Truly Moving Picture

Rating: Null/10 (26 December 2005)

I saw this film on December 22nd in Indianapolis. I am one of the judges for the Heartland Film Festival that screens films for their Truly Moving Picture Award. A Truly Moving Picture "explores the human journey by artistically expressing hope and respect for the positive values of life." Heartland gave that award to this film.
It's 1965 in Texas, and a new, young, white basketball coach, Don Haskins, gets his first chance to coach a Division I men's basketball team, Texas Western. There is a lot going against him. His past experience is coaching a women's basketball team, and the school has a poor basketball tradition, and he cannot recruit good white players. But, he is determined to succeed. And, he doesn't see color when he evaluates talent.
Forty years ago, there were virtually no black college players in the South. There was even an unwritten rule that you could play 1 black at a time at home, 2 on the road, and 3 if you were losing badly. Don Haskins recruits blacks in Northern cities, and brings them to Texas Western to play basketball and, just as important, to be students..
The road to glory is not easy, and there are many obstacles. The black players have to adjust to a strict coach who wants them to play fundamental basketball and not street basketball. The black players face subtle and overt racial prejudice. And the school administration, alumni, and student body aren't quite sure their coach is doing the right thing.
The black players, the white players, and Don Haskins display great human traits as they persevere throughout the school year and basketball season. They are courageous and even heroic in meeting great challenges. They sacrifice to achieve their goals. And, they keep their dignity at all times.
This is a "Hoosiers" with a conscience. The quality of the production and the acting is equal to "Hoosiers." And like "Hoosiers", it is based on a true story.
FYI  There is a Truly Moving Pictures web site where there is a listing of past Truly Moving Picture Award winners that are now either at the theater or available on video.