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We are Marshall: What Was True and What Was Not?

The film version of the story of the tragic Marshall Plane crash explores issues in only the most elementary manner, with overwrought dialogue that rarely seems believable. People don’t talk to each other in “We Are Marshall,” they make inspirational speeches. People don’t walk, they stride forcefully. And people don’t make phone calls to handle important business, they drive 200 miles and show up unannounced — and soaking wet because they forgot to bring an umbrella in a rainstorm. The story of the Marshall football team’s plane crash is one of the most tragic stories in sports history, and over a decade later I can’t help but think the filmmakers missed a chance for this film to leave a lasting impression. With the football season fast approach you may be keen to get back into the sport.

I must admit the first time I saw the movie it did bring a tear to my eye, but looking back at it, the movie is not what brought tears to my eyes. What brought tears to my eyes was the fact that this tragedy really did happen and the tragedy was about real people with real emotions I know people signed off on this movie, but I feel this movie could have been so much more than it turned out to be.

What was true, and what was made up?

Was lengyel as strange a guy as he was portrayed.

Give Matthew McConaughey credit for trying, but his overly exuberant and slightly flaky character is completely unbelievable as a head coach. Jack Lengyel wasn’t at all like he was portrayed. He was a low-key man in his approach to everything. Jack had a deep voice that he very seldom raised, but when he did, you knew to listen. He was the perfect guy for the job because he had had a knack for connecting with people immediately. The characterization of Lengyel is so off-base it really doesn’t belong in this movie. I understand that movies go over the top on dramatizations but this one was so far from the truth that it shouldn’t be allowed.

Remembering the Marshall Football tragedy

What about THAT dramatic scene?

One of the most dramatic scenes in the movie happened when a player Nate Ruffin interrupts a meeting, then makes President Donald Dedmon look out a window to the thousands of Marshall students showing their support for the football team. Did this really happen?No, and it is so far from reality that it shouldn’t have made the script either. The Marshall players had worked behind the scenes shortly after the crash to make sure that the football team was never in jeopardy of not returning. So no, it was nowhere near the truth, the Marshall football program was never in jeopardy.

How did people discover the plane crash victims were the football   team?

Not the way the movie showed you. The plane was down for around 30 minutes before the media was ever notified. Jack Hardin, who was a veteran newspaper reporter, actually found a wallet that belonged to one of the players and that’s how the passengers on the plane were initially identified.

 Did coach Lengyel actually say the line, “The funerals end today”?

It wasn’t said exactly the way it was in the movie but it is probably about 80-90 per cent accurate. Coach Lengyel actually took all his Marshall teams to Spring Hill cemetery every year before the first game to explain to them what exactly happened.

From the Ashes, We Rose – Marshall University Football Hype

Did the crowd really chant “We Are…Marshall?”

No, not at all. From most of the information that I found it started in the early 80s.

Was the Red Dawson character true?

Yes, Dawson was a tragic figure because he looked at the young men he coached as sons, and the loss of these players took a huge personal toll which led him to no longer coach football. One of my biggest problems with this movie while researching it was the fact that Red Dawson did not give up his seat on the plane. That was simply not true! Actually, the truth would be that the person who gave up the seat to assistant Deke Brackett was a graduate assistant named Gale Parker. Brackett and Dawson hadn’t even flown to Greenville, N.C., with the team for the game. They had been on a recruiting trip in Virginia late that week and drove themselves to the game in Greenville. They were going to drive back to Huntington until Brackett asked Parker, who’d flown to the game, to give up his seat going home. Dawson was going to drive home all along.

Did West Virginia and Bobby Bowden really wear the green crosses on their helmets in tribute to Marshall?

Yes, they really did and it’s also true that Bowden and his staff did help the Marshall coaches with installing the veer offense.

Was Marshall’s team really without the help of an athletic director?

No. Before Jack Lengyel was hired to be the head coach, Joe McMullen was appointed as the new AD in February of 1971. Add to that McMullen already knew Lengyel and by now you should realize the way Lengyel got the job was not as it was portrayed. Actually, a Georgia Tech assistant coach Dick Bestwick was hired before Lengyel, but he left after just a couple of days and Lengyel became the new coach.

Marshall Tribute – ESPN College Gameday 11/14/20

Did all of the Characters really exist?

