Main Cast: Andre Braugher, Rip Torn, Sean Squire, Ruby Dee, Bill Nunn
Release Year: 1999
Run Time: 90 minutes
MPAA Rating: NR
Plot
Set in the institutionally segregated New Orleans of 1965, the made-for-cable Passing Glory is the story of black priest Father Joseph Verrett (Andre Braugher) and his efforts to arrange the first integrated high-school basketball game in the city's history. Against the wishes of trepid white parish leader Father Robert Grant (Rip Torn), Fr. Verrett encourages the team members of the all-black -- and undefeated -- St. Augustine High School basketball team to prepare to play the equally successful all-white team of Jesuit Prep. Throughout it all, Fr. Verrett must learn to curb his own impatience over the racial status quo, and to keep his own faith afloat. Although some of the scenes are drawn in broad, unsubtle strokes -- especially those involving the bigoted father of Jesuit Prep's best player -- the film is thoroughly credible, right down to the last-second winning basket. Earning extra points for having its heart in the right place, Passing Glory made its TNT cable network bow on February 21, 1999. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Daniel Hugh Kelly - Mike Malone Sr.; Tony Colitti - Mike Malone Jr.; Khalil Kain - Heatwave Hundley; Tony Bond - Clanky; Khaz B. - Boo; Darris Love - Antoine Toussaint; Elimu Nelson - Touche; Damien Dante Wayans - Snow Lurcher; Angela Mills - Thelma Porter; Arthur Agee - Ice Gainsworth; Bill Erwin - The Archbishop; Sharon Blackwood - Sister Marie Claire; Mike Ngaujah - Lil' Rickey; Shawn Shepard - Rod
Credit
Steve James - Director, Paul Seydor - Editor, Patrick Flannery - Editor, Earvin "Magic" Johnson - Executive Producer, Quincy Jones - Executive Producer, David Rosemont - Executive Producer, David Salzman - Executive Producer, Stephen James Taylor - Composer (Music Score), Maxine Shepad - Production Designer, Bill Butler - Cinematographer, Gordon Wolf - Producer, Harold Sylvester - Screenwriter
An angry black priest (Andre Braugher) in 1960s New Orleans goes against the wishes of his parish leader (Rip Torn) as he pushes a basketball game between his unbeaten all-black team and an undefeated all-white prep school team.
This is based on the true story of the first integrated basketball game in the history of New Orleans. The plot follows the events leading up to the game between all-black St. Augustine High School and all-white Jesuit High. It focuses on the struggles that Father Joseph Verette had in trying to pull the game off and trying to earn respect for his team.
Hired as a history teacher, Father Verrett will not let the athletes in his classes be given the special treatment that they've been used to. "I teach history," he informs the headmaster when asked to take over the suddenly vacant position of basketball coach. "I believe sports are overemphasized." Moreover, coming from the North, he can't understand why star black athletes don't go to the best white colleges, as they should. "Down here, 'should' and 'is' is a long ways apart," the dad of the team's star informs him. The film includes many tangible examples of the racism then present. The blacks have to go to a separate "coloreds only" line at fast food outlets, and ordering a meal in the wrong place can and does get you thrown in jail.
