Great movie stories jump to a new level of mythology each time you’re able to switch off the DVD player, turn to the kids, and say, “You know, that was all true.”
At least most of it was where the sports classic “Hoosiers” is concerned. “Hoosiers” changes the name of a tiny, basketball- crazed Indiana town from Milan to Hickory, but the most important details unreel as they actually happened in this winning heart-stopper from 1986.
A school with only 73 students truly did take its boys basketball team all the way to the state championship game in 1954, beating the largest city powerhouses at a time when Indiana had only one classification. Thanks to an understated, spot-on performance by Gene Hackman as a troubled coach, “Hoosiers” recreates those glory days with a minimum of schmaltz.
There are some nice filming touches you’d never notice: The movie’s championship game was shot in the same big barn of a gym that hosted the real final three decades before. The coach of the big-city school that Hickory plays in the final is played by Ray Crowe, who coached Indiana teams in the 1950s. The year after Milan won, Crowe led the first all-black team to the state championship.
Each Tuesday, Michael Booth uncovers a movie gem for rewarding family entertainment. Reach him at mbooth@denverpost.com; find the Screen Team blog at denverpostbloghouse.com.
“Hoosiers” Rated | PG for mild violence, adult situations Most appealing | 7 or older
