HOOSIERS (1986) Movie REACTION!

[@buckfan1969]

You're one of my favorite reactors because you don't talk over the movie every 8 seconds like so many do. Keep up the good work!

[@thomast8539]

@Vlasko60 I never understand why they don't simply pause the film, make their quick comment and then get back to it. I agree that I've seen a few key items missed by reactors talking when they needed to be paying attention.

[@richardwilliams6256]

exactly, she is a treasure to the reaction space, no buffoonery just authenticity.

[@blabla48076]

Wow, nobody reacts to this classic! Gene Hackman truly is one of the greatest of all time.

[@drzarkov39]

The whole month of March Madness, and Madison is the only one (as far as I know) to react to this classic.

[@steelers6titles]

One of the best sports movies ever made.

[@Divamarja_CA]

Dennis Hopper, man, Dennis Hopper. From Giant and Rebel Without a Cause to Colors, with a dash of Easy Rider, Cool Hand Luke, Apocalypse Now, Speed and Blue Velvet in between. What an actor. And actually, director, photographer, etc. A true renaissance man.

[@NATIVESUNSETS65]

Don't forget his role as Feck in the movie The Rivers Edge , I bought my first motorcycle after reading the Easy Rider screenplay and watching Easy Rider which Hopper directed . Dennis Hopper has had some Iconic roles , he has made appearances in over 150 movies he is indeed a True Renaissance Man 💯

[@DavidSmith-vb7gz]

Or the blind man in Young Frankenstein….

[@MarkJones-rl9ph]

The best part of this movie, is that Gene Hackman was a grump filming this movie...he thought it would bomb, and when he's talking with Dennis Hopper on the bench in the one scene, he tells him , "Dennis, I hope you've invested well, because we'll never work again after this film". When he was shown the screening, he asked the director how the Hell he did that?!? Movie magic...

[@sandman_says_runrunner4701]

Ironic, especially since he followed up this movie with "Superman IV: The Quest for Peace". 🤣

[@itsmedrooms6071]

It’s true. I heard that Hackman actually began to sand bag the movie and Hopper had to talk him down..role reversal there. Volatile coach played by a volatile actor, but nonetheless he is one of the greats.

[@torbjornkvist]

Jerry Goldsmith was one of the leading American movie musicians. He did many, many scores, and won a lot of Oscars. He was nominated for this one, Hoosiers.

[@rustincohle2135]

Goldsmith only has one Oscar, for _The Omen._

[@williambowman1660]

I think people think he won more because he was the orchestra leader at the Oscar ceremony for many years. He was introduced and was associated with the ceremony for the annual viewers.

[@minnesotajones261]

And don't forget the original Planet of the Apes, the reviews Star Trek themes, Hollow Man, The Omen II, tons of films. He's literally right up there with John Williams.

[@sandman_says_runrunner4701]

The four pass rule was about establishing discipline, teamwork, and running the offense... even if there was an open shot before the four. It was also about installing who is in charge. It may be harder at first and you might even lose a game or two but that is having long term vision instead of doing the quick and easy thing.

[@MattB2603]

It's also because that first coach kept saying shoot, you can't score if you don't shoot. Norman Dale wanted to teach them other aspects of the game.

[@sandman_says_runrunner4701]

@@MattB2603 100%

[@williamkerner3758]

Fun fact. This movie was based on a true story, and Oscar Robertson was on the real opposing team in the state finals championship, but he was only a junior so he did not play as much as he did the following year when his team won. Also, as you can see this was before they had divisions for small schools.

[@operator0]

When I was in grade school, I lived in the town this movie is about, Milan Indiana. Yes, they changed the name for "cinematic" purposes. Anyway, we had a big pumpkin festival every year and a parade to kick it off. The five living members of this basketball team at the time would ride on the lead fire truck of the parade. They were real life celebrities in that little town. I didn't appreciate how big of a deal this whole thing was until this movie came out. When it was released, my family had already moved to a new state, but I remember my dad renting this movie and we all sat in the living room and watched it, knowing that it was about Milan.

