Remember the Titans (2000)

With only one major star (Denzel Washington), an appealing cast of fresh unknowns, and a winning emphasis of substance over self-indulgent style, Boaz Yakin's Remember the Titans is, like Rudy before it, a football movie that will be fondly remembered by anyone who sees it.

Set in Alexandria, Virginia, in 1971, the fact-based story begins with the integration of black and white students at T. C. Williams High School. This effort to improve race relations is most keenly felt on the school's football team, the Titans, and bigoted tempers flare when a black head coach (Washington) is appointed and his victorious predecessor (Will Patton) reluctantly stays on as his assistant. It's affirmative action at its most potentially volatile, complicated by the mandate that the coach will be fired if he loses a single game in the Titans' 13-game season. The players represent a hotbed of racial tension, but as the team struggles toward unity and gridiron glory, Remember the Titans builds on several subplots and character dynamics to become an inspirational drama of Rocky-like proportions.

Yakin--whose debut, Fresh, was one of the best independent films of the 1990s--understands the value of connecting small scenes to form a rich climactic payoff. Likewise, Washington provides a solid dramatic foundation (his coach is obsessively harsh, but for all the right reasons) while giving his younger co-stars ample time in the spotlight. The result is a film that achieves what it celebrates: an enriching sense of unity that's unquestionably genuine. (Ages 9 and older) --Jeff Shannon Amazon.com

Great movie, even better in Blu-ray!

One of my all time favorite movies now on Blu-ray. Watching and listening to the action makes me miss playing Texas high school football. January 7, 2009

Love this movie!

My husband and I feel this is one of the greatest movies made. True story base line, action, emotions, super cast with natural acting ability, funny...and awesome music. You don't have to be a sports fan to enjoy this movie, but if you are, you'll feel the heart of the story. January 7, 2009

A Sports Movie and More

This movie works on the level of the general stroy and what was going on during the time and also as a sports movie.

Washington comes in as a coach of a football during troubled times in the South and how he makes the team come together, and watching the team come together, works very well. Denzel is great as he always is, though I would be hard pressed to think of any movie he was in where he was not very good. Though it may have a couple of borderline cliche moments, they are rare and the movie stays away from being too trite.

I like the fact it was based on a true story and did not realize there was some time shifting of the actual events. Since it is not a documentary that part is not critical to making the movie work, but it was interesting to find out the years the story actually occurred, which I did not know. December 31, 2008

Great Movie

This is one of my favorite movies. I had this on on VHS now I have it on DVD. December 27, 2008

Terrific!

Terrific true story! Exhilarating and exuberant; a must see for the whole family. An amazing account of the triumph of tolerance over bigotry. Definitely a keeper. Denzel Washington shines as Coach Boone in one of his finest roles, and there are NO weak supporting actors or roles.
Superbly directed and all other production values are also top notch. And, oh yeah, it's also a great football movie! But it is so finely crafted, it could have been about CHESS teams and still have the same impact. Can't wait to see the director's cut. November 25, 2008

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