The Express

release date:October 10, 2008
Tuesday January 20, 2009 (dvd)
genre:Drama
running time:129 min.
director:Gary Fleder
studio:Universal Pictures
producer(s):John Davis
screenplay:Charles Leavitt
cast:Dennis Quaid, Rob Brown, Omar Benson Miller, Clancy Brown, Charles S. Dutton
Current Tribute rating: Current rating: 2.18    Rate Movie     User Reviews

The Express Movie Synopsis

Based on a true story, The Express follows the extraordinary life of college football hero Ernie Davis (Rob Brown), the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy. His fight for equality and respect forever changed the face of American sports, and his story continues to inspire new generations.

Raised in poverty in Pennsylvania coal-mining country, Davis hurdled social and economic obstacles to become one of the greatest running backs in college football history. Under the guidance of legendary Syracuse coach Ben Schwartzwalder (Dennis Quaid), he became a hero who superseded Jim Brown's achievements and set records that stand to this day.

Decorated veteran Schwartzwalder was a Southerner with a single vision of a national championship and hardened ideas about how the world worked. But though he and Davis clashed mightily, he taught the player everything he knew about football, just as Davis helped him learn the true meaning of victory.

As the growing civil rights movement divided the country in the '60s, Davis became a symbol for achievement that transcended race. Refusing to flinch from others' prejudices, he achieved all his goals—until he faced a challenge that would make most men crumble. He joined the ranks of black pioneers by teaching a generation tolerance, inspiring a movement that smashed barriers on and off the field.

User Reviews view all…

  Watched this movie several times, and all those times I've been driven to tears. Ernie was a real hero. The lesson I learnt is life is not so much an issue of the length of time one spends on earth but how one uses his or her strengths make an impact in society.

  very inspirational!!! thought the acting was great. I sports classic!

I enjoyed watching this movie and would recommend it.I don't know what people found so wrong with it but maybe there was not ehough violence or stupidity?