Hoosiers

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Hoosiers

PG

Released Nov 14, 1986

1h 54m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

91%

Tomatometer

46 Reviews

88%

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50,000+ Ratings

Failed college coach Norman Dale (Gene Hackman) gets a chance at redemption when he is hired to direct the basketball program at a high school in a tiny Indiana town. After a teacher (Barbara Hershey) persuades star player Jimmy Chitwood to quit and focus on his long-neglected studies, Dale struggles to develop a winning team in the face of community criticism for his temper and his unconventional choice of assistant coach: Shooter (Dennis Hopper), a notorious alcoholic.

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Critics Consensus

It may adhere to the sports underdog formula, but Hoosiers has been made with such loving craft, and features such excellent performances, that it's hard to resist.

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Chris Stuckmann

ChrisStuckmann.com

This film has so much heart. Every time I watch it, I am on the verge of tears for almost the entire runtime.

Rated: A

Feb 17, 2021

Full Review

Steven D. Greydanus

Decent Films

The filmmakers are at the top of their game.

Rated: A-

Oct 29, 2008

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Richard Schickel

TIME Magazine

Hackman is wonderful as an inarticulate man tense with the struggle to curb a flaring, mysterious anger.

Aug 1, 2008

Full Review

Mitchell Beaupre

Paste Magazine

Dennis Hopper was totally clean and sober at this point in his life, and with that clarity and his practice in sense memory he could tap into his own experiences to make Shooter a real, fleshed-out human being.

Rated: 6/10

Sep 23, 2022

Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

There are quite a number of practicing and shooting and gameplay montages, but it's actually the character interactions that remain most stirring.

Rated: 7/10

Jan 2, 2022

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Much of its appeal comes courtesy of Gene Hackman, whose work here -- a canny mix of aw-shucks bluster and below-the-surface slyness -- was a warm-up for the career-best performance he would deliver two years later in Mississippi Burning.

Rated: 3.5/4

Jun 7, 2021

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David M

Cloying? Perhaps. Nostalgic? Certainly; and, proudly, authentically and gloriously so. A great, amongst the very best, of sports movies, it tugs hard at the heart and our shared belief in the transcendent moments that make sport. And, if that’s not enough, you have Gene Hackman, Dennis Harper and (who doesn’t love) Barbara Hershey, to boot. A Friday Night Lights for Indiana basketball - it’s spiritual home. It is for basketball what The Natural is for baseball - stirring, heroic, romantic, and earnest without a trace of cynicism. And, for those asserting, understandably, that it feels formulaic, please note that it’s based loosely on the very true story of Indiana’s Milan High School’s 1954 basketball team, which won the Indiana state championship against Muncie Central High School - a school TEN times its size. In the case of Milan and Hickory, to echo the script: “ And David put his hand in the bag and took out a stone and slung it, and struck the Philistine on the head, and he fell to the ground.” This is not just a movie for basketball fans, or sports fans; it is a heartwarming and inspiring film for anyone who loves well-crafted and heartfelt movies. Very much recommended.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/28/24

Full Review

Donald L

One of my all time favorite movies. I have watched it over and over again since 1986 and I am watching it again today lol. Love under dog movies.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/17/24

Full Review

Leaburn O

A solid sports drama and a disturbing reminder of how small town America and high school sports works in the US. Bought this one on Prime as a rental as DVD costs a fortune in the UK and not in free streaming. It was part of the top 10 sports films as nominated by the AFI.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/17/23

Full Review

Matthew N

Outstanding movie, Hackman and Hopper were great together. Showed what a lot of kids went through and still do to this day especially in smaller schools. And if you went to a small school and loved basketball this movie is an absolute must watch for any age group.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/30/23

Full Review

Dean C

I dont know why it's taken 34 years for me to watch this. Brilliant characters, great performances by Hopper and Hackman and an inspiring film about my favourite sport of Basketball.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/08/23

Full Review

Bryan B

Dennis Hopper, Gene Hackman. Hard not to like any movie they are in. They are always great even if the movie is mediocre. This movie is worth watching if you like sports related movies.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/07/23

Full Review

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David Anspaugh

Director

Gene Hackman

Coach Norman Dale

Barbara Hershey

Myra Fleener

Dennis Hopper

Shooter

Sheb Wooley

Cletus

Fern Persons

Opal Fleener

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Hoosiers: Official Clip - Coach Meets His Team

1:58

Hoosiers: Official Clip - Measuring the Massive Gym

1:54

Hoosiers: Official Clip - God Wants You on the Floor

1:01

Hoosiers: Official Clip - Benching Rade on Principle

2:09

Hoosiers: Official Clip - Jimmy's Final Shot

2:13

Hoosiers: Official Clip - Shooter Runs the Picket Fence

2:09

Hoosiers: Official Clip - David and Goliath

2:08

Hoosiers: Official Clip - Coach Offers Shooter a Job

2:07

Hoosiers: Official Clip - Ollie Sinks His Free Throws

2:14

Hoosiers: Official Clip - Your Coaching Days Are Over

1:50

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Synopsis

Failed college coach Norman Dale (Gene Hackman) gets a chance at redemption when he is hired to direct the basketball program at a high school in a tiny Indiana town. After a teacher (Barbara Hershey) persuades star player Jimmy Chitwood to quit and focus on his long-neglected studies, Dale struggles to develop a winning team in the face of community criticism for his temper and his unconventional choice of assistant coach: Shooter (Dennis Hopper), a notorious alcoholic.

Director: David Anspaugh
Producer: Angelo Pizzo, Carter DeHaven
Screenwriter: Angelo Pizzo
Distributor: Orion Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc.
Production Co: Hemdale Film Corporation [us]
Rating: PG
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 14, 1986, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 20, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $25.8M
Runtime: 1h 54m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo

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