Hoosiers

Name: Hoosiers
Genre: Drama, Sport
Released: November 14, 1986
Duration: 114 min
Rating: 77
Cast: Barbara Hershey, Gene Hackman

1986

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 13 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 74 Ratings

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8.2

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8.2	User Score Universal acclaim based on 74 Ratings

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Hoosiers

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Movie Details & Credits

Orion Pictures Corporation | Release Date: November 14, 1986 | PG

Starring: Barbara Hershey, Gene Hackman

Summary: A man (Hackman) gets a last-chance job coaching a small-town Indiana high-school basketball team and faces the dual challenge of bringing this underdog team to the 1951 state championship and redeeming himself from a mysterious past. (MGM)

Director: David Anspaugh

Genre(s): Drama, Sport

Rating: PG

Runtime: 114 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Peter Stack

The pieces of the drama are put forth like the shapes of the five fingers of a hand, and finally they find a kind of awkward unity that was predictable from the start. And yet, the gesture of it all is utterly captivating, the way a dream would be if it ever really came true. [27 Feb 1987, Daily Datebook, p.74]

100

Sheila Benson

It's as engaging, as modest, as utterly American and as thrilling as the true-life story it's based on. [11 Dec 1986, Calendar, p.6-1]

100

Paul Attanasio

Hackman anchors the movie with a performance of remarkable control. You see his hurt in his glances at his shoes, his little phony chuckle; you can feel him carrying his secret -- it's a rage held together with rubber bands. This is the Hackman of "The Conversation," not "The French Connection." [27 Feb 1987, Style, p.c1] Read full review

Janet Maslin

This film's very lack of surprise and sophistication accounts for a lot of its considerable charm. Read full review

Dave Kehr

There is enough intelligence and craftsmanship in the execution of Hoosiers to make it seem, if not exactly fresh, at least respectably entertaining. [27 Feb 1987, Friday, p.A]

TV Guide Magazine Staff (Non Credited)

The film clearly functions as wish-fulfillment for the kind of people who are nostalgic about all-white basketball, leaving a nasty aftertaste. Read full review

Pat Graham

What matters most is feeding white-bread fantasies (the film is set in the slow-footed 50s, when blacks are only a rumor and nobody's ever heard of slam 'n' jam) and laying on the inspirational corn. Read full review

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User Reviews

smiyamot

Nov 29, 2015

A small high school in a little town in rural Indiana, a broken down coach, a former player now the town drunk; doesn't sound like the makings of a classic. As with most "down on their luck" movies, everyone gets a second chance. And this movie is special because most take that secondA small high school in a little town in rural Indiana, a broken down coach, a former player now the town drunk; doesn't sound like the makings of a classic. As with most "down on their luck" movies, everyone gets a second chance. And this movie is special because most take that second chance and succeed. At the end of the movie, you see a photo on the wall of the real coach and players. What! you mean this is a true story! I don't have many DVDs but this one is in my collection.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Ryan

Jan 18, 2006

Sweet movie. One you can watch over and over.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

JanaB.

Jan 29, 2007

This movie is the best sports movie ever!

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Spangle

Oct 28, 2013

Really good film overall. Gene Hackman is fantastic in the lead role and truly makes this movie. Other than that, it pretty much follows the sports movie formula, but does it so well that you can ignore the carbon copy of a plot. Easy to see why this one is a classic.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

FranzHcritic

Jun 6, 2019

It may be sentimental, like many sports dramas, but with 'Hoosiers', that's not such a bad thing. It's hard not to get caught up in an underdog story, and this one is carried by the performances by acting titans Gene Hackman and Dennis Hopper. The rest of the cast fills in their roles withIt may be sentimental, like many sports dramas, but with 'Hoosiers', that's not such a bad thing. It's hard not to get caught up in an underdog story, and this one is carried by the performances by acting titans Gene Hackman and Dennis Hopper. The rest of the cast fills in their roles with grace. It's compelling but it doesn't veer off into being mawkish.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

The3AcademySins

Jul 31, 2018

Hoosiers is a high-school sports classic. Gene Hackman gives a great performance, and he really carries the film. While some moments can seem a little hokey, it's still a good sports classic that is more than worth a viewing.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

quincinema

Jan 10, 2023

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Utterly boring. The dreary characters don't seem to change at all. Ham-fisted romance. Cheesy dialogue. I don't feel a thing when the team wins at the end. A lot of sports movies are a chore for me, but this one takes the cake on dullness.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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