This film is a part of our Popcorn Flicks in the Park series, which takes place in Central Park, Winter Park once a month and is FREE and open to the public! These films are presented with open captions.
Florida Film Festival Kick-Off Event!
Gene Hackman Tribute Film!
Based on the true story of a small-town basketball team that made the state finals in 1954, a volatile coach (Gene Hackman) and a former-star-player-turned-alcoholic (Dennis Hopper) lead a small-town basketball team on an improbable run to the Indiana state championship. Coach Norman Dale encounters several hurdles: a feisty teacher determined to keep the best player off the team, a town full of second-guessing parents, and a group of undisciplined athletes.
Nominated for 2 Academy Awards®, including Best Supporting Actor (Dennis Hopper) and the Independent Spirit Award for Best First Feature (David Anspaugh, Rudy), join us in celebrating the life and legacy of one of America’s greatest actors (Gene Hackman) and the unofficial launch of the 2025 Florida Film Festival.
1986, 114 minutes, USA/UK, Directed by David Anspaugh, Rated PG
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“Hackman anchors the movie with a performance of remarkable control. You see his hurt in his glances at his shoes, his little phony chuckle; you can feel him carrying his secret -- it's a rage held together with rubber bands.”
– Paul Attanasio, WASHINGTON POST -
“Hackman is wonderful as an inarticulate man tense with the struggle to curb a flaring, mysterious anger.”
– Richard Schickel, TIME MAGAZINE -
“It should come as little surprise that this solid, sentimental movie about basketball is set in Indiana, where babies are given roundballs before they get rattles.”
– TV GUIDE -
“It's a movie that is all heart.”
– Roger Ebert, CHICAGO SUN-TIMES -
“Bobby Knight would not be amused.”
– Pat Graham, CHICAGO READER
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