[@matthewgettys1952]

I’m so glad to see this film finally getting the attention it deserves. It was filmed entirely on location in Indiana as well. The announcer from the championship game, Tom Carnegie, was the announcer at the actual championship when Milan HS won it in the same arena that it was played(Butler Fieldhouse). I’m a born and raised Hoosier myself who played HS basketball at a small school, so it really tugs at my heartstrings. I actually have 5 friends who portrayed basketball players in this film, including one of my teammates for 6 years and “Jimmy Chitwood” himself.

[@brucejarman4072]

Hadn't seen this for decades! Forgot how good it is. Thanks.

[@MrLivewire1970]

Hackman is a great actor. He thought this film was going to flop. He also has to be talked into the role he played in the Unforgiven. Mississippi Burning is another film where he plays a complex character.

[@SaltyDog1967]

I live in Indianapolis and when I was younger I worked with the guy the played Strap (the religious player) for a few years after the movie came out. Also up until 1997 Indiana had a single class high school basketball tournament so small schools like Milan (the real team Hickory was based on) would play big schools from Indianapolis and and other big city schools. Starting in 1998 they started class basketball where you'd play against schools your own size, so no more David and Goliath opportunities. The gym in the final game of the movie is Hinkle Fieldhouse at Butler University in Indianapolis which hosted the final 4 of the Men's Nit tournament this year.

[@clash5j]

The team is based on a real life small town team that won the State Championships in the 50's (40's?). The major difference is that the real life team, despite being from an extremely small school, did not surprise anyone as to how good they were going to be. They had had an amazing year the previous season and so no one was surprised at how good they were

[@jimmiller8687]

It was Milan HS in 1954

[@nittyblahblah8939]

Not exactly. More appropriate to say inspired by a true story, not based on a true story. Do the research and you'll understand. I'm not here to shit on your parade. But facts matter.

[@Steve-gx9ot]

Was Larry Jo Bird on that team???❤😮

[@Steve-gx9ot]

​@nittyblahblah8939 do you like to sh1t on parades? Is that a thing?

[@ecclesrice9789]

I was born in Milan Indiana two years after they won the state championship in 1954. My grandpa went to the game in Indianapolis Hinkle Fieldhouse and I have the ticket stub

[@drzarkov39]

A great performance by Oscar nominated for best supporting actor, Dennis Hopper. Also, I loved the way the team from South Bend was realistically depicted - just kids, not arrogant pricks, who were tearfully disappointed at the end.

[@jamesdamiano8894]

Have you ever seen Crimson Tide. Great movie with some great angry Gene Hackman scenes. Awesome movie.

[@andrewneese6484]

I feel that is another highly underrated and under appreciated movie.

[@joepangia4413]

With the 4 pass rule game he was teaching them to think in “team terms” and look for pass combinational opportunities to score as they will need that ability against stronger defensive teams.

[@kbrewski1]

The reasons this movie worked so well were how incredibly realistic and accurate the game day atmospheres were captured at old school tightly packed gyms. And how they shot the actual basketball playing sequences was so well done and realistic. That's hard to do for a back and forth bball game. I've never seen any other basketball movie shot so well. Another thing about Hackman, who is always such a great actor, is that you knew the minute he took the court and was throwing those chest passes perfectly, zipping them right from the chest as you're supposed to. Immediately you knew Hackman had played some basketball.

[@jollyrodgers7272]

Based very loosely on the 1954 IN State HS Championship, which back then a small school (Milan) could actually win the big dance as they didn't have divisions based on school size, which system they still used until the late 1990s. Barbara Hershey was indeed the psycho-woman in THE NATURAL (1984).

[@bradlymiller4936]

The 96-97 season was the last in Indiana High School basketball that all teams competed in the same tournament. It was split up in divisions for the 97-98 season. That alone is amazing.

[@christopheryochum3602]

Madison! Thanks so much. I'm constantly trying to get reactors to do this movie, but no one does it, so this was a treat. The thing I like about this movie was that it was about redemption. Jimmy watching from the alcoves, Coach saying my team is on the floor, Jimmy coming in at the town meeting, Coach getting kicked out on purpose for Shooter's sake, and Shooter's son telling him he loved him. What more could a person want. Great movie.

