The road to fame is the one less traveled, some say. However, Glory Road, the directorial debut for James Gartner, is certain to reach the heights of good box office. Based on the true story of the 1966 Texas Western Miners basketball team, the first college team to win the NCAA championship with an all-black starting lineup, the story is more than just another sports film. It has heart and some good lessons to learn about life and taking a risk.
With the help of Coach Don Haskins (Josh Lucas), The 1966 Texas Westerners changed basketball forever. In the 60’s it was unheard of to play more than one or two African American players. When Don Haskins was appointed Head Coach of The 1966 Texas Western Miners, he had little choices. With no enough money to offer players, he couldn’t attract the cream of the crop – or so he thought.
Starring Josh Lucas, Derek Luke, Mehcad Brooks, Al Shearer and more, Glory Road is full of acting talent that drives this story. The players did a great job of making themselves look like professionals basketball players, even though it wasn’t easy.
“It’s not like riding a bike like everyone thinks,” said Brooks in our interview. “My hat goes off to all the NBA and collegiate players because they make it look so easy. Everybody’s like, oh I could do that, just pass the ball here. Just make the shot! I won’t yell at the game anymore because it’s not that easy to play at that level.”
Derek Luke is an up and comer who gave a great performance as the lead basketball player Bobby Joe Hill. I asked him if he had stayed in good shape after his role in Friday Night Lights?
“No,” he answered, “I was probably 12 dozens of Krispy Kremes later. Something told me to continue working out and stay on a five-day work plan. Friday Night Lights was such an intense program for me; I only ate three things for that movie – egg whites, broccoli and chicken. The rule was there was no season. I had to eat that six times a day, so when it came down to any discipline after that, I said, ‘forget it.’”
Although the other men made their roles believable, it’s Lucas, who pulls off a very convincing Don Haskins, and no doubt makes the best performance. He actually put on weight for the role and met the real Don Haskins.
“He’s a powerful man,” said Lucas. “He’s a very intimidating guy and he has the power to actually freeze you with a stare. In a way I’ve never seen anyone have that ability. He did it to me the moment I met him. The moment he looked at me he lowered down and I almost couldn’t keep eye contact with him because it’s so strong.”
Josh Lucas, producer Jerry Bruckheimer, Coach Don Haskins
Sports movies have always seemed to make have a big appeal. While some films focus only on the game, Glory Road takes a look at the lives of African American players in the mid to late 60s. It’s a touching story of compassion, unity, and one team’s burning desire to prove the world wrong.
This film is rated PG-13, and I don’t recommend bringing small children, as the story film deals with many racist themes, and is at times violence.
Read my interviews with the cast.
