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The Basket

Play trailer Poster for The Basket PG Released May 5, 1999 1h 44m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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41% Tomatometer 17 Reviews 23% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
A picturesque Pacific Northwest community raising its wheat and children in the midst of a nation reeling from World War I sets the stage for "The Basket." In a time of pain and prejudice woven against a background of beauty, "The Basket" ultimately points to triumph and hope in a changing America. The arrival of a new schoolteacher Martin Conlon (Peter Coyote) sets the town in motion as he introduces a new game called basketball.
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The Basket

Critics Reviews

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Nell Minow Common Sense Media An ambitious, complicated, and thoughtful story. Rated: 4/5 Sep 30, 2010 Full Review Lisa Alspector Chicago Reader Clunky and obvious. Mar 31, 2010 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Rated: 2/5 Oct 1, 2005 Full Review Christopher Null Filmcritic.com Rated: 3.5/5 Jan 18, 2005 Full Review Ken Hanke Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC) Needs to bore a hole in itself and let the sap run out. Rated: 2/5 Mar 18, 2003 Full Review Philip Martin Arkansas Democrat-Gazette ... a couple of pleasing performances and some truly wonderful cinematography Rated: B Jul 31, 2002 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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steve d Cute but completely forgettable. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member A clean movie that explores prejudice against Germans during WWI in a farming community. It shows how a community can come together and how prejudice can be overcome. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/20/23 Full Review Audience Member An inspiring sports movie. Just what I need! Just maybe not this one... Stale performances and one of the worst movie accents of all-time by Peter Coyote, 'Basket' ends up being uninspiring in its attempt to inspire. Sure, you get a good message out of it but at what cost? Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/17/23 Full Review Audience Member This film has a good message, but it could have used a good director, a good script, and a handful of good actors. Sorry, Mr. Coyote, but this one is nothing to howl about. A nice idea, but clumsily produced and full of sentimentality. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/09/23 Full Review Audience Member Nice, heart warming movie with a good message to all . Young Eric Dane does a really great job. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/07/23 Full Review Audience Member An average movie showing how mean people can be, how war is psychological horrific and yet forgiveness and love overcomes. Was waiting for feel good moments but they never came. The irony is the last lesson on the story and it wasn't honesty or being winners that pays its gambling against the spread. A side note Robert Burke who played Helmut Brink went on to become the youngest filmmaker ever to have a film accepted into the Seattle International Film Festival. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/11/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Basket

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Cast & Crew

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Rich Cowan

Director

Peter Coyote

Martin Conlon

Karen Allen

Bessie Emery

Robert Burke

Helmut Brink

Amber Willenborg

Brigitta Brink

Jock MacDonald

Nicholas Emery

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The Basket

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Movie Info

Synopsis A picturesque Pacific Northwest community raising its wheat and children in the midst of a nation reeling from World War I sets the stage for "The Basket." In a time of pain and prejudice woven against a background of beauty, "The Basket" ultimately points to triumph and hope in a changing America. The arrival of a new schoolteacher Martin Conlon (Peter Coyote) sets the town in motion as he introduces a new game called basketball.
Director
Rich Cowan
Producer
Rich Cowan
Screenwriter
Don Caron, Rich Cowan, Frank Swoboda, Tessa Swoboda
Production Co
Privileged Communication, North by Northwest Entertainment
Rating
PG (Brief Language|Some Mild Violence)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
May 5, 1999, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Feb 7, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$609.0K
Runtime
1h 44m
Sound Mix
Dolby Digital, Dolby SR
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