A coach with a checkered past and a local drunk train a small-town high school basketball team to become a top contender for the state championship in 1950s Indiana.
Director:
Writer:
Awards:
- Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 3 wins & 3 nominations.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| Gene Hackman | ... |
Coach Norman Dale
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| Barbara Hershey | ... |
Myra Fleener
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| Dennis Hopper | ... |
Shooter Fletch
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| Sheb Wooley | ... |
Cletus Summers
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Fern Persons | ... |
Opal Fleener
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| Chelcie Ross | ... |
George
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| Robert Swan | ... |
Rollin Butcher
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Michael O'Guinne | ... |
Rooster
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Wil Dewitt | ... |
Reverend Doty
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John Robert Thompson | ... |
Sheriff Finley
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| Michael Sassone | ... |
Preacher Purl
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Gloria Dorson | ... |
Millie
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Mike Dalzell | ... |
Mayor Carl
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Skip Welker | ... |
Junior
(as Calvert L. Welker)
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Eric Gilliom | ... |
J. June
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Robert Boyle | ... |
Referee (Oolitic)
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Jerry D. Petro | ... |
Referee - Oolitic Game
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Sam Smiley | ... |
Referee - Cedar Knob Game
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Tom McConnell | ... |
Coach - Cedar Knob
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Dennis Farkas | ... |
Gorilla Player - Cedar Knob
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Tim Fogarty | ... |
Referee - Verdi Game
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Spyridon Stratigos | ... |
Referee - Loogootee Game
(as Don Stratigos)
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| Ken Strunk | ... |
Referee - Dugger Game
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Jerry D. Larrison | ... |
Referee - Terhune Game
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Thomas W. Marshall | ... |
Referee - Terhune Game
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Gary Long | ... |
Coach - Jasper
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C.W. Mundy | ... |
Coach - Jasper
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Jeff Moster | ... |
Player - Jasper
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Ralph H. Shively | ... |
Doc Buggins
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| Rich Komenich | ... |
Reporter
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Scott Miley | ... |
Reporter
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| Robert Sutton | ... |
Reporter
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Ray Crowe | ... |
Coach - State
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Ray Craft | ... |
Official - Finals
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Tom Carnegie | ... |
Finals P.A. Announcer
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Hilliard Gates | ... |
Radio Announcer - Finals
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Laura Robling | ... |
Hickory Cheerleader
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Nancy Harris | ... |
Hickory Cheerleader
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Libbey Schenck | ... |
Hickory Cheerleader
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Brad Boyle | ... |
Whit Butcher
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Steve Hollar | ... |
Rade
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Brad Long | ... |
Buddy
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| David Neidorf | ... |
Everett Fletch
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Kent Poole | ... |
Merle
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Wade Schenck | ... |
Ollie
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Scott Summers | ... |
Strap Purl
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Maris Valainis | ... |
Jimmy Chitwood
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The Travel-Aires | ... |
Star Spangled Banner Quartet
(as Travel-Aires)
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
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John E. Blazier | ... |
Spectator in Jasper Gym (uncredited)
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| Matt Boatright-Simon | ... |
Meredith (uncredited)
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| Anthony Bruce | ... |
