Does the movie the express stay true to the actual story of syracuse star ernie davis. Dennis quaid and darrin dewitt henson in the express 2008 rob brown and omar. The ernie davis story is a 2008 american sports film produced by john davis and directed by gary fleder. Ernie davis is a young black man living up north in the 1940s, where discrimination. The formula is basic and durable, and when you hitch it to a good story, you can hardly fail.
R biography, drama movie 20 searching for bobby fischer. A drama based on the life of college football hero ernie davis, the first african american to. Davis was seen as a hero and a man of true character while facing racism and discrimination o. Express yourself the ernie davis story the bible and. Watch the express online stream full movie directv. There are elements of truth in the cotton bowl segment, which accounted for three pages in the elmira express, robert c. The express, a biopic about davis that opens friday, is at least in theory supposed to be based on his real life. The inspiring story of ernie the elmira express davis, the first african american to win the heisman trophy. The express is a biopic movie that focuses on the life of ernie davis, the first africanamerican athlete who received the muchcoveted heisman trophy. Dubbed the elmira express because of his tireless drive, davis. At the end of the movie, ernie davis is introduced with the browns before their preseason game against the pittsburgh steelers, wearing his cleveland browns uniform. Family life blogger gina chen writes that she feels a little duped by the movie, and wonders what ernie davis would say a few intense scenes of racial bigotry in the express hollywoods. Based on a true story, the express follows the extraordinary life of college football hero ernie davis, the first africanamerican to win the heisman trophy. Remember ernie davis, the first africanamerican to win the heisman trophy before his life was tragically cut short by leukemia.
Robert gallagher did an amazing job illustrating ernie davis life story. The express movie guide 2008 the ernie davis story tpt. The storyline was conceived from a screenplay written by charles leavitt from a book titled ernie davis. It is based on the life of syracuse university football player ernie davis, the first african american to win the heisman trophy.
The elmira express on which the movie, the express, is based may not be the most literary piece of work ever written, but it the real story of ernie davis legacy. The ernie davis story encompasses his short twenty three years of life, ending in 1963. Gary fleders biopic of syracuse running back ernie davis, hits all the conventional. The film is based on the life of syracuse university football player ernie davis, the first african american to win the heisman trophy, portrayed by actor rob brown. When davis later became a star running back for the syracuse orangemen, his. Ernie davis, a young black athlete who overcomes adversity and racism, leads his college football program to a championship. The ernie davis story offers discussion topics, writing activities and service project ideas for youth ages 18 based on the central themes in the book and the movie. The express is involving and inspiring in the way a good movie about sports almost always is. Her critically acclaimed film debut was in the film american violet 2008 alongside alfre woodard, tim blake nelson and will patton. Davis was a player for syracuse university during late 1950s and early 1960s who went on to become the first african american to win the heisman trophy.
Gallagher s biography of davis that is the alleged basis for the film but accounts for probably 15 to 20 minutes of the twohour movie. The film is wise not to present schwartzwalder as wholly color blind. Its available to watch on tv, online, tablets, phone. Gallagher, began production in april 2007 and was released on october 10, 2008. Rob brown plays ernie davis, while dennis quaid lends a supporting role as coach ben schwartzwalder. It is directed by gary fleder, produced by john davis, and based on the screenplay by charles leavitt.
It follows davis life from his early youth in elmira, new york, in the 1940s and 50s. The movie may make for good family viewing, but this book explains the true story of just how brave, unselfish and caring this young man was, right up until his death. Gary fleder does more than that in telling the story of ernie davis the elmira express, the running back for syracuse who became the first africanamerican to win the heisman trophy, in 1961. The express 2008 cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. Tvma baseball, sports movie 2001 gods and monsters. Gallagher is an extremely inspiring and motivating book. Ernie davis was a star athlete at syracuse university and the first african american to win the heisman trophy. The ernie davis story, directed by gary fleder and based on the nonfiction book the elmira express. Beharie also played ernie davis girlfriend in the movie the express 2008.
