Hoosiers [WS/P&S]

Overview

Hoosiers may be one of the most loved sports films, but it has not received the attention it deserves on DVD. Originally released on DVD by Live Entertainment (now Artisan), then acquired by MGM, this disc is lacking in many ways. The image, framed at the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1, is an anamorphic transfer and shows a fair amount of grain. Still, even with the grain, the image holds up quite well, especially in the use of color. Reds, prominent throughout the film, are solid and really stand out. The sound, a Dolby Digital Surround mix, is centered up front, but is recorded far too low. It's necessary to turn up the volume in order to hear dialogue, but needs to be lowered when the rousing music begins. The only soundtrack is in English. Closed captions are available in only English. As for extras, there aren't very many. There is only a trailer, which is a real shame, as a commentary or a documentary on actual Indiana high school basketball would be a real treat. It is hard not to love this film, but one is saddened that more could not be done for the disc.

Product Details

Release Date:	02/29/2000
UPC:	0027616801821
Original Release:	1986
Rating:	PG
Source:	STUDIO DISTRIBUTION SERVS LLC
Region Code:	1
Presentation:	[Full Frame, Wide Screen]
Sound:	[monaural, Dolby Digital]
Language:	English
Time:	1:51:00

Special Features

Collectible booklet; Original theatrical trailer

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Gene Hackman	Coach Norman Dale
Dennis Hopper	Wilbur Shooter Flatch
Barbara Hershey	Myra Fleener
Sheb Wooley	Cletus
Fern Persons	Opal Fleener
Chelcie Ross	George
Robert Swan	Rollin
Maris Valainis	Jimmy Chitwood
Scott Summer	Strap
Wade Schenk	Ollie
Kent Poole	Merle
Brad Long	Buddy
Brad Boyle	Whit
Steve Hollar	Rade
David Neidorf	Everett
Michael O'Guinne	Rooster
Wil Dewitt	Mr. Doty
John Robert Thompson	Sheriff Finley
Gloria Dorsen	Millie
Michael Sassone	Preacher Purl
Mike Dalzell	Carl
Eric Gilliom	J. June
Laura Robling	Loetta
Wade Schenck	Ollie
Scott Summers	Strap
Gloria Dorson	Millie
Sam Smiley	Referee - Cedar Knob
Ken Strunk	Referee - Dugger
Rich Komenich	Reporter
Robert Sutton	Reporter
Robert F. Boyle	Referee - Oolitic
John E. Blazier	Spectator
Jerry Goldsmith	Composer

Technical Credits

Angelo Pizzo

Alvin Sargent

David Anspaugh	Director
Angelo Pizzo	Screenwriter,Producer
John Daly	Executive Producer,Producer
Carter DeHaven III	Producer
Derek Gibson	Executive Producer,Producer
Graham Henderson	Producer
Alvin Sargent	Screenwriter
Ernie F. Orsatti	Stunts

