Invincible [WS]

Director: Ericson Core Ericson Core

Overview

From the producers of The Rookie and Remember the Titans comes an inspirational sports drama detailing the true story of a down-on-his-luck football fan whose dreams of standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the best of the gridiron became a once-in-a-lifetime reality when he took part in an open tryout organized by Philadelphia Eagles coach Dick Vermeil. Vince Papale (Mark Wahlberg) was a 30-year-old substitute teacher and part-time bartender who had never even played college football. When Coach Vermeil (Greg Kinnear) made the unprecedented announcement that he would be holding open tryouts for the Philadelphia Eagles, Papale would go against incredible odds to live the dream and experience every fan's biggest fantasy. With a position on the Eagles secured and a new life path forged out of little more than determination and persistence, Papale takes to the field to experience the life-altering rush of running yards as a stadium full of cheering fans burst from their seats to support the hometown hero who proved it's never too late to take control of your own destiny.

Product Details

Release Date:	12/19/2006
UPC:	0786936721027
Original Release:	2006
Rating:	PG
Source:	Walt Disney Video
Region Code:	1
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround]
Language:	English
Time:	1:44:00
Sales rank:	3,181

Special Features

Becoming Invincible: The Vince Papale Story"; Two audio commentaries:; -Vince Papale, producer Mark Ciardi, writer Brad Gann; -Director Ericson Core, editor Jerry Greenberg; Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound; French language track; French and Spanish subtitles; Widescreen (2.35:1) - enhanced for 16x9 televisions

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Mark Wahlberg	Vince Papale
Greg Kinnear	Dick Vermeil
Elizabeth Banks	Janet Cantrell,TJ Banks
Kevin Conway	Frank Papale
Michael Rispoli	Max Cantrell
Kirk Acevedo	Tommy
Dov Davidoff	Johnny
Michael Kelly	Pete
Michael Nouri	Leonard Tose
Sal Darigo	Mick
Turron Kofi Alleyne	Ronnie Sampson
Stink Fisher	Denny Franks
Michael Mulheren	AC Craney
Jack Kehler	Wade Chambers
Lola Glaudini	Sharon Papale
Paige Turco	Carol Vermeil
Lynn Cohen	Mrs. Spegnetti
James Murtaugh	Principal
Dominick Cicco	South Philly Man
Franklin Ojeda Smith	Les
Patrick McDade	The Turk,The Turk
Rick Reilly	Disguntled Fan
Frederick Strother	Eagles Coach No. 1,Eagles Coach #1
Timothy F. Crowley	Eagles Coach No. 2,Eagles Coach #2
Brian Hayes Currie	Eagles Coach No. 3
Michael S. Brainard	Eagles Coach No. 4
Bryan Donoghue	Hopeful
Tony Luke Jr.	Cape-Clad Fan
Anthony Lawton	Pressroom Reporter
Johnny Leslie Wolfe	TV Anchor,TV Anchor
Tim Lamendola	TV Cameraman
Susan Moses	Teacher
Cosmo DeMatteo	Dean German
Brian Scott Fitzgerald	Randy Hughes
Tristan Phillips	Richie Vermeil
Morgan Turner	Susan Vermeil
Randy Couture	"Toruci" Player #1
Earle Masciulli	"Toruci" Player #2
Jeffrey Gibson	"Tanker" Opposing Player #1
Patrick Walsh	"Tanker" Opposing Player #2
Kerry Shawn Duffy	Eagles PR Man
Paul Laquerre	Kneeling Veteran
Kevin Ingram	Giant Kick Returner
Michael McCarthy	Giant Defender
Mark Simms	Weekend Warrior
Frank Ferrara Sr.	Tryout Hopeful
Jimmy Palumbo	Philly Fan #1
Johnny Alves	Philly Fan #2
Peter DiStefano	Philly Fan #3
Pride Grinn	Philly Fan #4
Daniel Spink	Philly Fan #5
Jimmy Graham	Dour Fan
Michael P. Hayes	Student #1
Justin Goncalves	Student #2
Joe Thompson	Ref
Frank Kosman	Ref
Charles Pendleton	Frank's Friend
James Carr	Frank's Friend
Joe Guglielmucci	Umpire
Anthony R. Duncan	Eagles Coach
Harry Donahue	Play-by-Play Announcer
Merrill Reese	Voice of the Eagles
Mike Quick	Voice of the Eagles
Mark Ellis	Football Coordinator
Sean Graham	Vince Double
Chris Place	Pete Double
Thomas Place	Max Double
Jared Burke	Johnny Double
Ralph "Cliff" Dell	Tommy Double
Tim Lajcik	Max's ND Stunt #1
Kevin Cassidy	Toruci ND #1
J.J. Dashnaw	Tanker ND Stunt #1
Mike Ribaudo	Tanker ND Stunt #3
Mark Isham	Composer

Technical Credits

Brad Gann

Ericson Core	Director
Brad Gann	Screenwriter
Mark Ciardi	Producer
Gordon Gray	Producer
Ken Mok	Producer
Vince Papale	Producer
Victor H. Constantino	Executive Producer
Brad Epstein	Executive Producer
Nicole Reed	Executive Producer
Ezra Swerdlow	Executive Producer
Mac Torluccio	Executive Producer
Stefan Sonnenfeld	Executive Producer
Imaginary Forces	Producer
James R. Shelton	Key Grip
Sheila Jaffe	Casting
Shawn Murphy	Sound Mixer
James Sabat	Sound/Sound Designer
Robert Sephton	Sound/Sound Designer

Editorial Reviews

Legendary Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Vince Papale, beautifully played by Mark Wahlberg in what may be his best screen work to date, springs to life in this powerful if predictable hit. A 30-year-old fan whose previous football experience has been limited to the sandlots of South Philly, former teacher and part-time bartender Papale is recruited in 1976 by Eagles head coach Dick Vermeil (Greg Kinnear). Overcoming his lack of experience and relatively advanced age, Vince makes the team by dint of his iron will and unceasing effort, ultimately winning over his skeptical teammates and leading them to victory while earning the love of barmaid Janet Cantrell (Elizabeth Banks). Director Ericson Core and screenwriter Bran Gunn stress Vince’s struggle to stay focused despite discouragement from the other players, who think his recruitment nothing more than a Vermeil publicity stunt. Although the film plays out along the familiar lines of other underdog sports stories, its near veracity gives it an extra kick. Papale himself figures prominently in the DVD’s supplemental features -- a 28-minute featurette titled “Becoming Invincible: The Story of Vince Papale” -- as well as audio commentary in which he interacts with producer Mark Ciardi and scriptwriter Gann. Disney was wise to involve him so extensively: You can’t help but admire Papale’s passion, spirit, and obvious love of life. The featurette shows him, wide-eyed and beaming, shooting candid on-set footage with a handheld video camera. Referring to the thrill of having his story immortalized on film, he is heard saying, “I wish I could bottle this.”