We Are Marshall

PG

Released Dec 22, 2006

2 hr. 7 min.

Drama

List

49%

127 Reviews

Tomatometer

79%

100,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

In 1970, Marshall University and the small town of Huntington, W.Va., reel when a plane crash claims the lives of 75 of the school's football players, staff members and boosters. New coach Jack Lengyel (Matthew McConaughey) arrives on the scene in March 1971, determined to rebuild Marshall's Thundering Herd and heal a grieving community in the process.

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Critics Consensus

Matthew McConaughey almost runs We Are Marshall to the end zone, but can't stop it from taking the easy, feel-good route in memorializing this historic event in American sports.

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Veritas

I love this film. It's a moving story that still brings me to tears, even after several viewings. Matthew McConaughey does a fine job of portraying a somewhat yokelish though irresistibly gung-ho football coach whose leadership and sensitivity succeed in restoring the broken spirit of a small West Virginia college town and what remains of its football team after 75 team members and their coaches are killed in a plane crash, a real life story that occurred in 1970. The movie is in the same genre as Hoosiers, another truly fine film about a small town underdog sports team, that one being about basketball, and will have you rooting and cheering in the same way, and weeping when your guys finally lick their demons and rise from the ashes. The supporting players all do a fine job, particularly David Strathairn and Anthony Mackie. Highly recommended. Small town Americana at its best.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

05/26/23

Full Review

sean m

I attend Marshall University, so this movie hits home for me, but besides some misinformation and things that didn't actually happen, this was a great film!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

dave s

In November 1970, a plane crash killed 75 people associated with the Marshall's Thundering Herd football program, including coaches and a large number of players. We Are Marshall is the account of the aftermath of the horrific tragedy as newly-hired head coach Jack Lengyel (Matthew McConaughey) and his hastily assembled staff recruit a ragtag group of young players to play the game they love and to honor those who were lost. The story is compelling, the football action feels real, and the film's heart is always in the right place, but it sometimes feels as though it's trying too hard to be overly sentimental, most notably in scenes involving inspirational speeches enhanced by a swelling violin score. The most powerful shots are the most unadorned – assistant coach Red Dawson (Matthew Fox) sitting alone in silence in a deserted locker room after the first victory, for example. It is generally a decent film that pays homage to those lost in a terrible tragedy, but it just feels like it is trying too hard most of the time.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Jake S

I have developed a personal and deep hatred for this film, having to attempt to analyze it for school. The narrative is very uninteresting, nothing beyond ordinary is done with camera angles or shot composition and many scenes in the movie only serve to extend it's length. Having to watch this movie once more in order to write an essay for it will be the dullest part of my day.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

10/28/22

Full Review

Audience Member

Matty Mac delivered one of his best performances in this one, did a tremendous job as the coach. Anthony Mackie was great as well. Kate Mara is a good addition to any movie. Not crazy about the performance by Mathew Fox as Red Dawson, but that’s one of the few things I didn’t like. Overall it’s a good cast and a good movie.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/29/22

Full Review

jelisije j

A very heartfelt true tragic story about a community that lost their entire football team through a tragic plane crash and now they must rebuild their team and community.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

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McG

Director

Matthew McConaughey

Jack Lengyel

Matthew Fox

Red Dawson

Ian McShane

Paul Griffin

Anthony Mackie

Nate Ruffin

Kate Mara

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Brian Tallerico

UGO

What allows We Are Marshall to stand above many of the other 2006 sports movies is both the undeniable power of the story itself and the strong ensemble McG gathered to tell it.

Mar 24, 2007

Full Review

Joshua Rothkopf

Time Out

Rated: 2/6

Feb 3, 2007

Full Review

Marrit Ingman

Austin Chronicle

Rated: 2/5

Dec 30, 2006

Full Review

Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

One of 2006's greatest cinematic tragedies.

Rated: 1.5/4.0

Sep 26, 2020

Full Review

Micheal Compton

Bowling Green Daily News

"Marshall" is such an emotionally charged subject matter that the film works -- even if it doesn't always click.

Nov 20, 2019

Full Review

Brandon Fibbs

BrandonFibbs.com

McConaughey campily channels Jon Stewart channeling George W. Bush for his impersonation of Lengyel.

Rated: 5/10

Feb 28, 2008

Full Review

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Synopsis

In 1970, Marshall University and the small town of Huntington, W.Va., reel when a plane crash claims the lives of 75 of the school's football players, staff members and boosters. New coach Jack Lengyel (Matthew McConaughey) arrives on the scene in March 1971, determined to rebuild Marshall's Thundering Herd and heal a grieving community in the process.

Director: McG
Executive Producer: William Fay, Jeanne Allgood, Scott Mednick, Brent O'Connor, Thomas Tull
Screenwriter: Jamie Linden
Distributor: Warner Bros.
Production Co: Thunder Road Productions, Warner Bros., Wonderland Sound and Vision, Legendary Pictures
Rating: PG (Emotional Thematic Material|A Crash Scene|Mild Language)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 22, 2006, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 1, 2009
Box Office (Gross USA): $43.5M
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby SRD, DTS
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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