Edgy In 77 But Tame By Today's Standards

Rating: 9/10 (6 January 2014)

I was a high school student living in a minor league town when this movie came out and it instantly became a "must see" among my friends. I think some of our teachers got sick of hearing some of the quotes. While the language was considered extreme in 1977, it is tame by today's standards. I recently took advantage of a frigid winter day to actually count the F-Bombs. On my DVD there are a total of 68 with Reggie Dunlop leading with 28. The funny thing is that none of them are gratuitous or forced and just seem to naturally fit in with the characters.
This movie is a nice trip in a time machine. You have to love the vehicles all the players drive. Newman's outfits are so 70's it isn't funny. Back before the internet we actually got news from papers and not instantly like today.
The action scenes are very well filmed and come across as very real even by today's CGI enhanced standards.
Sure there are a few plot holes but it's a movie, not a documentary. Every character is believable to a certain extent.
If you are a sport movie fan not only is this a must see but I have to wonder if it doesn't make your top 3 (it's my number one as well as making my all time top 25).
This movie is a joy to watch over 35 years later.