I don't mind admitting that I really love this film. Certainly I consider it one of my favorite sports films. The supporting cast is 'spot-on' - Sheb Wooley, Fern Persons, Barb Hershey and Dennis Hopper (lets no exclude the boys who were the players too!). Gene Hackman is at his most charismatic as the new coach - an outsider entering the small town community to take over the reigns of the much coveted, and puny, basketball team. The school in the movie is so small, in fact, that it can barely field a full squad, they do though - and the name: the 'Hickory Huskers'. David Anspaugh's film is filled with so much small town charm, passion, maturity, acceptance and the type male bonding accomplishments that we reflect on with timeless pride. Many can associate with that type of high school heroics. The soundtrack is a big part of the feel of this film. Jerry Goldsmith was coming off of the most successful period of his career at that time, with several of his most uplifting scores produced in the early 80's. This track has beautiful subtlety as well as pointed aggression when appropriate. I'll wager I've seen this film 6 or 7 times now - I'm content to float back to my high school days, and an imaginary time and place that films rarely venture. A little cloying and all-American - yes, but that's okay - this is  strong feel-good movie. out of  

Gary W. Tooze