[@tgriffin8179]

You mentioned that they won their state division…at this time there weren’t size divisions, they won state. Great react… I love your enthusiasm for the game. Keep’em coming!!

[@handfuloftrains4781]

"My team is on the floor." Talk about eyes tearing up, that moment is the one that always gets me. Thanks for a great reaction!

[@rustincohle2135]

In addition to _Hoosiers,_ Jerry Goldsmith also did the scores of _Poltergeist, Alien, Total Recall,_ and _Air Force One,_ all of which you've reacted to for the channel. He was one of the most popular film composers also having scored the original _Planet of the Apes, Papillon, Chinatown, The Sand Pebbles, The Omen_ trilogy, the _Rambo_ movies, _Seconds, Lilies of the Field, Patton, L.A. Confidential, Star Trek: The Motion Picture, The Mummy, Rudy, The 'Burbs,_ and _Basic Instinct._

[@kbrewski1]

He also did Rudy a few years after Hoosiers, another great sports movie that also takes place in Indiana a few hours north of Hinkle Field House.

[@KalElvis]

I was lucky enough to visit the set at Butler when they were filming and got to meet Gene Hackman there. It was a great day!

[@charlieeckert4321]

23:32 In the commentary, David Ansbaugh said this was Dennis Hopper's first scene. Before he rolled film, Hopper asked the director to give him about ten seconds before calling action. Just before they rolled, Hopper started spinning like a dervish to make himself stagger off balance. It was a trick Hopper learned from his friend James Dean (which it seems he used in the banquet hall scene in Giant).

[@christiansabotta6368]

I always think it's interesting how when Norman talks to Jimmy and tells him he doesn't care if he plays Jimmy misses the next shot he makes, clearly rattled.

[@kbrewski1]

That's the early key scene of the movie. Jimmy swishes every shot except that last one. It sets up Chitwoods later Game winning shot to win the State Championship after he tells the Coach he'll make it. I was flabbergasted she edited out the missed shot from her reaction.

[@rickbruner5525]

The sheriff in Hickory was a local actor, John Thompson. I ran a video production facility making commercials and corporate videos. I worked with John many times and considered him a friend.

[@vincentsaia6545]

Gene Hackman is 18 years older than Barbara Hershey. Others (including me) thought the kiss came out of nowhere but supposedly there is a deleted scene where they see each other in the library and break the ice with each other.

[@Steve-gx9ot]

What do you mean " break the zice Ooooh Baby baby

[@vincentsaia6545]

@@Steve-gx9ot That's not what it says, baby baby.

[@indycarcomplainer2304]

A lot of the “romance” part of the movie had to be edited out due to time constraints. The “director’s cut” is far better. Barbra Hershey was not happy with the final cut.

[@sandman_says_runrunner4701]

Besides... a lot of IRL kisses come "out of the blue" or at least seem that way.

[@vincentsaia6545]

@@indycarcomplainer2304 FYI No actor is happy when their scenes are cut.

[@AxelFoleyDetroitLions]

My Grandpa (rip) played for Coach Hinkle At Butler University. I Love That Arena

[@mhw745]

I attended Butler university where the Stated finals were played while I was there. The Hinkle Fieldhouse is a national historic building.

[@steelers6titles]

in 1950s Indiana, there were unimportant things like life and death. Then there was high-school basketball.

[@Elephant2024-wi2li]

Not only one of the best basketball related movies, but sports movies as well. Gene Hackman was sensational. Great supporting cast also including Barbara Hershey & Dennis Hopper. The basketball sequences were very well shot. The home court of Hickory is located in Knightstown, Indiana and is now known as the "Hoosier Gym." Interesting that in this year's NCAA March Madness Men's Tournament another Indiana school Purdue University, located in West Lafayette, Indiana made it all the way to the finals before losing to UCONN. Additionally, Bobby Knight, who passed away last year was a college coaching legend at Indiana University for many years winning three national championships and making it to the final four an impressive total of five times.

[@mynameisnobody7840]

Hoosiers was originally going be about true story of Milan Indians and Muncie Central for 1954 state championship, Hollywood tried get permission from both schools, however they didn’t want to pay royalties fees to use the schools name.

