Movie and Film Profile: Glory Road (2006)

Glory Road was generally released in theaters on January 13, 2006. Produced by Walt Disney Pictures, in association with Jerry Bruckheimer Films, Texas Western Productions, and distributed by Buena Vista Pictures Distribution. Based on the true story surrounding the events leading up to the 1966 NCAA University Division basketball tournament, as told by Texas Western College's (now known as the University of Texas El Paso or UTEP) head coach Don Haskins in his autobiography of the same name.

DMFE Rating: ★★★½☆ (3.50 out of 5 stars)

Caution: Possible Spoilers Ahead! 

Don Haskins, a tough and demanding former high school basketball coach, is hired to revive the struggling Texas Western College basketball program. With limited funding and little national recognition, Haskins recruits players overlooked by major programs, focusing solely on talent rather than race.

He assembles an integrated team that includes several African American players, a controversial decision during the mid-1960s. Through grueling practices and strict discipline, Haskins molds the team into a cohesive and competitive unit. As the Miners begin winning games, they face growing resistance and racism, especially during road trips in the segregated South.

Despite hostility from crowds and discriminatory treatment off the court, Texas Western dominates its conference and earns a spot in the 1966 NCAA Tournament. The team advances through the bracket, drawing national attention for both its success and its racial makeup.

In the NCAA championship game, Haskins makes a historic decision to start an all-African American lineup against the all-white University of Kentucky team coached by Adolph Rupp. Texas Western wins the game 72–65, securing the national championship and making history.

The soundtrack was released on January 10, 2006, by Hollywood Records. Many of the songs are classic hits from the 1960s that help evoke the film's period setting, and include original score elements associated with the film's story, as well as some music composed by Trevor Rabin as part of the score. 

Glory Road won the 2006 ESPY Award for Best Sports Movie.

First released on home video (DVD) on June 2, 2006. Released for the first time on Blu-ray on October 17, 2006. July 6, 2004. Glory Road is available on Disney+

CAST AND CREW

• Director: James Gartner
• Producer: Jerry Bruckheimer, Andy Given (Executive Producer), Chad Omen (Executive Producer), Pat Sandston (Associate Producer), Mike Stenson (Executive Producer)
• Writer: Chris Cleveland, Bettina Gilois
• Cinematography: Jeffrey L. Kimball, John Toon
• Editor: Jason Hellman, John Wright
• Casting: Ronna Kress
• Production Designer: Geoffrey Kirkland
• Art Director: Kevin Constant
• Costume Designer: Alix Friedberg
• Music: Trevor Rabin
• Cast: Josh Lucas (as Don Haskins), Derek Luke (as Bobby Joe Hill), Austin Nichols (as Jerry Armstrong), Jon Voight (as Adolph Rupp), Evan Jones (as Moe Iba), Schin A.S. Kerr (as David Lattin), Alphonso McAuley (as Artis), Mehcad Brooks (as Henry Flourney), Sam Jones III (as Willie Worsley), Damaine Radcliffe (as Willie "Scoops" Cager), Emily Deschanel (as Mary Haskins), Al Shearer (as  Shed), Red West (as Ross Moore), Tatyana Ali (as Tina Malichi)

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• MPAA Rating: PG
• Runtime: 118 minutes
• Sound Mix: Dolby Digital
• Format: Color
• Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1
• Genre: Adventure, Biography, Drama, Live-Action, Sports (from movies.disney.com)

BOX OFFICE NUMBERS (according to IMDb)

• Budget: $30,000,000 (estimated)
• Opening Weekend (U.S. & Canada): $13,594,73
• Gross (U.S. & Canada): $42,647,44
• Gross (Worldwide): $42,938,449.

RATINGS

• My Rating: 3.50 (out of 5)
• Rotten Tomatoes: 55% (Tomatometer) / 81% Popcornmeter
• Metacritic: 58 (Metascore) / 7.6 (User Score)
• Internet Movie Database: 7.2/10
• The Movie DB: 74% (User Score)
• Letterbxd: 3.40 (out of 5)
• Combined Rating: 69.25

MY THOUGHTS

Glory Road is a straightforward but emotionally effective movie that tells an important story about leadership, perseverance, and racial integration in college athletics. While it follows familiar sports-movie conventions and the ending is already known, its historical significance and strong performances give it a lasting impact.

Have you seen Glory Road? Share your thoughts in the comment section. 

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