No, two of the people were completely made up. The first was “Paul Griffen,” played by Ian McShane, who worked in the steel mill and had a son on the 1970 football team who died in the crash. The other was “Annie Cantrell,” played by Kate Mara, who was a cheerleader and engaged to Griffen’s son. I know these are what Hollywood calls composite characters but I myself was very disappointed to find out these two people never even existed.

Was Nate Ruffin really buried in Spring Hill with the six unidentified players?

Yes, he was. Ruffin died in 2001 at the age of 51 and he is buried with his teammates.

We Are Marshall (5/5) Movie CLIP – Marshall Wins (2006) HD

The Marshall plane crash was a tragic event in American sports history and I think the movie could have been so much more than what it was. Robin Williams could have portrayed Head Coach Jack Lengyel better than Matthew McConaughey did. Let’s face it, the way Lengyel was portrayed was how you would portray a head football coach in an Adam Sandler movie. This was an entertaining movie, I just feel it could have been so much more.

We are Marshall: What was true and what was false in the movie?

Thanks for reading We are Marshall: What Was True and What Was Not? We hope you enjoyed what we put together here. If you are looking for the latest news on college football you most definitely want to tune in as we have articles coming out daily in our Football News section.

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We are marshall.

• Common Sense Says
• Parents Say 2 Reviews
• Kids Say 7 Reviews

Common Sense Media Review

By Cynthia Fuchs , based on child development research. How do we rate?

Conventional football drama doesn't quite score.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that tweens and teens who like sports movies may very well want to see this emotional drama, which is based on a real-life 1970 plane crash that killed 75 people from a small West Virginia university, including football team members and staff. The crash is rendered in an instant (as an electrical …

Why Age 9+?

Students drink beer (they get drunk) and listen to rock music in an effort to ge

Mild language includes "damn," "hell," and "s--t"

Plane crash occurs in an instant (an electrical zap on screen), followed by blac

Falls City beer.

Brief, passionate kiss by cheerleader-football player couple at the start of the

Any Positive Content?

Students, players, and coaches survive guilt and grief; one upset father ensures

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

Students drink beer (they get drunk) and listen to rock music in an effort to get over their loss.

Mild language includes "damn," "hell," and "s--t" (spoken in grief, excitement, surprise, and anger).

Violence & Scariness

Plane crash occurs in an instant (an electrical zap on screen), followed by black screen, then shots of flaming wreckage in the woods; funerals show weeping, upset familes; football action is hard-hitting (bodies slam, fall, fly through the air in slow motion, with loud sound effects); painful injuries (moaning, crumpled players); some emotional arguments (in one, a coach yells at, then pushes a player to the ground).

Products & Purchases

Sex, romance & nudity.

Brief, passionate kiss by cheerleader-football player couple at the start of the film.

Positive Messages

Students, players, and coaches survive guilt and grief; one upset father ensures the university president's firing (then feels bad about it); arguments between both coaches and players and coaches and administrators eventually work out. Lots of emotional expression.

Parents need to know that tweens and teens who like sports movies may very well want to see this emotional drama, which is based on a real-life 1970 plane crash that killed 75 people from a small West Virginia university, including football team members and staff. The crash is rendered in an instant (as an electrical "zap"); viewers then see flaming wreckage in the woods as firemen shake their heads (no bodies, just sadness). Mourning, often angrily expressed, takes place at funerals, over meals, and during football practice. The film includes some iffy language ("damn," "s--t," and "hell"), as well as tension among players, coaches, and boosters. In one scene, players drink a case of beer, bonding in their drunkenness. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

Where to Watch

Videos and photos.

Parent and Kid Reviews

• Parents say (2)
• Kids say (7)

Based on 2 parent reviews

inspirational film.

What's the story.

Based on a true story, WE ARE MARSHALL focuses on the recovery of the Marshall University football team and the surrounding West Virginia community following the November 1970 plane crash that killed 75 team members, coaches, and boosters. Although he's scheduled to be on the doomed flight from North Carolina, Coach Red ( Matthew Fox ) does his assistant a favor, putting him on the plane and driving himself home, completing a recruiting run on the way. Horrified that his decision led to the assistant's death, Red quits football, assuming, with everyone else, that the university will disband or at least suspend the program. But then, according to the movie, some surviving team members (who were injured that weekend, and so not at the game) ask to reinstate the program. University president Don Dedmon ( David Strathairn ) gives in to their demand, eventually hiring a new coach, Jack ( Matthew McConaughey ), who provides the yin to Red's yang.