Basketball Fan (uncredited)
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Dan Davis | ... |
Townsperson (uncredited)
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Erin Eller | ... |
Fan (uncredited)
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Steven Engle | ... |
Hickory Fan (uncredited)
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| Mark Falvo | ... |
Basketball Fan (uncredited)
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Todd Fishel | ... |
Spectator at State Finals (uncredited)
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Bill Gulde | ... |
Spotlight Blocker (uncredited)
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Hugh Richard Heinsohn | ... |
Angry Citizen (uncredited)
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Brian Hulse | ... |
Pep Band Trumpet Player (uncredited)
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Kenny Jobe | ... |
Star Spangled Banner Quartet (uncredited)
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Kent Kercheval | ... |
Star Spangled Banner Quartet (uncredited)
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Darrin Lafferty | ... |
Star Spangled Banner Quartet (uncredited)
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Dennis Lafferty | ... |
Star Spangled Banner Quartet (uncredited)
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Duke Thomas Low | ... |
Reporter (uncredited)
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Jeff Malott | ... |
Player - Loogootee & Madison (uncredited)
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Steve Mirer | ... |
Townsperson at Church (uncredited)
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| Darrin Murrell | ... |
Basketball Fan (uncredited)
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Bobby Plump | ... |
Self (uncredited)
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Jim Rayl | ... |
Terhune 5 Sectional Championship (uncredited)
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Kenny Redman | ... |
Hickory Fan (uncredited)
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| Ron Russell | ... |
Spectator (uncredited)
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Cotton Walker | ... |
Spectator at State Finals (uncredited)
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| Kathryn Kermon Wasson | ... |
Spectator (uncredited)
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Aaron Weiler | ... |
Spectator at State Finals (uncredited)
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Directed by
| David Anspaugh | ||
Written by
| Angelo Pizzo | ... | (written by) |
Produced by
| John Daly | ... | executive producer |
| Carter DeHaven | ... | producer (as Carter De Haven) |
| Derek Gibson | ... | executive producer |
| Graham Henderson | ... | associate producer |
| Angelo Pizzo | ... | producer |
Music by
| Jerry Goldsmith | ||
Cinematography by
| Fred Murphy | ... | director of photography |
Editing by
| Carroll Timothy O'Meara | ... | (as C. Timothy O'Meara) |
Editorial Department
| Mark Eggenweiler | ... | assistant film editor |
| Vivian Hengsteler | ... | negative cutter |
| Dan Muscarella | ... | color timer (as Daniel Muscarella) |
| Frank J. Urioste | ... | additional film editor |
| Robert Wheeler | ... | second assistant film editor |
Casting By
| Ken Carlson | ||
Production Design by
| David Nichols | ||
Art Direction by
| David Lubin | ||
Set Decoration by
| Janis Lubin | ||
| Brendan Smith | ||
Costume Design by
| Jane Anderson | ||
Makeup Department
| Daniel Marc | ... | hair stylist |
| Carole Scheidler | ... | assistant hair stylist |
| Ronnie Specter | ... | makeup artist |
| Michael Williams | ... | assistant hair stylist |
Production Management
| Graham Henderson | ... | unit production manager |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Herb Adelman | ... | first assistant director |
| Larry M. Davis | ... | second second assistant director |
| Forrest L. Futrell | ... | first assistant director: second unit |
| Angelo Pizzo | ... | second unit director |
| Harvey Waldman | ... | key second assistant director |
Art Department
| Richard Baum | ... | assistant property master (as Rich Baum) |
| Clayton Hartley | ... | assistant art director: second unit |
| Brick Mason | ... | production illustrator |
| Raoul Moore | ... | head carpenter |
| James A. Rathbun | ... | property master |
| Mark Wieringa | ... | construction coordinator (as Mark W. Wieringa) |
| Gayle Wurthner | ... | scenic artist |
| Bill Gold | ... | poster designer (uncredited) |
| Todd Hatfield | ... | painter (uncredited) |
Sound Department
| David Brownlow | ... | production sound mixer |
| Pieter Hubbard | ... | sound editor |
| David J. Hudson | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Peter F. Kurland | ... | boom operator |
| Mel Metcalfe | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Dan O'Connell | ... | foley artist |
| Bill Phillips | ... | supervising sound editor |
| John Phillips | ... | assistant sound editor |
