We Are Marshall (DVD, 2007, Widescreen)

The most cynical viewers will have a hard time hiding the lumps in their throats watching the enormously moving football drama 'We Are Marshall'.
If it feels like Hollywood's gone to the mat one too many times with inspirational sports stories, this latest entry is distinct and well-made enough to separate it from the pack. And if the movie unabashedly wears its heart on its jersey sleeve, it's so sincere and honest that it rightfully earns its tears.
This is the True Story of one of the worst disasters in American Sports History: 1970 plane crash that wiped out most of Marshall University's Football Team, along with its coaches and boosters. A total of 75 people died that fateful night, leaving the football-crazy steel town of Huntington, West Virginia, grieving and heartbroken. The big question then was whether or not to continue the college football program, which would mean starting over from scratch and testing the emotional strength of the devastated community. Not surprisingly, residents and students spoke up and the difficult decision was made to get back to the gridiron.
Led by University President Donald Dedmon (David Strathairn), surviving Team Captain Nate Ruffin (Anthony Mackie), newly recruited Coach Jack Lengyel (Matthew McConaughey), and Assistant Coach Red Dawson (Matthew Fox), a spotty replacement team was assembled and, against massive emotional and physical odds, the new team helped the town overcome the tragedy.
What makes the story less formulaic is the drive and creativity the characters use to achieve their thorny goals. Also, the film is charged with so much vivid emotion and urgency it's impossible not to get swept up in it all. Most importantly, it won't take a sports fan to appreciate the movie's vast merits, which is not always the case with this sub-genre.
While it's heart is squarely in the right place, it's not as complete a success as, say, the similarly themed 'Friday Night Lights'. First-timer Jamie Linden's screenplay packs an emotional wallop, for sure though. He's created a strong surface picture of the key figures, and we certainly know where everyone's coming from.
The only problem is McConaughey's uneven performance, which doesn't quite zero in on the real Lengyel. At first, the actor plays him as a gung-ho eccentric, but by the end he turns into, well, Matthew McConaughey, honey-dripping voice and all. While "McC" seems right on paper and definitely commits to the part, he's just not versatile enough to fully inhabit the role of the colorful coach.
The rest of the cast, however, is uniformly excellent, with Strathairn, Mackie, and Fox all turning in award-caliber work. Fox (Party of Five, Lost), as the intensely conflicted assistant coach, is a particular revelation, and his success here could bring him leading-man status beyond the small screen. Kate Mara, as a young waitress (and the film's narrator) whose fiancé dies in the accident, and Ian McShane as the boy's shattered father, are also superb.
The early 1970s setting is nicely recreated without overdoing the period trappings, which include an effective array of Top 40 tunes.

'We Are Marshall' (named after the team's stirring chant) is a memorable, deeply felt tribute that scores serious points.

Don't Miss This !!!!

This movie is so great,the spirit of the town to carry on after the loss they each suffered. If you ever have lost someone then you know how they were feeling. I lost my husband 3 years ago and with 3 kids you still have to carry on ... its like the football team was their stepping stone to memorialize their fallen teammates.
Great Excellent Movie!

This is the one sports movie that shouldn't be missed. I was raised in West Virginia and remember this tragic event well. It wasn't just the city of Huntington or Marshall University that was affected but the entire state. Everyone knew of someone who was directly or indirectly related to one of the victims. That's why I feel that the movie shows much of the sorrow that many of us endured during this time. Some of the movie was taken from fact, and some has been changed to narrow down to a combination of actual families into the central family characters (the Griffens). Regardless, this is a very good movie and I guarantee that it will touch your heart.

This is a excellent football movie and every football fan should take the time to view this one. A little slow at times, but most of the time it is right on target and hits the heart.

Based on a true story, this movie is quite moving and tells a very good story. Before watching this movie, I had no idea about the story of Marshall College. It is based around a football team, however, even if you don't like sports movie, you will like this one. Very touching and moving.

THIS MOVIE WAS EXCELLENT! MORE DRAMA THAN FOOTBALL. MORE OF AN ACTUAL STORY THAN JUST ANOTHER FOOTBALL MOVIE. I THOUGHT IT WAS EXCELLENT! BUY IT TODAY OR RENT IT YOU WON'T BE LET DOWN.
(IF THIS REVIEW INSPIRED YOU TO PURCHASE THIS MOVIE THEN BE SURE TO VOTE FOR IT) THANK YOU!

One of those movies that keeps your attention all the way through. Makes you feel. I laughed and cried. I loved when a movie is based on a true story. This movie is definitely a keeper.

A TRUE STORY.....I LOVED IT...2 THUMBS UP!!! CANT WAIT UNTIL IT COMES OUT..WE ARE MARSHALL IS THE BEST SPORTS MOVIE I EVER SAW...GO MARSHALL!!

This movie is great. I loved it from beginning to end. If you think this is a sports movie you are wrong. The backdrop is about football but the movie is about coming back from tragedy. This story will amaze you and to think it really happened is even more amazing. Will be a classic!

We Are Marshall is a very interesting movie. It is about Marshall University and how the campus and town deal with a devastating crash that claimed their entire football team, sports department, and many people from the town of Marshall.

The movie is about how people deal with a massive tragedy on a town wide scale. You happen to see how they deal with it through re-creating Marshall's football team/program.

The movie is very inspirational.

5/5
Latsyrhc
Tamarack Collectibles

This DVD was listed as brand new, when I received it, there was no packageing and was used. This DVD was listed under false advertisement as brand new. I was very upset and am still deciding what I will be doing with the DVD.

Football films are okay but I really like this one. Maybe because I remember when this happened but I bought it for my son he loves this movie.

This is an incredible movie!! Very touching - a town faced with a tragedy, fighting to overcome it. Make sure you have some kleenex nearby though!

Awesome - quick turn-a-round - enjoyed the movie. The towel "We Are Marshall" was an extra bonus, which I didn't expect - THANK YOU!!! I look forward to future business with this seller.

This is one GREAT movie and very inspiring!! I am so glad I bought this so I can watch it over and over. Matthew Mcougnahey was superb and Matthew Fox did a great job showing his pain. I loved the ending showing everyone wanting to stay after the game!!

"[B]oth heartfelt and dignified. Matthew McConaughey is the most valuable asset here..."
Box Office - Wade Major (02/01/2007)

I love football movies. I did not like the fact that GOD would let this true story of a team and all the on this team die. Death is a fact of life, but when you are that young, its just not fair. I would like to commend the person's involved with the making of this program. To have the Heart for a sportr and the need to see others come to exceed your expectations and commend that person for a job well done after all the hard work is GREAT.

This is a great movie (true story) about a town that lost their whole football team in a tragic plane crash. Matthew McConaughey does an outstanding performance and I enjoy watching how he brings the eccentric nature of Jack Lengyel, the replacement coach, to life.

This seller was very quick to send the item I won. I could not believe how quickly I received the item after payment. It took only days to receive the item. Semper Fi.

Excellent movie, especially for sports fans. Family movie based on true story that includes stats for the university after the team is put back together. Good acting.

A town, university, & people deal w/ an extreme tragedy. The football program is about to be suspended. However, the students & remaining players move forward to heal!

i like the movie because im from wva and it about wva
i was at a fair price and i wanted to see it.

The price was right, The sellar was quick to send, I shouldn't complian but The shipping charges are what keeps me from making more E-Bay purchases.