The adversarial entities within each of us rings loud here!

Rating: 7/10 (4 April 2001)

This film is interesting. It actually happened in several schools across the country in our past and still does today. I personally saw this occur in Dickinson, Texas where the Dickinson Gators won their state championship in 1977. Supposedly, this setting is somewhere else out in the Carolinas, but it doesn't matter. Racism and other adversarial forces provide a strong undercurrent of constant tension and immerse a football team and it's coaching staff into a monumental struggle to survive and compete. It just doesn't sound possible, but you have to see the film and see how it is possible. The leadership and connection to his players that actor Denzel Washington portrayed was a good example of how at times, the only way to deal with cruelty is with absolute spartan style force....not a pretty site for one with a squeamish stomach or a faint heart. The end result was that he showed players, that character building was the unifying ingredient that permitted a team to become an effective and competitive force to deal with on and off a football field. Sportsman are suppose to be tough, but not stubborn. This film can rectify a polarized audience with parable-style delivery of a very important social statement. Watch this film and appreciate the drama. I liked it and you will too.