[@snootybaronet]

Jerry Goldsmith, who did the music, was a legendary music director in Hollywood. The producers had no budget to get the likes of Goldsmith to score their movie. One of the producers had a contact who could get a hold of Goldsmith and they gave him a rough cut of the film to review. Goldsmith had zero expectations that the film could be any good. He fell in love with the movie. He told the producers to pay him whatever they could afford. It went on to receive an Academy Award nomination for music. Likewise, Gene Hackman was down on the movie and was very difficult with the director. The director had only done television work before this film.

[@davidmottweiler7597]

People that live in Indiana are known as “Hoosiers”. Hoosier Hysteria is a term used around high school basketball. Also of the 12 largest gymnasiums built for basketball in the United States , 10 of those are in Indiana including the largest one in New Castle; Chrysler Arena.

[@xavierstewart5756]

I’m so glad you’re reacting to Hoosiers. This is indeed one of my favorite films with Gene Hackman. Also I love that Dennis Hopper was in this as well. R.I.P. by the way. I would recommend watching more of his films such as The French Connection.

[@russgunter3834]

Im glad you watched this. It’s such a good movie but many have forgotten it.

[@philmullineaux5405]

Personal note...when i was 15, i was at a hotel conference center, i snuck in. There was a pro tennis tournament, and a pro am golf tournament. While sitting in the lounge/bar area, Rudy tomjonavich, walter Payton, rick Berry came over, started playing backgammon. They wanted to play team. So it was me and Rudy, against them. Walter Payton talked do much crap! I'll NEVER forget it!

[@herbie1234567890]

Also, the actor who played the principal, Sheb Wooley, had a hit novelty song in the 1950s, “The Purple People Eater.”

[@susanliltz3875]

If you love the Great “Gene Hackman “ you’ve got to check him out in the movie:” Runaway Jury” he’s so good , great story!! Co stars John Cusak and Dustin Hoffman!!!!

[@doc_adams8506]

Dennis Hopper was nominated for an Academy Award for his role.

[@wayneblanchard4635]

One of the finest pictures ever made,gene Hackman and Dennis hopper gave such great performances.

[@rickc661]

my fave sports flick , actually a TV show. ( NfL ) ' Brians Song'

[@barryhickman6911]

One of the BEST sports movie EVER made!!! Terrific reaction by you!!!!

[@ThistleAndSea]

Good one, Madison! Love this movie, and I enjoyed rewatching this with you. Great job! So, another good basketball movie you might like is One On One from 1977, a high school star player has a rough transition to college ball. It's a good one. Thanks for sharing this with us. 🙂 Oh, Purdue alum here, I was in school the last time they made the final four and I saw a lot of great duels with Bobby Knight's teams back in the day. This spring was pretty exciting. SO close!!

[@meg41322]

Goldsmith also did the music for another great sports movie, "Rudy."

[@kbrewski1]

Same Director too.

[@americanmutt9089]

My favorite coaching roles for Gene Hackman in a movie was in The Replacements co- starring with Keanu Reeves. Also, my favorite Keanu Reeves movie.

[@bruinbro23]

First, this, Rudy and The Natural are my favorites, a successful athlete from 4 to 21 myself, love to know you're a basketball player and fan! Actor that plays Jimmy, came to where I am from, Antelope Valley CA, high desert north of LA, a minor league MLB team in Lancaster, CA, the Jethawks, he came to games, fans got to hear who he was, fans loved him, he signed every time, met him. After Rudy being true story, millions of fans of this wished it was real story, but no...just great acting and writing! The music in it, same guy in Rudy, makes movies so better, he's a legend! Watch two other basketball movies, Coach Carter, a true story, and Glory Road, another true story. Looking as beautiful as ever 💕

[@kbrewski1]

It's based on the true story of tiny Milan Indiana winning the State title at Hinkle Field House in 1954. Don't know why you don't think it's a true story. Also Hoosiers was made first, Rudy was filmed in 1992 or 93. The real Rudy wanted the director of Hoosiers to direct Rudy. It took him a few years to convince him and he did. Also, congrats on being a "great athlete" when you were 4!!

