The Express

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The Express

PG

2008

2h 9m

Biography

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

63%

Tomatometer

118 Reviews

75%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

Born into poverty, Ernie Davis (Rob Brown) overcomes many obstacles to get into Syracuse University's football program. Under the guidance of Coach Ben Schwartzwalder (Dennis Quaid), Davis becomes one of the school's best players, even surpassing Jim Brown's achievements. In 1961 Davis becomes the first black player to win the Heisman Trophy, but there is one more obstacle in his life that he must overcome.

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Critics Consensus

The Express crosses the goal line as an inspirational sports drama, although fans of the genre will recognize many -- if not most -- of its clichés.

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William Thomas

Empire Magazine

While never as trailblazing as its subject, The Express is a worthy addition to the lengthy canon of sports biopics.

Rated: 3/5

Dec 5, 2008

Full Review

Wally Hammond

Time Out

The sports-movie template is capable of absorbing any story and delivering the same uplift.

Rated: 3/6

Dec 5, 2008

Full Review

Wendy Ide

The Times (UK)

Full of stirring speeches and manly chins quivering with emotion, every frame is a cliché.

Rated: 2/5

Dec 5, 2008

Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

The formulaic presentation and stereotypical structure to this motivational sports drama doesn't provide an appropriately engaging platform to tell Davis' story.

Rated: 6/10

Nov 28, 2020

Full Review

Leigh Paatsch

Herald Sun (Australia)

Administers a strong dose of well-earned outrage at what men of colour had to go through to get to places their white counterparts reached with ease.

Rated: 3/5

Sep 11, 2020

Full Review

Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

The always dependable Charles S. Dutton turns in another fine performance.

Rated: 3.0/4.0

Sep 7, 2020

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Ed R

An incredible inspirational true story of Ernie Davis and his upbringing!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/30/25

Full Review

Jay W

"The Express" is a film about Ernie Davis, a football legend who was the first African American to win the Heisman Trophy. The movie may be cheesy at times, and like any "true story" movie it takes some creative liberties. But a film like this should be a little cheesy and there should be some extra drama. The acting is all good, you completely lose the actors in the performance. Dennis Quaid, Rob Brown, and look at that even Chadwick Boseman shows up, all do a great job. It's a good Sports movie intermixed with some racial drama and all is done well in a very tight no nonsense presentation.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

12/01/24

Full Review

Audience Member

Would have worked better if presented more as a Biopic than as a Sports Drama. It's good, with all of the typical clichés you'd expect, but with the dose of positive change and overcoming challenges that just make it all feel good! Overall, an insight into Davis and his huge achievements. Imagining what more he would have done if he'd lived longer, is a humbling thought

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Man's inhumanity to man is seen in all its ugliness! I didn't know Mr. Davis' story. The US has So much restitution to make up for! One man of the 2020's took a knee for all of us! He took it for Davis to thank him for his efforts in the 1950's-1960's. We all have to do our part!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/23/23

Full Review

r b

This was a great film with a very well told inspiring and tragic true story.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

An extraordinary football film with Dennis Quaid as a great coach and Rob Brown as a great player.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/12/23

Full Review

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Gary Fleder

Director

Dennis Quaid

Ben Schwartzwalder

Rob Brown

Ernie Davis

Clancy Brown

Roy Simmons

Omar Miller

Jack Buckley

Charles S. Dutton

Willie 'Pops' Davis

The Express: Official Clip - Ernie Davis Collapses

1:31

The Express: Official Clip - Winning The Cotton Bowl

3:57

The Express: Official Clip - Ernie Davis Meets Floyd Little

2:48

The Express: Official Clip - Jim Brown Scouts Ernie Davis

1:53

The Express: Official Clip - Syracuse vs. Texas Longhorns Cottonbowl Game

2:50

The Express: Official Clip - Football Players in Love

2:51

The Express: Official Clip - Ernie & Sarah

1:44

The Express: Official Clip - There Won't Be Another Ernie Davis

3:42

The Express: Official Clip - Ernie Davis' Stand

3:05

The Express: Official Clip - The Heisman Trophy

3:18

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Synopsis

Born into poverty, Ernie Davis (Rob Brown) overcomes many obstacles to get into Syracuse University's football program. Under the guidance of Coach Ben Schwartzwalder (Dennis Quaid), Davis becomes one of the school's best players, even surpassing Jim Brown's achievements. In 1961 Davis becomes the first black player to win the Heisman Trophy, but there is one more obstacle in his life that he must overcome.

Director: Gary Fleder
Producer: Adam Coplan, John Davis
Screenwriter: Charles Leavitt
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Davis Entertainment
Rating: PG (Language Involving Racism|Brief Sensuality|Thematic Content|Violence)
Genre: Biography, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 10, 2008, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 11, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $9.6M
Runtime: 2h 9m

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