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When the Game Stands Tall

Play trailer Poster for When the Game Stands Tall PG 2014 1h 55m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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21% Tomatometer 68 Reviews 72% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
In 2003, high-school football coach Bob Ladouceur and his De La Salle Spartans had just completed an incredible 151 consecutive victories and 12-straight state championships. While the team's seniors receive offers from colleges all over the country, the advancing juniors look forward to making their mark. However, beloved "Coach Lad" has a brush with calamity, while the Spartans face their most-challenging, most-unpredictable season yet.
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When the Game Stands Tall

When the Game Stands Tall

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Critics Consensus

An uneasy blend of solid game sequences and threadbare inspirational sports drama clichés, When the Game Stands Tall is overshadowed by better players in a crowded field.

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Critics Reviews

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Bilge Ebiri New York Magazine/Vulture 08/22/2014
The real-life story behind When the Game Stands Tall sounds amazing. But for all its exciting sports scenes, the movie version falls flat as drama. Go to Full Review Susan Wloszczyna RogerEbert.com 08/22/2014
2/4
Most often in its early stages, the melodrama onscreen edges precipitously close to dissolving into a puddle of platitudinous pabulum served in the manner of a rote Sunday school lesson. Go to Full Review Steven D. Greydanus National Catholic Register 08/22/2014
C+
A faith-friendly sports film that's more interested in extolling character than in developing characters. Go to Full Review Richard Crouse Richard Crouse 02/01/2021
2/5
For football fans the movie brings a famous story to life. For the rest of us it plays like an after school special with better production value. Go to Full Review Richard Propes TheIndependentCritic.com 09/27/2020
3.0/4.0
One of the better inspirational sports stories to come along in recent years. Go to Full Review Allen Almachar The MacGuffin 07/20/2020
C-
The finished product did not do enough to make me forget this is another typical sports film. It felt generic, recycled, and forgettable. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Jordan S. @jswez Jan 23 Decent family-friendly movie and one of the more accurate portrayals of high school football, but I still found some moments slightly cheesy. See more Jenn K @LenaLuthor Jan 21 Ok I just saw this movie the other day on Netflix and I absolutely loved it! I'm now watching it for the 3rd time. I think Thai movie is incredible! Then I looked up and the reviews and ratings weren't good - I don't understand why!!?? It's a perfect effort from snap to whistle. It's not about football for those who say - not enough football . I only created this account to leave a review The movie is great! I bought it. Right up there with Remember The Titans :) See more thiago s @Thiagostone Nov 4 Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom See more Ed R @JustcallmeER Sep 26 One of the most inspirational movies you'll ever watch, whether it be sports related or not. See more Daniel D @Ddelatorre1994 03/08/2025 I have heard of the book by Pat Hayes, but have not read it, I saw this film in the theater with my brother and my parents, when it came out and it almost instantly became one of my favorite movies, even though I wasn't one to go to movie theaters, the scene where Terence was shot and killed by Darren, even though I didn't cry, still kind of got to me. The fact that it happened just before Terence was supposed to move out of state, and move away from Richmond, to Eugene. It kind of made me think of my hometown, by comparison (I grew up in Los Angeles, and the criticism that the city gets for being seen by people who live outside of the city) in my opinion, I like how they combined two CIF sections, the North Coast, & the Southern Sections into this movie. See more High F @RT84328406 01/06/2025 The movie is a winner and leaves you feeling refreshed. I hope all my friends get to experience this movie. See more Read all reviews
When the Game Stands Tall

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Thomas Carter

Director

Jim Caviezel

Bob Ladouceur

Michael Chiklis

Terry Eidson

Alexander Ludwig

Chris Ryan

Clancy Brown

Mickey Ryan

Laura Dern

Bev Ladouceur

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When the Game Stands Tall

Michael Chiklis (left) as Terry Eidson in "When the Games Stands Tall." (L-R) Jim Caviezel as Bob Ladouceur and Alexander Ludwig as Chris Ryan in "When the Game Stands Tall." Alexander Ludwig as Chris Ryan in "When the Game Stands Tall." Jim Caviezel as Bob Ladouceur in "When the Game Stands Tall." A scene from "When the Game Stands Tall." (L-R) Matthew Daddario as Danny Ladouceur, Jim Caviezel as Bob Ladouceur and Alexander Ludwig as Chris Ryan in "When the Game Stands Tall." (L-R) Matthew Daddario as Danny Ladouceur and Alexander Ludwig as Chris Ryan in "When the Game Stands Tall." A scene from "When the Game Stands Tall." A scene from "When the Game Stands Tall." Michael Chiklis as Terry Eidson in "When the Game Stands Tall." View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In 2003, high-school football coach Bob Ladouceur and his De La Salle Spartans had just completed an incredible 151 consecutive victories and 12-straight state championships. While the team's seniors receive offers from colleges all over the country, the advancing juniors look forward to making their mark. However, beloved "Coach Lad" has a brush with calamity, while the Spartans face their most-challenging, most-unpredictable season yet.
Director
Thomas Carter
Producer
David Zelon
Screenwriter
Scott Marshall Smith
Distributor
Sony Pictures Entertainment
Production Co
Mandalay Sports Media
Rating
PG (Brief Smoking|A Scene of Violence|Thematic Material)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 22, 2014, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 25, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA)
$30.1M
Runtime
1h 55m
Sound Mix
SDDS, Dolby Digital, DTS