[@vincentsaia6545]

This is a highly fictioalized version of the Milan, Indiana high school basketball team winning the state championship in 1954. The man greeting the team off the bus at the state championships played on that team and the Miland coach (who was a new coach but only 31 at the time and a native of the town) really did use a tape measure to show his payers that the court had the same dimensions as their own.

[@MrAitraining]

Thank you Madison. I've loved this film since it came out. Great americana and story

[@thorstrebla980]

I live in Indiana and my family watched it in a *packed* theater when it came out. I remember people laughing about everyone in the movie acting like hicks. 😆

[@MrAitraining]

@@thorstrebla980 well it is set in 1952. Most of the country were hicks then 🙂

[@thorstrebla980]

@@MrAitraining The reason it was funny was that some, or most movies portrayed the 50s as modern people dressed in 50s clothes. Grease and Stand by Me had the dumb kids, but they weren't really hicks (except the junkyard guy, he was definitely a hick. 😆)

[@BryanPAllen]

Very fun reaction Madison

[@kbrewski1]

The State Championship Game was filmed at BUTLER UNIVERSITY HINKLE FIELD HOUSE in Indianapolis, which Butler still plays at to this day in the Big East Conf. Its now almost 100 years old, built in 1928. Its called "Indiana's Basketball Cathedral". Its one of the last of the old school Basketball arenas, with the seats right up close to the floor, a magnificent arching roof and windows to let light in. I've been there, we visited the school as a possible college choice for one of my kids. We obviously went to the Field House and shot a few buckets on the gorgeous old wood floor. Very very cool. Felt like Chitwood hitting that last jumper. Oh, and the actual little Indiana HS that this movie was based on, Milan, played and won their State Championship at HINKLE FIELD HOUSE in 1954. If you're a Basketball junkie, it's a must visit if near Indy. Ironically Butler Univ itself played the David role 2 years in a row in the NCAA championship game about 15 years ago. After 2 incredible consecutive runs to the Final 4 and the National Championship game, they unfortunately came up short against blue bloods Duke and UConn. Still, quite a story for a pretty small university.

[@steelers6titles]

Perhaps Dennis Hopper's best film performance.

[@kbrewski1]

Ummm, Blue Velvet..

[@williambill5172]

My team for the last 64 years made it to the final game for the first time in 55 years, so this year was amazing for me!

[@Stogie2112]

"Don't get caught watching the paint dry!" Dennis Hopper was a fantastic actor, but I always thought that he was too often cast as a drunk, lunatic or some other "dysfunctional" character. We rarely got to see him be a "normal" guy.

[@charlieeckert4321]

According to the director, the actor playing Ollie was the best shooter on the team. His real life sister was cast as the blonde cheerleader.

[@vincentsaia6545]

I just watched a video of deleted scenes from this movie and you were right about Myra. One scene is at dinner (the follow up to the scene in the movie where Myra's mother invites Norman to dinner) where Myra's mother mentions to Norman that Myra did have a bad experience when she was living in the city.

[@thomast8539]

You know what people often overlook, and I don't mean this as a slam because even I sometimes need to remind myself, is that one kid may appear as the weakest link on a team, but at least he is on the team. What do I really mean? He is putting in the time and devotion to helping his team when others that could be there are not. At least he is showing up, making the effort, practicing and doing all the things. Just a reminder to look beyond the scope of who is making up the team, regardless if it is in sports or elsewhere, and remind ourselves that the team we have and see in action are the people that are doing the hard work to make the team successful.

[@mobyworm]

Sport, struggle, and redemption... powerful combination. Seen it over and over in many films, and it makes me cry every time. It was particularly well done in this one.

[@davemcbroom695]

I never noticed that Deer Lick was substituted for the real town of French Lick Indiana.

[@cfw91491]

Deer Lick was filmed in Brownsburg (west of Indianapolis) at the old high school gymnasium which was demolished in 1990. You can see the Brownsburg school colors of purple and white as well as the team name Bulldogs during that scene. I'm not sure if its the same name/colors at French Lick though.

[@mgwilliams1000]

Great choice, it was fun watching this with you. The supporting cast of characters, the town folk and not just the players, are in my opinion what helped push this story along, it was their team too. Well directed and well played all about.