Is It Any Good?

Conventional in every way, We Are Marshall is stuffed full of meaningful music and montages, but it rarely overcomes generic clichés.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about the appeal of sports movies. Why do audiences like them? Families can also talk about how the different characters in the movie deal with the tragedy. What's the best way to honor the memory of the dead players and coaches?

Movie Details

• In theaters : December 21, 2006
• On DVD or streaming : September 18, 2007
• Cast : Anthony Mackie , Matthew Fox , Matthew McConaughey
• Director : McG
• Inclusion Information : Black actors
• Studio : Warner Bros.
• Genre : Drama
• Topics : Sports and Martial Arts
• Run time : 124 minutes
• MPAA rating : PG
• MPAA explanation : emotional thematic material, a crash scene, and mild language.
• Last updated : June 27, 2024

What to Watch Next

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Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

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The Real Story Behind We Are Marshall

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Spoiler Alert: This article includes details about the real events that inspired the 2006 film "We Are Marshall." These events are central to the film's plot and ending.

The story told in "We Are Marshall" sounds a little like the invention of a screenwriter. An airplane carrying a university football team crashes, killing nearly all of the players, most of the coaching staff and several prominent fans. The university and the close-knit surrounding community are devastated but decide to persevere. A new head coach assembles a team of freshmen and athletes who have never played football. This motley crew goes on to win its first home game with a record-breaking number of fans in attendance.

But in spite of sounding like they were made for Hollywood, these events really took place. On Nov. 14, 1970 , Southern Airways Flight 932 crashed on approach to Tri-State Airport in Kenova, West Virginia. Marshall University had chartered the plane to carry its football team, the Thundering Herd, home from a game against East Carolina University. All 70 passengers and five crew members were killed. Only a handful of the Thundering Herd were not on board.

The plane, a McDonnell Douglas DC-9-31, had flown from Atlanta, Georgia, to Kinston, North Carolina, to pick up its passengers. Flight 932 then left Kinston at 6:38 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST), and the flight, expected to take 52 minutes, progressed normally. But about 1 mile (1.6 meters) from the Tri-State Airport runway, the airplane struck trees on a hill, cutting a 75-foot wide, 279-foot long (22.8 x 85 meter) swath through them before crashing into the ground. The plane exploded on impact. The main wreckage landed only 4,219 feet (1,286 meters) from the runway.

The tower controller started watching for Flight 932 after it passed the Instrument Landing System' s (ILS) outer marker. At 7:36 p.m. EST, the staff noticed a red glow to the west of the runway. The controller had not made visual contact with the airplane, but he saw the explosion and fire that resulted from the crash. Unable to contact the plane, the tower crew started emergency procedures. Police and fire officials as well as the National Guard responded.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigated the crash and quickly ruled out gross negligence or foul play:

• The airplane was in good condition and had been properly maintained. It had refueled in Kinston before its departure.
• Its crew had filed an accurate flight plan and adhered to it.
• The plane was not overloaded, and its center of gravity was within normal limits.
• The pilot and first officer were experienced and qualified to make the flight.
• The pilot had a 20-hour rest period before reporting for duty. The first officer had an 18-hour rest period.

Investigators found no sign of any sort of catastrophic failure in the structure of the airplane, its instruments or its power system. They also found no serious missteps at the airport. The runway was wet due to weather, but the flight crew knew about its condition and had adjusted their descent to compensate. Although it was raining and cold, airport personnel reported a visibility of five miles (eight kilometers) until just after the crash. The runway lights and notification beacons were all functioning.

However, because of the nature of the terrain around the airport, it did not have a glide slope as part of its ILS. A glide slope transmits a signal to the aircraft to help the pilot make sure that the plane descends at the right angle. Because of the absence of the glide slope, the landing was considered a non-precision instrument approach . The airport was allowed to operate without a glide slope, but without it, pilots had one less tool for landing safely.

Investigators also ruled out the height of the trees as a factor. The trees were too tall according to the Federal Aviation Regulations in use at the time. However, these regulations were used for administrative purposes, like allocating money or notifying the public of construction. The height of the trees did not violate the U.S. Standard for Terminal Instrument Procedure (TERPS). In other words, under normal circumstances, the height of the trees should not have affected a plane's ability to land.

