Remember the Titans is an American sports drama, directed by Boaz Yakin and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer for Walt Disney Pictures, released in 2000. The film stars Denzel Washington as coach Herman Boone and Ryan Hurst as Gary Bertier. Remember the Titans centers on the American football team of the newly integrated T. C. Williams High School in Alexandria, Virginia. Although based on a true story, events in the film are largely exaggerated, especially those pertaining to initial racial tensions within the team, as well as the level of opposition the Titans faced.[1]
Plot
In 1971, at the old desegregated T. C. Williams High School, Herman Boone (Denzel Washington), also derogatorily known as Coach "Coon" by racist elements at the time due to his African-American background, is hired as head coach for the school's football team. He takes the place promised to former head coach Bill Yoast (Will Patton). Yoast at first refuses Boone's offer as the assistant head coach, but then changes his mind after his white players pledge to boycott if he doesn't coach.
The black and white members of the football team clash in racially-motivated conflicts on a few occasions while at football camp but, after forceful coaxing and team building efforts by Coach Boone, the team manages to achieve some form of unity, as well as success. Boone makes the camp quite rigorous; when the bus is leaving for the camp all members are instructed to wear a shirt and tie; anyone not doing so will watch the season and not compete. At the camp, anybody who displays any misconduct at practice is instructed to run a mile. One time during camp, Coach Boone wakes up the players at 3:00 am to run through the woods to end up at a Civil War battleground where he delivers a stirring speech on why that war was fought ("the same fight we are still having today").
After returning from camp, Boone is told by a member of the school board that if he loses even one game, he gets fired, putting more pressure on himself. The Titans go through the season undefeated while battling the racial prejudice that was then typical of, though not exclusive to, the American South, and then slowly gain joint support from the community.
The main conflict is taken to a personal level by the portrayal of the conflict between Gerry Bertier (Ryan Hurst) and Julius Campbell (Wood Harris), two players of equally outstanding athletic ability from different ethnic backgrounds. At first they can't stand one another but eventually become sworn brothers. (The turning point of their relationship becomes a focal point for the team as its racially divided ways give way to true unity.)
Just before the state semi-finals, Yoast is presented as a candidate for the state high school Hall of Fame, and the board tells Yoast that he will be inducted after the Titans lose their game. During the game, it becomes apparent that the board ordered the officials to fix the game against the Titans, and after seeing his daughter upset at the horrible calls, Yoast warns the head official that he will go public unless the game is called fairly. The Titans end up winning, but Yoast is told afterwards that he will not be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
All-American player Gerry is paralyzed from the waist down in an automobile accident while celebrating after the game. Although Gerry is no longer able to play, the team goes on to win the championship, setting an example for the town in the process. The football team wins the AAA State championship game in Roanoke and is first runner-up in the national championship. Gerry later goes on to win a gold medal in the shot put event at the Paralympic Games. Ten years later, the team reunites at the end of the film to attend Gerry's funeral, after his death in another automobile accident.
Cast
Score
Trevor Rabin composed the instrumental score, of which "Titans Spirit" was the only cue (of 12 composed) added to the soundtrack. "Titans Spirit" was a rousing seven-minute exploration of the movie's energetic themes. It is used presently on many sports telecasts, particularly those on NBC, which has the score during its closing credits Olympic Games (Salt Lake 2002, Athens 2004, Torino 2006 and Beijing 2008) as well as with the final closing credits montage for their 12-year run with the NBA in 2002. The song was also played as veteran New York Mets players crossed home plate during the closing ceremonies at Shea Stadium.
It was also used during the 2008 Democratic National Convention to accompany the celebration and fireworks at Invesco Field after President Barack Obama gave his nomination acceptance speech, and also at Chicago's Grant Park immediately following Obama's victory speech upon winning the 2008 presidential election.[2]
Production
Locations
The film crew used several locations around metro Atlanta for filming. These included Druid Hills High School, Shamrock Middle School, Paulding County High School,[3] the city square in Covington, GA, Newton County's Sharp Stadium, Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, the Grady High School gym, and the stadiums of Sprayberry High School in Marietta and Etowah High School in Woodstock, Georgia. The film also used Berry College in Rome, Georgia, the football practice field of Clarkston High School, Stone Mountain parking lot for the bus leaving scene and Victory Stadium in Roanoke, Virginia.
The Perry High School Pride of the Crossroads Band from Perry, Georgia, played the T.C. Williams High School band.
Reception
Remember the Titans received generally positive reviews from the critics. Rotten Tomatoes gave the movie 71% freshness rating from 126 reviews.[4] However, some critics have complained the story being too "predictable" perhaps because it was only "based" on a true story. The movie grossed $115,654,751 in the U.S. box office alone, earning $136,706,683 worldwide.[5]
Awards and nominations
Angel Awards
BET Awards
Black Reel Awards
Blockbuster Entertainment Awards
Casting Society of America
- 2001
- Nominated- Best Casting for Feature Film, Drama- (Ronna Kress)
Image Awards
- 2001
- Won- Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture- (Denzel Washington)
- Won- Outstanding Motion Picture
- Nominated- Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture- (Wood Harris)
- Nominated- Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture- (Nicole Ari Parker)
- Nominated- Outstanding Youth Actor/Actress (Krysten Leigh Jones)
Las Vegas Film Critics Society Awards
Phoenix Film Critics Society Awards
- 2001
- Nominated- Best Performance by a Youth in a Leading or Supporting Role (Hayden Panettiere)
Political Film Society
- 2001
- Won- Human Rights
- Nominated- Exposé
Satellite Awards
- 2001
- Nominated- Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama (Denzel Washington)
Teen Choice Awards
- 2001
- Nominated- Film - Choice Drama/Action Adventure
Young Artist Awards
- 2001
- Won- Best Performance in a Feature Film - Supporting Young Actress (Hayden Panettiere)
- Nominated- Best Family Feature Film - Drama
References
External links