[@jmuduke99]

My dad was born and raised in Indiana. He played a bunch of his high school basketball games in that gym in the late 50’s. Knightstown, IN

[@AxelFoleyDetroitLions]

The Indiana Pacers and the Pacers fans sometimes wear Hickory jerseys still

[@benrast1755]

One of my favorite movies ever. Part of it is because it reminded me of playing basketball where I grew up. It was the late 80s for me, but it had so much in common with the movie, including the convoy of people from the community following the game bus to away games. And the music is awesome too.

[@marvinsarracino116]

Can't go wrong with a Gene Hackman movie! This is a classic underdog movie! Another Gene Hackman movie to watch/react to is Uncommon Valor with Patrick Swayze. Great reaction Madison thanks for sharing!❤️💛

[@ricardorgomez]

The funniest thing though... There is a scene where Hackman and Hopper were joking around... Hackman was actually saying to Hopper "This movie is going to end our careers". He meant it. Fortunately, it became this classic, masterpiece. It would take time for people to get around seeing it as it was marketed badly. But it's one of my all-time favorites.

[@Stogie2112]

Hugh Jackman? 😉😉

[@orangeandblackattack]

FINALLY! Somebody reacting to this based on true story of the 1954 Milan, IN high school team.

[@raybernal6829]

Such a great sports movie with great acting even from the boys who were actual players. The names of the opposing players on the chalkboard at the finals were the actual names of the actors that played the Hickory team. In my top 10 movies all time. Thanks Madison ❤

[@EricAKATheBelgianGuy]

Until 1998, the Indiana state basketball tournament was "open class," where any small school could beat a big school. You didn't have designations like 1A, 2A, 3A, etc. It was the closest thing to March Madness that you had in high school, and "Hoosier Hysteria" was an appropriate name. The final year of "open class" basketball, in 1997, my high school ended up winning the state title (I wasn't at that school yet, but I was a few years later). Hickory High School was based on a real high school, called Milan High School, located in a town called Milan, in the southeastern part of the state. It has 1,823 people as of the 2020 census. In 1954, when they won the state title, they only had about 1,000 people in the town, and 161 students at the high school. To this day, it remains the smallest high school ever to win the state title in Indiana. They defeated the much larger and heavily favored Muncie Central High School in the state title game, winning the game at the buzzer. They played the game at Hinkle Fieldhouse, home of Butler University, and Butler later became runner up in the NCAA Tournament in two consecutive years, 2010 and 2011.

[@herbie1234567890]

I believe, from what I remember from the extra features on the DVD edition, that the actor who played Ollie-the free throw hero who said he was “no good”-was the actor on the Huskers with the most basketball experience, having played some level of college ball (not D1 or anything, but above-average basketball background). Glad I found your channel-enjoying your reviews.

[@user-cr5mq9lz8r]

So happy you did Hoosiers, not many have done it. What a pleasure this was! You are, by far, my favorite reactor! Your comments during the movies & epilog discussions are so interesting, encompassing, & thought provoking. I always have my fingers crossed that your next reaction is something I've seen! 🙂

[@Estrada72]

Great reaction! Another really good movie starring Gene Hackman is Uncommon Valor. And for more Barbara Hershey is Last of the Dogmen.

[@jamesharper3933]

One of the best feel good movies ever. Gene Hackman is a brilliant actor. He started getting himself thrown out of the games to give Shooter confidence in himself and his ability to lead the team. Jerry Goldsmith started composing for TV and movies back in the 1950's. He has a massive body of work that includes: The Twilight Zone, The Walton's, Planet of the Apes, The Other, Chinatown, Patton, The Omen, Poltergeist, Gremlins, Star Trek movies, Gladiator, The Untouchables and Air Force One. I always look forward to watching movies with you because I watch the expressions on your face and see the emotions you put into your reactions. Not a bunch of lame comments and remarks, but mature and relevant commentary. A couple of Gene Hackman movies to check out are The French Connection and The Conversation. Thanks again for a great reaction.

[@mattb8961]

Gene Hackman is one of my favorite actors. I can’t see this movie being as good if someone else did it.

