In 1966 Don Haskins (Josh Lucas) changed the game of NCAA Division-I basketball forever. At the helm of the Texas Western Miners basketball Haskins was in charge of not only improving the basketball program but providing it longevity. So, Haskins did something unheard of, he recruited an unprecedented number of black players to play for him in El Paso, Texas. Record-setting players such as Bobby Joe Hill (Derek Luke), Jerry Armstrong (Austin Nichols), David Lattin (Schin A.S. Kerr), and Harry Flournoy (Mehcad Brooks) joined Haskins on his way down Glory Road, and their story will forever remain in the history books.
Glory Road is a story about race during a time period when racism riddled the south. However, the heart and soul of the story, regardless of race’s role, centers on the true story of the Texas Western basketball team and their trust in one another on the road to success. The story of the 1966 college season is one that will remain in the history books for all eternity as, for the first time ever, a starting five consisting of all black players took the court, essentially breaking the color barrier in college basketball. While the story is true, breathtaking, and one that is able to resonate with viewers, it’s almost always necessary to stretch the truth to some degree in order to make the film better appeal to those in Hollywood. Glory Road is a story, however, that appeals to the masses without the major changes that are typically seen. Writers Christopher Cleveland and Bettina Gilois, along with director James Gartner, stick so closely to the script that even the scores remain the same. No fluffing is needed for Glory Road to find success, just the cold, hard facts.
The story itself is breathtaking and appeals to anyone with an affinity for sports. Their journey from zero to hero (collectively) is a story that most are able to get behind, especially given the string of obstacles that the team must overcome in order to succeed. Glory Road, furthermore, teaches viewers to remember that literally anything is possible with a level head, a little elbow grease, and a series of individuals to have your back. It’s hard to look at the film and come away with nothing positive, as, again, it appeals to the masses simply through its feel good story.
Casting for a non-fictional film more often than not sees individuals that only slightly resemble the real thing. They may have a physical characteristic or two in common with the real-life individual, but there always seems to be some sort of disconnect between the reality and the film. Much like the story, however, the actors included in Glory Road nearly mirror their respective historic figures. They look similar in stature, facial features, physical prowess, etc., and allow viewers to feel like they were there, in the 60’s, watching the games unfold. The actors tasked with bringing these individuals to life were exceptional in their approach and left nothing on the court. They clearly gave their all and were triumphant as a result.
To further bring the experiences of the games to life, cinematographers Jeffrey L. Kimball and John Toon shoot a majority of Glory Road to look like the live version of the sport. The camera frequently moves as if it were being filmed from the stands during the action and the often shaky nature of the lens imitates the rumble of the crowd and the intensity that each player would have felt during the game. The filming methods seem unorthodox, but they work brilliantly as a way to engage viewers and pull them further into the story and the action.
Glory Road feels essential to the overall scope of sports films. It falls in line with some of the greats, including Remember the Titans, Brian’s Song, and Invincible, as it depicts a true story that resonates with viewers around the world. As the story unfolds and the many actors that are a part of the heartwarming story bring these characters to life once more, viewers can’t help but to feel connected to every aspect and hang on to Haskins’ and the rest of the team’s every word. There are moments that are horrifying and instances that will make you laugh, making viewers run the gamut of emotion. Glory Road is a feel-good story of perseverance with which the world is able to relate.
Directed by James Gartner.
Written by Christopher Cleveland & Bettina Gilois.
Starring Josh Lucas, Derek Luke, Austin Nichols, Jon Voight, Evan Jones, Schin A.S. Kerr, Alphonso McAuley, Mehcad Brooks, Sam Jones III, Damaine Radcliff, Emily Deschanel, Al Shearer, etc.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐½/10
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