Audience applauded 3+ times at preview

Rating: 10/10 (10 January 2006)

Americans love underdogs. After this film, they will love Miners. That's the nickname of the Texas Western College basketball team that was the first NCAA Division 1 team to win the National Championship by using only black players in the final game. This Disney film chronicles that team's achievement which culminated in the 1966 NCAA championship. At a special preview sponsored by Richmond, Virginia, Clear Channel radio stations, a fairly packed house applauded the film no less than three times at emotionally gratifying moments. After the film, large numbers of the audience lingered in the theater watching the credits roll ... and were pleased when a small "window" in the big screen showed interviews with members of that 1966 team as they are today. Not embittered by the racism they encountered, these men today provide great examples of sportsmanship combined with a positive outlook that has made them successful and -- to all appearances -- happy people. Seeing this film makes you realize how far we've come as a nation since that period of time in terms of race relations. Are there still problems? Sure. Can we do better? Of course. But the racially mixed audience at this screening seemed to share the same feelings of outrage at past racism, and the same feelings of elation when the underdog Miners defeated the mighty Kentucky Wildcats in what's been described as the upset of the century. It's also considered by some a turning point in the game of basketball -- a point well made by Pat Riley (former Lakers coach), who was on the Kentucky team that was defeated by the Miners. Excellent performances throughout. Great and uplifting message. Glory Road is a slam dunk.