Basketball coach Don Haskins made it into the books of fame with his NCAA victory during the 1966 season at Texas Western College. During a time where racial discrimination was a more serious issue, he started his team with 5 African-American players at the NCAA finals creating what is known to be one of the biggest sports upsets of all time.
The movie GLORY ROAD directed by James Gartner is a sports drama that’s narrates the story of the underdogs of Texas Western College. Based on the novel titled the same which was written by Don Haskins himself the movie does add a pinch of salt into the entire racial banter in order to increase the level of interest and to extract more viewer passion.
Much like movies such as REMEMBER THE TITANS, COACH CARTER, THE WRESTLER and THE FIGHTER this movie too can be considered one the greats and indeed a must watch for those fans who savors narrations based on true events. Nothing short of inspiration, every second of the story of Don Haskins and his team can be construed as sheer will to matter. Starring Josh Lucas as Don Haskins I am impressed with the stellar performance he puts up. Just as Denzel Washington, Brad Pitt, Christian Bale, Mickey Rouke and Samuel Jackson; Josh Lucas is powerful and potent. If he is doing justice to the real Don Haskins is something I cannot comment on, however the Don Haskins he does portray indeed is a rare breed of man. Derek Luke from BIKER BOYS is the only other character written into the movie with any detail whilst the other stars pretty much hold up the character of Don Haskins; after all it his epic story.
GLORY ROAD is the only movie to be directed by James Gartner and I am surprised why he never did pursue his career. Gartners effort on this bio-pic cannot be left unnoticed. There is nothing in this movie that can be considered to be out of place. If one thing could have been tweaked a bit more it would be an inclusion of a commercial soundtrack just to carry her a bit further.
That being said GLORY ROAD has not made it to the surface as much as movies such as THE FIGHTER. However it is a crime indeed not to have been entertained by such meaningful productions. These are movies that can make a difference, these are movies that can influence, these are movies that can inspire, this indeed is a movie that one needs to watch!
TITLE: GLORY ROAD
DIRECTED BY: JAMES GARTNER
STARRING: JOSH LUCAS, DEREK LUKE, AUSTIN NICHOLS AND JON VOIGHT
RATED: PG 13
RATING: 7.5/10
RUNTIME: 118 MINUTES