Release Date: January 13, 2006

MPAA RATING: PG for racial issues including violence and epithets, and momentary language
Starring: Josh Lucas
Genre: Historical Sports Drama

Recommended Age: 11+

Glory Road is based upon the true story of the 1966 Texas Western Miners basketball team led by the inspirational Coach Don Haskins (Josh Lucas).  Newly hired as the head coach of the Miners, he is given no recruiting budget and no hope.  For years they have been a hopeless team, but that is about to change.  Coach Haskins is determined to bring together the best group of basketball players out there.  Quickly realizing that the white players are going to the major schools like Duke and Kentucky, he brings together a group of seven black players for the team.  This is a huge controversy for the school and the league—no other school in the South has even one.  However, this does not matter to the coach, and he works them to the bone.  Soon, they have won over thirty games in a row, shocking everyone.  Unfortunately, this upsets many, and the Miners are even threatened by some.  One player is attacked, and the entire team’s hotel rooms are vandalized.  Completely shaken and lacking faith in themselves, the Miners lose a game.  Luckily, they soon recover, and make it to the National Championship, a task that has made history.

Glory Road contains items that many viewers may find offensive.  Racism is a huge issue, and it comes up time and again, however it is an accurate reflection of the South during the 1960s.  The team is threatened many times, and even Don Haskin’s wife receives hate mail.  The most heinous act is when the team’s hotel rooms are vandalized—all their possessions are destroyed and the walls have been painted with racial slurs. Also, one of the players is attacked in a bathroom by two white men while another ignores it.  Derogatory terms are used to address the players by rivals, the worst including ‘nigger’ and ‘colored person.’  With those warnings in mind, Glory Road is a positive film which inspires hope and courage in all.  Coach Haskins was able to overcome an impossible barrier, and brought the first interracial Division 1 NCAA basketball team to glory.  This wonderful and inspiring film is recommended for families with children eleven and older, however with some discussion about the themes younger ones may also enjoy it.