[@billparrish4385]

On the age gap between Gene Hackman and Barbara Hershey, he was born in 1930, whereas she was born in 1948. So yeah, 18 years is a somewhat larger gap than we're used to for a romantic arc, but not insurmountable.

[@chrispittman8854]

I remember when this came out. I was on Okinawa at a Regional Automated Service Center (RASC 3rd FMF) and the Colonel's wife found out I had been an actor. She talked to me about this movie for TWENTY minutes. When I FINALLY got around to seeing it... I got it. On top of that, my Grandfather was a basketball coach at a similar size High School in the 1950's, so it's pretty special to me.

[@michaelwelsh7362]

You picked one of the best basketball movies for your first one🏀🏀🏀

[@BBCoachNash]

I lived in a small town and my buddies and I drove 100 miles just to get to a theatre so we could see it.

[@scottjo63]

Just recently said that Hackman was a misery to everyone on set, didn't believe in this movie one bit and even told Dennis Hopper that after this movie, their careers were over. When after Hackman saw a rough cut of this movie, he did change his tune and he said to the director, how did you do that.

[@CarolinaCharles777]

Personal opinion. I think Hackman is the finest American actor I've ever seen. I highly recommend Mississippi Burning also.

[@randall-king]

I always loved this movie. Aside from just being an engaging film, the David & Goliath aspect is nice (that it's possible to conquer a seemingly unconquerable enemy even if you're small), the emphasis on basketball fundamentals vs. showy play is welcomed, and the message of discipline & submission to authority is something we're sorely lacking today.

[@johnchrysostomon6284]

Although I am an Aussie, my father was a Hoosier - Clay City, Clay County

[@matthewgallagher1761]

When you see Coach Dan Hurley of the 2 in a row NCAA Champions - UConn Huskies - you are looking at another version of the coach played brilliantly here by Gene Hackman. Same thing. Unselfish basketball. Passing. Setting up shots. When you watched UConn win their title this year, you couldn't name the player who started the rallies. They were a TEAM.

[@minnesotajones261]

Buddy isn't Shooter's kid, that's Everett. Buddy is the one that left the team after the 1st practice. Then he just magically appears later as part of the team again. There was a deleted scene that explained how he came back, wish they left it in. He goes to the farm Coach Dale is living at and apologizes, so the coach gives him a second chance.

[@Stogie2112]

That is a bad omission, to be honest. Otherwise, the film is great.

[@vincentsaia6545]

I don't think there was any hidden secret regarding Myra's attitude toward basketball. She just didn't think it deaerved the degree of importance it was given in the town.

[@markmaley9929]

Actually , the Milan team lost to Crispus Attucks and Oscars younger brother the year before - Oscar’s team won the state 2 years in a row -55 and 56 Milan had a full roster and a young coach Their Jimmy was named Bobby Plump who did hold the ball for 30 seconds and then hit the game winner

[@terryhughes7349]

Well done film. Great reaction. A similar sports film that came out around the same time was "Rudy".

[@kbrewski1]

Same director on both films. Rudy saw Hoosiers and personally lobbied the Director (Anspaugh) for several years to do Rudy until he finally agreed. He wanted that same intimate feel. Rudy came out in 1993.

[@doc_adams8506]

Tgriffin is correct. For the longest time, Indiana high school basketball was classless, meaning every school played for one championship. Although I'm from Kentucky, I appreciated the tradition. Kentucky still plays for one title. The state is divided into 16 regions. The regional tournament winners gather in Lexington at Rupp Arena for five days and decide a single champion. It was sad to me when Indiana abandoned it.

[@kbrewski1]

