Failed college coach Norman Dale gets a chance at redemption when he is hired to coach a high school basketball team in a tiny Indiana town. After a teacher persuades star player Jimmy Chitwood to quit and focus on his long-neglected studies, Dale struggles to develop a winning team in the face of community criticism for his temper and his unconventional choice of assistant coach: Shooter, a notorious alcoholic.
Acting
Dennis Hopper drunk-crying deserved that Oscar nom.
Cinematography
Those golden hour cornfield shots invented Indiana.
Writing
'I'll make it' — three words, absolute chills.
Director
David Anspaugh
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The real Milan team had 161 students; Hickory's fictional 64 made the underdog math even crueler.
This film basically IS Indiana's personality now — the state literally has 'Hoosier Hospitality' tourism campaigns because of it.
US
GB
