Remember The Titans

Remember The Titans is rated PG: for thematic elements and some language

After showing young audiences how to steal cars (Gone in 60 Seconds) and justifying the exploitation of your body to earn a living (Coyote Ugly), Jerry Bruckheimer will likely surprise many parents with possibly the best family movie of 2000 -- Remember the Titans.

After visiting Alexandria, Virginia a couple of years ago, screenwriter Greg Howard wrote the script for Remember the Titans because he was inspired by the influence the Titans (a high school football team) had on their hometown during the 70's, the effects of which are still visible today. Based closely on the 1971 struggle that occurred when three high schools and two races were integrated into one, the story focuses on the school board's decision to replace long-standing Caucasian football coach Bill Yoast (Will Patton) with African-American Herman Boone (Denzel Washington).

With the white students and community ready to boycott the school, Boone concentrates on teaching his students something far more important than throwing a nice spiral. By channeling the boys' aggressions into football instead of racism, Boone turns their anger into a positive motivating force. Within a few months, these teens become a solid work-together team -- not only playing incredible football, but also teaching classmates and parents a few things about tolerance.

If the words sentimental, cheesy, or clich0xE9 come to mind, let me assure you when compared to the recent glut of teen films romanticizing drugs, sex, booze, and irresponsible behavior, I'd hardly call a script about some zealous do-good kids "typical."

Besides minor violence related to racial tensions, a handful of mild profanities, and a quick male-to-male kiss instigated by a long-haired player to quiet a teasing teammate (his sexual orientation is never determined), this movie will likely leave parents and teens positively impressed. Yoast, Boone, and the students act as powerful examples of co-operation, standing for what they know is right, and demonstrating the educational value of high school athletics.

Perhaps the real Yoast sums it up best in a recent interview: "I could have handled the football, but what Herman did with those boys, nobody else could have done."

Studio: 2000 Disney Enterprises, Inc and Jerry Bruckheimer, Inc.

What did playing the game of football do to help the students overcome their prejudices toward each other? Can you think of other activities that may help people overcome their differences and begin working together?

Once the students on the football team understood the importance of respecting each other regardless of race or color, they had a difficult time accepting the intolerance of the other students and their parents. How did they begin to change the attitudes held by the community of Alexandria? Were their tactics ever violent?

Interested in other movies about prejudice, try Freedom Song. For another great football movie try Rudy.

DVD Release Date: 14 March 2006
Director Boaz Yakin takes this opportunity to show audiences Remember The Titans, the way he envisioned it. In this DVD re-release, a few previously deleted scenes have been added to the popular family movie from 2000. Although minor embellishments, they include a brief meeting with Yoast’s ex-wife, and the football team pulling rank on a restaurant owner who refuses to serve colored people. The disc also boasts three featurettes: Denzel Becomes Boone, Beating the Odds, and Remember the Titians: An Inspirational Journey Behind the Scenes—hosted by pro football legend Lynn Swann. Audio tracks are available in English (Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound) and French, with subtitles in French and Spanish.