Moving portrayal of an awful time

Rating: 8/10 (29 December 2013)

A true-to-life portrayal of the aftermath of the early 70's plane crash which killed an entire football team. The angst of the few who missed the flight. The college decides to restart the program after initially putting it on hold. The search for a coach - Jack Lengyel - whom Matthew McConaughey plays exceptionally well. The meeting with Bobby Bowden, a future football Hall of Famer, who graciously allows the new Marshall coaching staff to scout his team. A well-done movie that avoids becoming maudlin. A must-see. I can think of no real 'buts'. One would have wanted to seem more of what became of Jack Lengyel after his short career there. But, after all, this is a story about the college and football team, though he was a major factor.