Schwartzwalder recruits davis with the help of allamerican running back, jim brown. The express, gary fleders biopic of syracuse running back ernie davis, hits all the conventional plot points of the traditional inspirational football story. In the movie, the team is told outside the cotton bowl that the hotel where the banquet is. The 2008 universal pictures film the express, based on the nonfiction book ernie davis. Davis was drafted by pro football, but then leukemia was discovered, he never played a pro game and died in 1963. The ernie davis story is an american sports film directed by gary fleder released by universal pictures on october 10, 2008. This biopic focuses on the relationship of ernie davis 19391963, a gifted africanamerican athlete, and his coach from 1958 to 1962 at syracuse university, ben schwartzwalder 19091993.
I wanted this movie because ernie davis was a local young man from western pennsylvania that was an exceptional athlete. His fight for equality and respect forever changed the face of american sports, and his story continues to inspire new generations. Based on the reallife story of college football hero ernie davis, the express will remind some moviegoers of the hearttugging brians song. Born into poverty, ernie davis rob brown overcomes many obstacles to get into syracuse universitys football program. The ernie davis story, based on the nonfiction book ernie davis. Rob brown stars as trailblazer ernie davis, the first africanamerican to win the heisman trophy. Football great jim brown on the express and why kobe needs to step it up. Witness the inspirational true story of a real american hero. A drama based on the life of college football hero ernie davis, the first africanamerican to. Starring dennis quaid as the hardnosed coach that helped drive him to greatness, the express is a powerful story of triumph on and off the. I ordered the express paperback as a christmas gift. Starring dennis quaid as the hardnosed coach that helped drive him to greatness, the express is a powerful story of triumph on and off the field that will. Not to take anything away from ernie davis great achievement the movie is very accurate to his winning the heisman trophy. Here was a young man who came from a broken home and a life of poverty, and through hard work, commitment to excellence and strength of character became the best in his sport, receiving college footballs highest honorthe heisman trophy.
In america in the late 1950s and early 60s, one young man became a symbol for a country grappling to move. Rising from the humblest of beginnings, ernie davis rob brown overcame impossible odds to become the first africanamerican to win college footballs greatest honor the heisman trophy. Not to take anything away from ernie davis great achievement the movie is. The score is correct syracuse beat the longhorns, 2314. In real life, owner art modell wanted ernie introduced in his uniform, but coach paul brown wouldnt allow it because ernie wasnt officially on clevelands roster. The only fulllength biography of davis, ernie davis. Starring dennis quaid as the hardnosed coach that helped drive him to greatness, the express is a powerful story of triumph on and off the field that will have you cheering again and again. The ernie davis story, on which the movie is based. Rent the express 2008 on dvd and bluray dvd netflix.
Watch the express starring dennis quaid in this drama on directv. Watch the express streaming online hulu free trial. In the express, a sturdy new biopic of legendary syracuse running back ernie davis, the real contest is waged against racism. Dennis quaid plays a coach in the story of ernie davis. I loved the movie based on the true life of ernie davis so i knew i would love the book as well. He left his legacy behind as he was the first african american to win the heisman trophy, the most glorified award in college football. The express is more or less a biography of davis, played by rob brown in a likable if somewhat stiff performance. The express tells the story of ernie davis, the first africanamerican to win the coveted heismann trophy for general excellence in college football. Ernie davis rob brown and teammate jack buckley omar benson miller charm gloria baker linara washington and sarah ward nicole behaire in the express. Universal pictures made a film the express on the same book which began production on april, 2007 and was released on october 10th, 2008. The epic scene where ernie davis comes out to play with a torn hamstring. Not long before he died he had won the heisman, and met jfk who wanted to congratulate him for his courage.
Based on a true story, the express follows the extraordinary life of college football hero ernie davis rob brown, the first africanamerican to win the heisman trophy. Under the guidance of coach ben schwartzwalder dennis quaid, davis becomes one of the schools best. The stiffness comes in part from the script, by charles leavitt, which is. Ernest davis december 14, 1939 may 18, 1963 was an american football player, a halfback. Football great jim brown on the express and why kobe. Gallagher, helped keep davis memory alive by exposing new generations of. Gallaghers biography of davis that is the alleged basis for the film but. Based on the incredible true story, the express follows the inspirational life of college football hero ernie davis rob brown, the first.
This biopic focuses on the relationship of ernie davis 19391963, a gifted africanamerican athlete, and his coach from 1958 to 1962 at. The life story ernie davis, the first black player to win the heisman trophy, whose nfl career was cut short by leukemia. The express original motion picture soundtrack mark isham. The express, follows the true story of ernie davis.
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