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Not part of a collection.
They needed a second chance to finish first.
Failed college coach Norman Dale gets a chance at redemption when he is hired to coach a high school basketball team in a tiny Indiana town. After a teacher persuades star player Jimmy Chitwood to quit and focus on his long-neglected studies, Dale struggles to develop a winning team in the face of community criticism for his temper and his unconventional choice of assistant coach: Shooter, a notorious alcoholic.
CinemaSerf
Mar 4, 2025 · via TMDB
I really found it quite hard to get excited about this rather predictable story, even though Dennis Hopper turns in one of his best character efforts. The story centres on basketball coach “Dale” (Gene Hackman) who takes over a third rate school team in Indiana. Their team spirit is pretty non existent but there are spirits a-plenty going down the throat of the enthusiastic “Shooter” (Hopper) whose son plays for the team and who isn’t the worst tactician - but is never sober often or long enough to consistently make much odds. With a team that couldn’t beat an egg and a deputy who can barely stand up, we now set off on a fairly standard story from a 1950s United States where opportunities were thin on the ground and sport could offer a way out for many. Hackman is fine, but not really anything more as we discover his character’s baggage and demons; Barbara Hershey tries to impose herself but her “Myra” has little to get her teeth into and Oscar nominated or not, I just didn’t take to Jerry Goldsmith’s confused score that was half Vangelis and half AOR. Even if you didn’t know the actual history upon which this is based, it’s an easy guess and that very procedural nature of the drama robs it of much jeopardy, even as the simulated match action takes place. It’s a motivational feel-good film and ought to be shown to illustrate to kids that winning is important, but not so much as the team-building aspects of sport that only work if everyone playing can rely on everyone else. It’s watchable enough, but isn’t anything special.
User reviews courtesy of TMDB.
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Gene Hackman
Norman Dale
Barbara Hershey
Myra Fleener
Dennis Hopper
Wilbur "Shooter" Flatch
Sheb Wooley
Cletus Summers
Maris Valainis
Jimmy Chitwood
David Neidorf
Everett Flatch (#21)
Brad Long
Buddy Walker (#14)
Steve Hollar
Rade Butcher (#25)
Wade Schenck
Ollie McLellan (#13)
Fern Persons
Opal Fleener
Chelcie Ross
George Walker
Gloria Dorson
Millie
Ken Strunk
Referee - Dugger Game
Rich Komenich
Reporter
Ernie F. Orsatti
Stunt Coordinator
David Anspaugh
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Jerry Goldsmith
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Nov 14, 1986
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The Stranglers - Live '78, SF
1978
Saddle Leather Law
1944
Sign in to vote
Battle your watched movies head-to-head
Community Top Movies
Evil Dead II
1987 · 14 wins
The Dark Knight
2008 · 14 wins
Halloween
1978 · 13 wins
Final Destination
2000 · 12 wins
Halloween II
1981 · 11 wins
Trivia
Leaderboard →Playing as a guest — sign in to save your score and rank on the leaderboard.
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Guess the movie from a clue — tagline, plot, cast and more. Pick from four posters.
What movie experience do you prefer?
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