The NTSB's final analysis was that the airplane had crashed because it was below the Minimum Descent Altitude (MDA). In other words, it crashed because it was too close to the ground while descending. But the NTSB was not able to determine precisely why the plane was flying too low. Investigators narrowed it down to two possibilities. According to the accident report, "the two most likely explanations are (a) improper use of cockpit instrumentation data, or (b) an altimetry system error" [source: NTSB Aircraft Accident Report ]. In other words, either the instruments were functioning incorrectly or the pilot and first officer were using their data incorrectly.

We'll look at these two possibilities in more detail in the next section.

"We Are Marshall": Analyzing the Data of Flight 932

Rebuilding marshall university football.

During the investigation, the NTSB analyzed the airplane's instruments as well as the crew's behavior. The plane was clearly flying too low, and the NTSB wanted to determine why. In addition, the flight data recorder (FDR) showed the plane twice overshooting and then correcting its rate of descent. This suggested that the pilot may have been compensating for incorrect instrument readings.

Officials conducted extensive tests on the planes' barometric altimeters . The analysis revealed that both the pilot's and the first officer's instruments may have malfunctioned. They seemed to report that the airplane was 300 feet (91.4 meters) higher than it really was. However, the impact of the crash may have caused both altimeters to report incorrect altitudes.

Another theory was that the pilot and first officer were using their radio altimeters to determine the plane's altitude. A radio altimeter works essentially the same way as radar . It measures the amount of time it takes for radio waves to travel to the ground and back. But in very hilly or uneven terrain, like the area of West Virginia where the plane crashed, radio altimeters could give inaccurate readings. The pilot and first officer would have known this from their training. The NTSB investigators reported that the use of radio altimeters on approach to the airport was possible, but not probable.

Regardless of exactly why the plane was flying too low, the pilot and first officer were probably completely unaware that it was doing so. The first officer's callouts as recorded in the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) were consistently higher than the measurements recorded in the plane's FDR. It is unclear whether the pilot verified the callouts on his own instruments or whether he relied on the first officer's readings.

In addition, according to the conversations recorded by CVR, the crew believed the plane was on a normal descent to the airport. The pilot and first officer did not note any cause for concern other than a minor issue with the autopilot. It appeared to capture a glide slope signal even though the airport had no glide slope. The pilot also remarked that the autopilot seemed sluggish. Investigators did not believe that the pilot was using the autopilot incorrectly or that the autopilot caused the crash.

The CVR also recorded a comment from the flight's charter coordinator, a Southern Airways employee who was in the cockpit just before the crash. The flight coordinator's duties required him to talk to the pilot, so he was allowed to be in the cockpit. Shortly before the crash, he remarked, "Bet'll be a missed approach." Investigators believed that he noticed that the plane was approaching MDA but had not made visual contact with the airport. This would require the airplane to level off and turn around. The FDR data suggests that the pilot tried to do just that before striking the trees.

The NTSB found a few points at which the pilot or first officer did not strictly adhere to landing procedures on approach to Tri-State Airport. For example, it appears that the pilot attempted to level off only after he reached minimum descent altitude. Doing so would allow the plane to pass through MDA and continue to descend while it leveled off. However, since the tops of the trees were more than 300 feet below MDA, leveling off earlier would not likely have prevented the crash. In fact, the only thing that would most likely have prevented the crash was a glide slope at the airport. Tri-State airport installed a glide slope using federal funds in 1972.

The crash took the lives of everyone on board— the pilot, the first officer, two flight attendants, the charter coordinator, 24 Marshall University football fans, nine coaches and 37 players. We'll look at what happened to the Marshall University football program as a result next.

Even before the 1970 season, Marshall University's football program had experienced some difficulties. The team had a poor record in the 1960s, including seasons with no winning games. In 1962, its stadium was condemned for health and safety violations. In 1969, the Mid-American Conference expelled Marshall from its ranks because of over 100 recruiting violations. At the time of the crash, Marshall was part of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) but was on probation due to the same allegations.

By 1970, the school had made some improvements. Fairfield Stadium had undergone a full renovation, and its playing field had fresh AstroTurf. Although 1970 was not a winning season, the team's last game against East Carolina University was close. Marshall lost with a score of 14 to 17.

The crash affected both the University and the surrounding community. After the crash, government offices and local businesses were closed. The University canceled many activities and held a memorial service at the stadium on Sunday, Nov. 15. It also canceled Monday's classes. Funeral and memorial services took place over the following weeks. The bodies of six football players that could not be identified were buried together at Spring Hill Cemetery, which overlooks the Marshall campus.