Scene Index

Side #1-- WIDESCREEN
0. Scene Selections
1. Logo/ Main Title. [:04]
2. Anything But Friendly. [4:19]
3. About Jimmy. [3:09]
4. The Heavy Hand. [1:19]
5. Dismissing George... . [2:56]
6. And Two More. [1:44]
7. Meeting Shooter. [5:25]
8. Jimmy. [1:15]
9. The Rally. [4:00]
10. First Game. [3:47]
11. 2nd Half/4 Players. [5:01]
12. Dinner Invitation. [3:56]
13. Late Night Visit. [3:29]
14. Gorillas In The Mix. [2:27]
15. The Proposition. [3:40]
16. A New Assistant. [3:08]
17. Referendum To Remove. [1:22]
18. Passing To Shooter. [2:12]
19. Unexpected Support. [1:39]
20. The Referendum. [1:46]
21. A Brand New Game. [4:24]
22. "Kick Me Out!." [2:33]
23. On Court, Off Wagon. [4:30]
24. Shooter Takes A Fall. [4:39]
25. "The Best You Can Be." [2:30]
26. God's Plan For Strap. [4:11]
27. Dale's Plan For Ollie. [2:03]
28. A Walk In The Woods. [5:13]
29. Facing The Press. [2:53]
30. Visiting Dad. [1:00]
31. Butler Fieldhouse. [2:25]
32. "Win This One For...." [3:57]
33. An Early Lead. [2:25]
34. Evening It Up. [2:05]
35. "I'll Make It." [4:42]
36. End Credits. [4:25]
Side #2-- STANDARD
0. Scene Selections
1. Logo/ Main Title. [:04]
2. Anything But Friendly. [4:19]
3. About Jimmy. [3:09]
4. The Heavy Hand. [1:19]
5. Dismissing George... . [2:56]
6. And Two More. [1:44]
7. Meeting Shooter. [5:25]
8. Jimmy. [1:15]
9. The Rally. [4:00]
10. First Game. [3:47]
11. 2nd Half/4 Players. [5:01]
12. Dinner Invitation. [3:56]
13. Late Night Visit. [3:29]
14. Gorillas In The Mix. [2:27]
15. The Proposition. [3:40]
16. A New Assistant. [3:08]
17. Referendum To Remove. [1:22]
18. Passing To Shooter. [2:12]
19. Unexpected Support. [1:39]
20. The Referendum. [1:46]
21. A Brand New Game. [4:24]
22. "Kick Me Out!." [2:33]
23. On Court, Off Wagon. [4:30]
24. Shooter Takes A Fall. [4:39]
25. "The Best You Can Be." [2:30]
26. God's Plan For Strap. [4:11]
27. Dale's Plan For Ollie. [2:03]
28. A Walk In The Woods. [5:13]
29. Facing The Press. [2:53]
30. Visiting Dad. [1:00]
31. Butler Fieldhouse. [2:25]
32. "Win This One For...." [3:57]
33. An Early Lead. [2:25]
34. Evening It Up. [2:05]
35. "I'll Make It." [4:42]
36. End Credits. [4:25]

Menu

Side #1-- WIDESCREEN
   Play
      New Menu Item
   Languages
   Theatrical Trailer
Side #2-- STANDARD
   Play
      New Menu Item
   Languages
   Theatrical Trailer

Editorial Reviews

Nothing moves the sports purist like the charge of the underdog. The more improbable, the better. And in Hoosiers, director David Anspaugh's wonderful celebration of the sporting spirit, a small-town Indiana high school basketball team comes out of nowhere and, against all odds, makes it all the way to the state finals. (The fact that it's based on true story from 1954 gives this "Rocky" story a little extra punch.) Washed-up college coach Norman Dale (Gene Hackman) and basketball nut/town drunk Shooter (Dennis Hopper) lead a ragtag collection mostly of farm boys, to glory. Along the way, they find a higher meaning to life and realize they can accomplish far more than they had ever imagined. Although the theme here is an old one, the film is enlivened both by Hackman's artistry and by Hopper's touching performance -- one that earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor in a Supporting Role.

Barnes & Noble - Charles Salzberg

No matter the quality of the film or its box office success, Gene Hackman has been one of the most consistently interesting actors since 1969's Bonnie and Clyde. In the decidedly straightforward Hoosiers, he could have played his role as written and gotten away with a cliched characterization. As usual, though, he brings a genuine human complexity to his single-minded basketball coach with something to hide. It's somewhat similar to one of Hackman's greatest roles, Harry Caul in The Conversation: both men are fish out of water unless surrounded by what they know, whether sound equipment or basketballs. Hackman keeps the film's other elements in the realm of believability. The "unknown" segment of the cast -- the townspeople and the team -- are also remarkably natural, and they bring an important authenticity to the setting. The David-and-Goliath formula is overused in American films, and Hoosiers walks a fine line of calculated sentimentality -- a line that director David Anspaugh and writer Angelo Pizzo would cross in their next effort, the football film Rudy. Dennis Hopper received an Oscar nomination for his supporting role, which many wags quipped was as much in recognition of his corrosive work that same year in Blue Velvet as it was for Hoosiers.

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