to use their shared anger to unite them, but black and white players clash on and off the field. After a riot at the school, Gerelds consents to allowing traveling sports chaplain Hank Erwin to speak to the team as a "motivational speaker". Hank's speech moves nearly the entire team to accept Hank's invitation to commit their lives to Jesus Christ, and join together in prayer. Gerelds does not accept the invitation, and is unsure what to make of the event..

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Plot Keywords:

coach | christianity | racial integration | american football | racism | 

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Taglines:

One Hope. One Truth. One Way (John 14:6)

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | History | Sport

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for thematic elements including some racial tension/violence

Did You Know?

Trivia

This movie marks the second time Jon Voight has portrayed a legendary college coach. In Glory Road (2006), he portrayed Adolph Rupp.

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Goofs

During the game between Woodlawn and Banks where it is pouring with rain, the Woodlawn sideline players and coaches are seen to be wet. However, the Banks sideline players and coaches are dry with dry hair and clothing. The rain can be seen falling in front of them.

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Quotes

Hank: I'm asking you to stand up, to make a decision, to change, to forgive, and to be forgiven.

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Connections

Featured in One: The Woodlawn Study: The Cost of Following (2016)

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Soundtracks

Knockin' on Heaven's Door
Written by Bob Dylan
Performed by Bob Dylan
Courtesy of Columbia Records
By arrangement with Sony Music Licensing

User Reviews

Woodlawn is quite an inspirational real-life high school football drama

While there is a Woodlawn High School in my town of Baton Rouge, LA, this one is about a Woodlawn in Birmingham, AL, that seemed in danger of closing because of the racial incidents that happened when it was integrated in the early '70s. The coach employs a motivational speaker-played by Sean Astin-to help heal whatever issues the school football players had with each other and it seems to do the trick, especially when one of the black players-Tony Nathan-suddenly becomes very valuable to the team. I'll stop there and just say this is quite an inspirational true-life drama to watch in light of recent racial strife we seem to be going through right now. Oh, and I also liked Jon Voight's playing of legendary Alabama coach Paul "Bear" Bryant, as well. So on that note, I recommend Woodlawn.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 October 2015 (USA)

Also Known As:

Woodlawn

Filming Locations:

Legion Field - 400 Graymont Avenue W, Birmingham, Alabama, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$12,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$4,002,226, 18 October 2015

Gross USA:

$14,394,097

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$14,401,617

Company Credits

Production Co:

Kevin Downes Productions, Crescent City Pictures, FortyFour Studios

Technical Specs

Runtime:

123 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1