On March 17, 1971, Jack Lengyel became Marshall University's new football coach. Assistant Coach Alfred "Red" Dawson, who had made the trip back to West Virginia by car, returned to coach for one year. With the help of other surviving faculty and staff members, they began assembling a new football team.

They started with the players who had not been on board the flight because of injuries, academic conflicts and other reasons. To these players, they added athletes who played other sports. The school also requested permission from the NCAA to allow freshmen to play, which the NCAA granted. Lengyel renamed the team the Young Thundering Herd until it regained its original four-year class structure.

The Young Thundering Herd lost its first game, which was against Morehead. But it won its second game— its first home game— against Xavier University with a score of 15 to 13. The team won one other game in the 1971 season.

The Thundering Herd began to have winning seasons in 1984. Marshall played in the NCAA Division I-AA playoff in 1987 and the Southern Conference football championship in 1988. In 1992 and 1996, Marshall was the NCAA Division I-AA champion. The team moved into Division I-A in 1997 and won its first bowl game in 1998.

The 1970 tragedy is still a part of life at Marshall and in the city of Huntington. An annual memorial ceremony takes place at the Memorial Student Center Fountain, which was dedicated on Nov. 12, 1972. After this ceremony, the school turns off the water in the fountain until spring.

In addition to the 2006 film "We Are Marshall," the documentary "Ashes to Glory" and the book "Real Tragedy, Real Triumph: True Stories and Images from the Crash and Rebirth of Marshall University Football" tell the story of the Marshall University football team. See the links on the next page for more information about the Marshall University air disaster, "We Are Marshall" and related topics.

• 1949: An airplane carrying the Grande Torino Italian soccer squad crashes into a wall of the Superga Basilica near Turin, Italy. Eighteen players are killed along with trainers, journalists and other passengers.
• 1958: The Manchester United team plane crashes on takeoff from Munich, Germany, killing eight players as well as journalists and club officials.
• 1960: An overloaded charter plane crashes on takeoff, killing 22, including 18 football players from California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo.
• 1961: The entire United States figure skating team dies when a Boeing 707 crashes en route to the World Figure Skating Championship in Prague, Czechoslovakia.
• 1970: A chartered plane hired by Wichita State University crashes. Thirty-one of the 40 people on board, including 14 members of the football team, are killed.
• 1977: The 14-member University of Evansville basketball team, their coach and 14 other passengers die when a National Jet Services DC-3 crashes on takeoff.
• 1993: Eighteen players and 5 officials from Zambia's national soccer team die in a crash in Libreville, Gabon, when the plane stops to refuel on its way to Dakar for a World Cup.
• 2001: Pilot error causes a crash that kills eight members of the Oklahoma State University basketball program.

Lots More Information

Related articles.

• How American Football Works
• How the Physics of Football Works
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• How Air Traffic Control Works

More Great Links

• Warner Bros: "We Are Marshall"
• Marshall University: "We Are Marshall"
• Marshall University Library Virtual Museum: November 14, 1970
• Bonfiglio, Jeremy D. "Marshall Gets It Right, Tells Story with Respect." South Bend Tribune, November 19, 2006. http://www.southbendtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061119/Ent04/611190500/-1/ENT
• DeLozier, Cassie. "OSU Plane Crash Evokes Chilling Past Memories." The Daily O'Collegian. http://www.ocolly.com/new_ocollycom/new_site/read_story.php?a_id=9961
• Drehs, Wayne. "Marshall Remains Worst Sports-related Air Disaster." ESPN, November 13, 2000. http://espn.go.com/ncf/s/2000/1113/875480.html
• Georgatos, Dennis. "Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo remembers plane crash of 1960," October 28, 2006. http://news.pajamasmedia.com/2006/10/28/11655033_Cal_PolySan_Luis.shtml
• Manchester United Football Club http://www.manchester2002-uk.com/sports/footballers5.html
• Marshall University Library Virtual Museum: November 14, 1970 http://www.marshall.edu/library/speccoll/virtual_museum/memorial/default.asp
• The 1970 Marshall Football Team Crash http://webpages.marshall.edu/~rossett1/1970/crash.html
• The Herald-Dispatch: 1970 Marshall Plane Crash: The Real Story https://www.herald-dispatch.com/sports/marshall_plane_crash/
• Weir, Tom. "Marshall Tragedy Finally Comes to Film." USA Today, May 5, 2006. http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/2006-04-30-marshall_x.htm?ord=15
• "Yankee Pitcher Killed in Plane Crash." RecordOnline, November 11, 2006. http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061011/NEWS/61011007/-1/SPORTS18

