"Hoosiers" is a timeless film that will look good after years of its release because it speaks to us about how someone can inspire a group of people to do their best, as they become confident in what they are trying to accomplish. The championship team on which the Hoosiers true story is based is actually the Milan High School Indians. Gene Hackman stars as Norman Dale, a new coach with a spotty past. "And we showed a half-hour of dailies to Genes agent and he saw that what we were making was actually pretty good. What makes this one of the most popular sports films of all time isn't just the sport, it's because it's such a human-interest film, such a wonderful story of giving people second chances in life. 90 were here. Does he really give a shit about the kids hes coaching? Norman Dale was a lot more than just a coach. But what sets Hoosiers apart as an all-time classic is the same thing that makes Indiana natives love it so much: The little details perfectly encapsulate the high school basketball experience in small-town Indiana. The movie looks beautiful with crisp cinematography and scenery and the basketball sequences are stunning. I started watching basketball in fourth grade which would have been about three years after the time of this movie. Hickorys defense is complete dogshit for pretty much the entire season, which is noteworthy given that the townspeople tell Dale, upon taking the job, that the players are used to playing zone. Add a true-life David beat Goliath story and you have an appealing film. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Remember, this is a coach with a history of assault, having punched one of his own players at Ithaca College and receiving a lifetime ban for it. Marc Combs, the assistant coach, died in December of 1996. He gets a heros welcome upon returning to Hickory, where people call him a genius so often that he convinces himself theyre screwing with him, driving him to drink. Jimmy, I want you to meet someone. Others swear theyve heard stories that he is honorably discharged and lives in Washington, D.C., working for the federal government. | It has often been associated with Ray Charles, a native of the U. S. state of Georgia, who recorded it for his 1960 album The Genius Hits the Road. It's also about a man's comeback to the game after a rough patch in his own life. In that same scene, Shooter picks up and holds a framed picture of Norman's Ithaca State Warriors team, the 1939 National Small College champs. ", Hackman and Anspaugh clashed throughout most of the production. He was 96 years old . Everett handles it like a champ, by literally beating the hell out of those bastards from Terhune. On the surface, many viewers will rightfully focus on the inspirational sports story, but underneath of it is poetry in motion, the story of redemption, faith, self belief, and the beauty of basketball the way it was born to be played (and this is based in the 50s or 60s). In the press conference before the state championship, Dale is asked point-blank: Will you be back at Hickory next year? And when he doesnt answer, Myra grabs a megaphone and yells Its a good question! and he still doesnt respond! The Kings had no answer for Steph, who dropped 50 in a record-breaking Game 7 outburst to propel Golden State to a tantalizing second-round matchup against the Lakers. norman dale ithaca warriors - pricecomputersllc.com Jimmy accepts the offer, and in 1982 the 48-year-old has just finished his second season as Keadys top assistant. When I looked at the portrayal of the players in the movie I was impressed. Cletus Summers, who hires Coach Dale at Hickory and serves as his assistant before a heart attack puts him on bed rest (its probably fair to say Cletus doesnt live to see 1982), has this to say about Jimmy: In over 40 years of looking at the best this states ever had, I have never seen a better ballplayer than Jimmy Chitwood. We dont really know much about Cletuss scouting acumen, but we know that his relationship with Coach Dale dates back to Buffalo State Teachers College in 1931, meaning he hasnt lived in the Hickory bubble his entire life.
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