| Terry Porter | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Hal Sanders | ... | sound editor |
| Mike Warner | ... | sound editor |
| Ed Golya | ... | adr mixer (uncredited) |
| Gary A. Hecker | ... | foley artist (uncredited) |
Stunts
| Geoff Brewer | ... | stunts |
| Dean Raphael Ferrandini | ... | stunts (as Dean Ferrandini) |
| Gary Jensen | ... | stunts |
| Ernie F. Orsatti | ... | stunt coordinator (as Ernie Orsatti) |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Tom Countryman | ... | crane operator |
| Don Devine | ... | first assistant camera |
| David Dubois | ... | electrician |
| Gary Farr | ... | still photographer |
| John K. Farr | ... | grip (as John Farr) |
| Robert Gray | ... | key grip (as Bob Gray) |
| Khan Griffith | ... | dolly grip |
| Christopher Hackman | ... | second assistant camera: second unit |
| Scott Howell | ... | best boy grip (as Scott A. Howell) |
| Ian Kincaid | ... | gaffer |
| Kim Kono | ... | best boy electric (as Kim K. Kono) |
| Philip Lee | ... | second assistant camera |
| Mosh Levin | ... | assistant steadicam operator |
| Jeff Lint | ... | electrician |
| Danny McDermott | ... | electrician |
| Randy Nolen | ... | steadicam operator |
| Frank Perl | ... | first assistant camera: second unit |
| Patrick Reddish | ... | gaffer: second unit |
| Morgan Renard | ... | still photographer |
| Jon Tilton | ... | rigging gaffer |
| Oliver Wood | ... | director of photography: second unit |
| David Yosha | ... | grip |
| Thom Zimmerman | ... | second camera operator |
| Karl Hall Koch | ... | head rigging electrician (uncredited) |
Casting Department
| Barbara Harris | ... | voice casting |
| Stephen Meyers | ... | extras casting coordinator |
| Kristin Nelson | ... | casting associate |
| Debby Shively | ... | extras casting assistant |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Dorothy Amos | ... | wardrobe |
| Dino Giacomin | ... | wardrobe supervisor |
| Murshel Lewis | ... | wardrobe (as Murshel C. Lewis) |
| Jeanne Mascia | ... | wardrobe (as M. Jeanne Mascia) |
| Mary Law Weir | ... | key costumer (as Mary Weir) |
Location Management
| Rick Schmidlin | ... | location manager |
| Pat Webb | ... | assistant location manager |
Music Department
| Budd Carr | ... | music supervisor |
| Kenneth Hall | ... | music editor |
| Arthur Morton | ... | orchestrator |
| Mike Ross-Trevor | ... | music recordist (as Mike Ross) |
| Jerry Goldsmith | ... | conductor (uncredited) / musician (uncredited) |
| Joel Goldsmith | ... | music producer (uncredited) |
Script and Continuity Department
| Marilyn Bailey | ... | script supervisor |
Transportation Department
| Steve Anton | ... | transportation captain (as Steven Anton) |
| Tom Countryman | ... | driver: insert car |
| George Dale | ... | driver: honeywagon |
| William 'Fleet' Eakland | ... | transportation coordinator (as William Eakland) |
| Bart Heimburger | ... | period vehicle coordinator |
| Michael Hendrickson | ... | transportation co-captain |
| Daniel Rothstein | ... | driver: production van |
Additional Crew
| Tom Abernathy | ... | technical advisor |
| Frans J. Afman | ... | motion picture banking: Credit Lyonnais Bank, Nederland |
| Christopher S. Capp | ... | production assistant |
| Jerome Harold Cler | ... | production assistant |
| John Collier Bennett | ... | production assistant |
| Maureen Duffy | ... | production secretary (as Maureen Ann Duffy) |
| Matt Gatson | ... | production assistant |
| Glenn Gaylord | ... | assistant production accountant |
| Ellen Gelzleichter | ... | first aid |
| Leon Griffith | ... | police officer: Indiana State |
| Alan Grodin | ... | legal services: Cooper, Epstein & Hurewitz |
| Tim Harte | ... | police coordinator: Indiana State (as Sgt. Tim Harte) |
| Robert Jellen | ... | insurance: Albert G. Ruben and Company Inc. |
| Jonathan Locke | ... | assistant craft service |
| Diana Mazza | ... | advisor: cheerleading |
| Tom McConnell | ... | technical advisor |
| Cathy Mickel Gibson | ... | production accountant |
| Karen Altman Morgenstern | ... | production coordinator |
| Jeff Morrell | ... | production assistant |
| Phill Norman | ... | title designer |
| Eric Parkinson | ... | Hemdale studio executive |
| Fiora Pizzo | ... | production assistant |
| Luis Reyes | ... | unit publicist |
| Trudy Salven | ... | travel arrangements: TST International |
| Daniel Schott | ... | craft service (as Daniel K. Schott) |
| Spyridon Stratigos | ... | basketball coordinator (as Spyridon 'Strats' Stratigos) |
| John Wheeler | ... | police officer: Indiana State |
| Laurie White | ... | assistant: Mr. De Haven |
| J. David Williams | ... | financier |
| Dianne E. Collins | ... | publicist: M/S Billings Publicity Ltd. (uncredited) |
| Jonathan Sheinberg | ... | Head of Production Orion Pictures (uncredited) |
Thanks
| Karen Galvin | ... | the producers wish to thank |
| John Mutz | ... | the producers wish to thank (as Lt. Governor John Mutz) |
| Robert D. Orr | ... | the producers wish to thank (as Governor Robert Orr) |