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46 Facts About The Movie We Are Marshall

Written by Gisela Milano

Modified & Updated: 02 Jun 2024

Reviewed by Jessica Corbett

We Are Marshall is a powerful and emotionally gripping movie that tells the inspiring true story of the Marshall University football team’s journey to recovery after a devastating plane crash took the lives of 75 people, including most of its players and coaching staff. Directed by McG and released in 2006, the film explores themes of resilience, unity, and the indomitable human spirit. With a talented cast led by Matthew McConaughey, Matthew Fox, and Anthony Mackie, We Are Marshall brings to life the challenges and triumphs faced by the survivors as they attempt to rebuild their football program amidst despair and grief. As we delve deeper into the movie, we uncover 46 fascinating facts that shed light on the production, the cast, and the enduring legacy of this remarkable true story.

Key Takeaways:

• “We Are Marshall” is a movie based on the true story of a tragic plane crash and the inspiring journey of rebuilding a football team, showcasing the power of hope and community resilience.
• The film captures the emotional journey of the Marshall University community, highlighting the healing power of sports and the importance of honoring the past while moving forward with strength and unity.

Historical Inspiration

The movie “We Are Marshall” is based on the true story of the 1970 Marshall University football team and the tragic plane crash that claimed the lives of most of the players and coaching staff.

Setting and Production

The film was shot on location in Huntington, West Virginia , where the actual events took place. The filmmakers went to great lengths to accurately recreate the campus and the town.

Release Date

We Are Marshall” was released on December 12, 2006, nearly 36 years after the plane crash occurred.

The movie was directed by McG, known for his work on films like “Charlie’s Angels” and “Terminator Salvation.

The film stars Matthew McConaughey as Jack Lengyel, the new head coach of the Marshall football team, and Matthew Fox as Red Dawson, a surviving assistant coach.

Emotional Journey

We Are Marshall” tells a deeply emotional story of resilience, healing, and the power of community.

The Plane Crash

In 1970, a Southern Airways plane carrying members of the Marshall University football team, coaching staff, and supporters crashed, resulting in the deaths of 75 people.

Rebuilding the Team

After the tragedy, the university faced the challenge of rebuilding the football team from scratch. The movie chronicles the team’s journey back to the field.

Real-life Inspirations

The characters in the movie are based on real-life individuals who were involved in the events surrounding the plane crash and the team’s resurrection .

Football as a Symbol

In the movie, football becomes a symbol of hope for the grieving community and a way to honor the memory of those who lost their lives.

The Team’s Motto

The phrase “We Are Marshall” became a rallying cry for the university and its football team, symbolizing their unity and determination.

Supporting Roles

The film features performances by David Strathairn, Kate Mara, January Jones , and Anthony Mackie, among others.

Emotional Resonance

We Are Marshall” explores the themes of loss, perseverance, and the healing power of sports.

Box Office Success

The movie grossed over $43 million worldwide.

Critical Reception

“We Are Marshall” received mixed reviews from critics, with praise for the performances and emotional impact, but criticism for its pacing and handling of the true story.

The film’s soundtrack features a mix of original score and popular songs from the era, creating a nostalgic atmosphere.

Marshall University’s Involvement

The university provided support and input during the production of the film to ensure accuracy and authenticity.

Inspirational Sports Story

We Are Marshall” follows in the tradition of other inspirational sports movies like “ Remember the Titans ” and “Rudy.

Historical Significance

The events depicted in the movie had a profound impact on the Marshall University community and are remembered as a turning point in its history.

Capturing the Spirit

The film aims to capture the spirit of resilience and determination that characterized the university and the community in the aftermath of the tragedy.

Heartfelt Performances

The cast delivers powerful and heartfelt performances, bringing depth and emotion to their characters.

Time Period

The movie is set in the early 1970s, capturing the fashion, music, and ambiance of the era.

Touching Relationships

The film explores the relationships between the players, coaches, and community members affected by the tragedy, highlighting their interconnectedness.

The movie features the iconic symbol of the red “X” passing through the university’s logo, representing their determination to rebuild and remember.

Football as a Healing Process

The game of football becomes an important tool for healing and unity, allowing the community to bond and support each other.

