THE EXPRESS
Year: 2008
USA: Universal Studios
UK: Universal Pictures International (UK)
Cast: Dennis Quaid, Rob Brown, Clancy Brown, Elizabeth Shivers, Charles S Dutton, Omar Benson Miller
Director: Gary Fleder
Country: USA
USA & UK: 129 mins
USA Rated: PG for thematic content, violence and language involving racism, and for brief sensuality
UK Certificate: PG contains mild language and racist terms
USA Release Date: 10 October 2008
UK Release Date: 5 December 2008
UK DVD Release Date: 30 March 2009
Synopsis
THE EXPRESS aka THE EXPRESS: THE STORY OF ERNIE DAVIS, is based on a true story and chronicles the extraordinary life of college football hero Ernie Davis (Rob Brown), who was the first African American to win the Heisman Trophy.
Born in a Pennsylvanian coal-mining town, Davis came from a poor family, but he overcame social and economic obstacles to become one of the greatest running backs in college football history under the wing of legendary Syracuse coach Ben Schwartzwalder (Dennis Quaid). Davis' fight equality and respect forever changed the face of American sports and his story still inspires new generations.
While everyone agreed Ernie Davis was a miraculous football player with outstanding natural talent, few thought this quiet young man would become an icon for the burgeoning civil rights movement that divided America in the early 1960s. Refusing to play by the unspoken rules of the day that embraced racism as the norm, Davis stood defiant and broke through one barrier after another in his personal campaign to alter the way fans looked at men of his colour.
When he was suddenly struck down by a terrible blow in the prime of his life, Davis' spirit soared when most would crumble. Forcing his bull-headed coach to re-examine a life lived in colour-based privilege, Davis would join the ranks of black pioneers who inspired a movement that smashed prejudices both on and off the playing field. Witness the incredible and moving journey of how one player's determination and the love and dedication of his coach changed the game of American professional football forever.