Production Companies
Distributors
- Cannon Nova Film (1988) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
- Orion Pictures (1986) (United States) (theatrical)
- Rank Film Distributors (1987) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- Roadshow Films (1987) (Australia) (theatrical)
- Twentieth Century Fox (1988) (West Germany) (theatrical)
- 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2007) (United States) (Blu-ray)
- 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2012) (United States) (Blu-ray)
- Avid Home Entertainment (1996) (United States) (VHS)
- Disney Channel (1989) (United States) (tv) (as The Disney Channel)
- Family Home Entertainment (FHE) (1993) (United States) (VHS)
- Feature Films for Families (1994) (United States) (VHS)
- HBO Video (1988) (United States) (video) (laserdisc)
- Home Box Office (HBO) (1987) (United States) (tv) (pay television)
- Home Box Office Home Video (HBO) (1988) (United States) (VHS)
- Home Video Hellas (HVH) (1988) (Greece) (VHS)
- Image Entertainment (1988) (United States) (video) (laserdisc)
- LK-TEL Vídeo (1987) (Brazil) (VHS)
- LK-TEL (1987) (Argentina) (VHS)
- Live Entertainment (1997) (United States) (DVD)
- MGM Home Entertainment (2004) (Spain) (DVD)
- MGM Home Entertainment (2000) (United States) (DVD)
- MGM Home Entertainment (2000) (United States) (VHS)
- MGM Home Entertainment (2003) (France) (DVD)
- MGM Home Entertainment (2003) (Germany) (DVD)
- MGM Home Entertainment (2003) (United Kingdom) (DVD)
- MGM Home Entertainment (2004) (Netherlands) (DVD)
- MGM Home Entertainment (2005) (United States) (DVD)
- MGM Networks (2007) (India) (tv)
- Pioneer Entertainment (1996) (United States) (video) (laserdisc)
- RCA / Columbia Pictures Video (1987) (United Kingdom) (VHS)
- RCA/Columbia Pictures International Video (1988) (West Germany) (VHS)
- RCA/Columbia-Hoyts Home Video (1987) (Australia) (VHS)
- USA Network (1991) (United States) (tv)
- Vestron Video (1988) (United States) (VHS)
- Video Collection International (1991) (United Kingdom) (VHS)
- Warner Bros. Home Entertainment (2020) (United States) (Blu-ray) (reprint for MGM)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- Albert G. Ruben and Company (insurance)
- Butler University (the producers wish to thank)
- Carlson - Dowd (casting)
- Cooper, Epstein & Hurewitz (legal services)
- Credit Lyonnais Bank (Nederland) N.V. (motion picture banking)
- Dolby Laboratories (sound)
- Dolby Stereo (in selected theatres)
- Film Finance (completion guarantee)
- Indiana Barber/Stylist College (additional assistant hairdresser from)
- Indiana Film Commission (the producers wish to thank)
- KO Creative (package design and layout)
- Keylite Production Services (production services and equipment)
- Motion Picture Association (MPA)
- National Barber/Stylist College (additional assistant hairdresser from)
- Otto Nemenz International (camera and lenses)
- Pacific Title (titles and opticals)
- People of Knightstown (the producers wish to thank)
- People of New Richmond (the producers wish to thank)
- People of Nineveh (the producers wish to thank)
- Polydor (original soundtrack available on)
- Sports Studio (wardrobe)
- TST International (travel arrangements)
- Todd-AO/Glen Glenn Studios (sound re-recording)
- Unique Catering (catering)
- Yamaha (digital keyboard provided by)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
Based on the true story of a small-town Indiana team that made the state finals in 1954, this movie chronicles the attempts of a coach with a spotty past, and the town's basketball-loving drunk to lead their high school team to victory.
Written by Thomas Pluck |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | It'll go straight to your heart. See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
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Additional Details
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Box Office
| Budget | $6,000,000 (estimated) |
| Opening Weekend United States | $220,068, 16 Nov 1986 |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | For the scene where Dennis Hopper stumbles onto the court drunk during the sectional game, Hopper wanted a 10-second notice before the director called action. He spun around for 10 seconds, allowing him to stagger onto the court and appear drunk. He remembered James Dean in Giant (1956) asking George Stevens for 30 seconds so he could spin around to better feel the inebriation. See more » |
| Goofs | The scoreboard at the final game is more electronic than the mechanical clocks and numerical flip-cards used in the 1950s. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in Something Wild/The Mission/Hoosiers/Sky Bandits (1986). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Big Band Highlight No. 2 See more » |
| Quotes |
[Just before the big game]
Preacher Purl: And David put his hand in the bag and took out a stone and slung it. And it struck the Philistine on the head and he fell to the ground. Amen. See more » |