Honoring the Victims

“We Are Marshall” pays tribute to the victims of the plane crash and ensures that their memory lives on.

Real-life Cameos

The movie includes cameos from surviving players and family members of those who lost their lives in the crash.

Emotional Impact

“We Are Marshall” tugs at the heartstrings, evoking a range of emotions from the audience.

Historical Accuracy

The filmmakers took great care to portray the events and the time period with historical accuracy, consulting with those who were directly involved.

The Power of Community

The movie emphasizes the importance of community support and resilience in times of tragedy.

Cinematic Storytelling

“We Are Marshall” utilizes cinematic techniques to bring the story to life, creating a visually captivating experience.

Moving Speeches

The movie includes powerful and inspiring speeches that provide motivation and encouragement to the characters and audience alike.

Touching Moments

“We Are Marshall” is filled with touching moments that will leave a lasting impact on viewers.

Tribute to Courage

The film pays tribute to the courage and resilience displayed by the Marshall University community in the face of adversity.

Emotional Catharsis

We Are Marshall” offers a sense of emotional catharsis as the characters navigate their grief and strive for a brighter future.

The Healing Power of Sports

The movie highlights the healing power of sports, showing how they can bring people together and provide a sense of purpose.

Team Dynamics

“We Are Marshall” delves into the dynamics of a football team and explores the bond formed among players and coaches.

Representation of Loss

The film portrays the profound sense of loss felt by the university and community, capturing the depth of their grief.

Building a Legacy

The movie showcases the efforts made to build a lasting legacy for the victims of the plane crash.

Emotional Resilience

The characters in “We Are Marshall” display emotional resilience as they navigate through their personal tragedies.

Inspiring Quotes

The film features memorable quotes that encapsulate the themes of hope, perseverance, and unity.

Honoring Real-life Heroes

We Are Marshall” pays tribute to the real-life heroes who helped rebuild the football program and the community.

The Importance of Hope

The movie highlights the role of hope in overcoming adversity and finding strength during challenging times.

Reflecting on the Past

“We Are Marshall” encourages reflection on the past while emphasizing the importance of moving forward.

Preservation of History

The film serves as a means of preserving the history and the memory of the events that transpired in 1970.

Everlasting Impact

The story of “We Are Marshall” and the events it depicts continue to inspire and resonate with audiences, reminding us of the strength of the human spirit.

In conclusion, “We Are Marshall” is a captivating film that not only tells the story of tragedy and resilience but also celebrates the power of community and the strength of the human spirit. With its talented cast, emotional performances, and powerful storytelling, it has become a beloved movie among audiences. Whether you are a fan of inspiring sports dramas or simply appreciate a well-crafted film, “We Are Marshall” is definitely worth watching. So grab some popcorn, settle in, and prepare to be moved by this incredible tale of hope, determination, and the indomitable spirit of a small town.

Q: Is “We Are Marshall” based on a true story?

A: Yes, “We Are Marshall” is based on the true story of the 1970 Marshall University football team plane crash.

Q: Who directed “We Are Marshall”?

A: “We Are Marshall” was directed by McG, known for his work on films like “Charlie’s Angels” and “ Terminator Salvation .

Q: Who are some of the main cast members in the movie?

A: The movie stars Matthew McConaughey , Matthew Fox, Anthony Mackie, and David Strathairn, among others.

Q: When was “We Are Marshall” released?

A: The film was released on December 22 , 2006.

Q: What is the running time of the movie?

A: “We Are Marshall” has a running time of approximately 131 minutes.

Q: Are there any notable awards or nominations for “We Are Marshall”?

A: While “We Are Marshall” didn’t receive major award recognition, it was praised for its performances and storytelling.

Q: Can I stream “We Are Marshall” online?

A: “We Are Marshall” is available for streaming on various platforms like Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, and Google Play Store.

Q: Is “We Are Marshall” only focused on football?

A: While football remains a significant part of the story, “We Are Marshall” also explores the impact of the tragedy on the community as a whole.

Q: Does “We Are Marshall” have a message or theme?

A: Yes, the movie conveys themes of resilience, unity, and the power of perseverance in the face of adversity.

Q: Is “We Are Marshall” suitable for all ages?

A: “We Are Marshall” is rated PG and is generally suitable for audiences of all ages, but parental guidance is advised for younger viewers due to some intense and emotional scenes.

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