One of the interesting things is that Indiana is the focal point of 3 great sports related films. HOOSIERS>1986, HS Basketball, based on Milan HS 1954 State Champions RUDY>1993, College Football, based on true story of walk on Rudy Ruettiger at Notre Dame in South Bend, IN BOTH those movies were directed by David Anspaugh. After Rudy R saw Hoosiers, he lobbied Anspaugh to direct his movie story, took several years and he agreed. I think Jerry Goldsmith also did the soundtrack to Rudy. Both movies were shot on site in Indiana. Hoosiers outside scenes and of course the State Championship at Hinkle Field House etc. Rudy was filmed on the campus of Notre Dame, and at 2 actual Notre Dame football games, the Rudy football scenes were shot during halftime of a Notre Dame vs Boston College football game in 1992, thus using crowd shots from an actual crowd. I am not from Indiana, but I went to Notre Dame, so it was my "home" for 4 years. I was a freshman 2 years after Rudy graduated, and there were seniors and juniors who knew Rudy and that's how I heard about the Rudy story long before the movie came out. Ironically, years later, when they were doing some filming for Rudy (unbeknownst to me at the time) at a football game I went to in 1992, I almost got into the Rudy movie myself. A film crew was filming the marching band walkout from the Golden Dome steps to the football stadium, with the cheerleaders leading the way. People milling around the campus kind of line the walkways and watch this. That's what we were doing when I noticed the cheerleaders were wearing 1970s style uniforms, which I recognized since I went to ND starting in 78. I also noticed a group of people dressed in what seemed more like 70s attire nearby as opposed to 1992 era. Later we found out they were filming various game day scenes for a movie, which turned out to be Rudy. We were right on the edge of where the cheerleaders and band was marching by, and we just missed getting into a shot or 2. Yes, I checked the DVD when it came out. As I said in my earlier post, I also have been at BUTLER Hinkle FH and shot some buckets on their iconic floor! Finally, the 3rd INDIANA movie is called BREAKING AWAY, came out in 1979. It is centered around the Indianapolis area where the LITTLE 500 Bike Race is run. That's the subject of Breaking Away. It's kind of a comedy/coming of age buddy film, pretty good flick. A few up and coming future stars, including Dennis Quaid. The Little 500 is a real annual Bike Race.

[@s.henrlllpoklookout5069]

I went to the same high school as the actor who played Jimmy (much later though). He was an athlete in real life, and made the Indianapolis All-City team...for golf

[@steelers6titles]

Barbara Hershey is a good actress. She took the name Barbara Seagull for awhile, because she thought she was inhabited by a seagull or something. She was romantically involved with David Carradine.

[@orangeandblackattack]

there is a reason for 4 passes..remember, no shot clock back then..and those passes are designed to get switches by defense to give you advantage in matchups by keeping them switching to get ur most uncontested shot.

[@kermitcook8498]

My sister's favorite movie of all time. Great watch, Madison. 100 Plus basketball movies out there. Documentary, true life, comedy ,sci-fi, animated. THE PISTOL: BIRTH OF A LEGEND, GLORY ROAD, ONE ON ONE, TEEN WOLF, WHITE MEN CAN'T JUMP. Just a sampling. Gene Hackman coaching football? THE REPLACEMENTS. As a cowboy in a horse race? BITE THE BULLET. Oh, I just had to wrangle and escort one of those jumping spiders back out to my deck. See ya

[@carlbaker7242]

First time watching this. Never took time . Iam very glad I finally did. Gene Hackman . Who's not going to listen to him. Excellent choice of movie's.

[@j.knight9335]

This is a great movie that doesn't get enough play. "My GOSH" My type of girl!

[@dadoleyna]

Browsing your comments, I only see one or two mentions of "Glory Road". This movie tracks the progress of Texas Western University (now UTEP) as their new coach did the unthinkable by recruiting a large number of black players to come play on the same team. Unlike Hoosiers, the names of the actual players and coaches are kept in this movie. It's a bit predictable, but the story is 100% worth hearing....or hearing again.

[@seansersmylie]

This is a classic sports film. You should watch the documentary Hoop Dreams, I'm not from the US and don't even watch basketball but It's fantastic.

[@izzonj]

I was just reading a short article about how Gene Hackman hated making this movie because he thought it would stink and would ruin his career. I think he was quite wrong, but I can see that a lesser director and editor would have failed to make this great.

[@johnscott4196]

If you can find it there is an excellent older basketball movie called "One on One" with Robbie Benson. It's about a high school basketball star recruited to a major college and the shocking transition, and ensuing progress

[@kbrewski1]

No where close as good as Hoosiers. Actually kind of a goofy movie. But some nice shots of a red headed actress I was smitten with back then.

[@yungathart7801]

A wonderful movie and a great reaction. Thanks Madison!