E-Journal 3- March 10, 2009

The Black Sports Film: Analyzing the Similarities

One Script: Several Movies
My dad is a sports buff and because of it I have purchased for him nearly every birthday and Christmas a new sports movie, and lately a lot of them have been related to the civil rights movement and black equality. Remember the Titans, Coach Carter, Radio, Glory Road, and Hurricane are just some of the latest films to hit the big screen. Each and every film tells the story of a deserving era and tell an inspiring story; but when analyzed their perspective still is slightly tilted.

Neely Tucker of the Washington Post was my inspiration of this African-American sports movie critique. In the October 20, 2008 edition of the Washington Post, Tucker recognizes and critiques these films for following a similar script.

After “Titans,” which took in $115 million at the U.S. box office, more studios adopted the same formula: Revisit the civil rights era through a feel-good sports epic, based on a true story. Have some clearly identified white racists, some good white folks and a black hero, who is possessed of a greater morality, patience and ability. Show the whites helping in key moments, either with bureaucracy or running interference against racists. In the final reel, have the white and black main characters as close friends.--Tucker, Washington Post

In the following paragraphs, I will walk through some of the influential African American sports films of the past decades, focusing mainly on clips from Disney's Remember the Titans. Branching from Tucker's critique, I will analyze the film for it's growth and change from classical black film style but also for it's similar script, stereotypical characters, and white and black buddy film style.

Remember the Titans

Remember the Titans (2000)was one of the first films which was part of a trend to use sports to tell the story of the Civil Rights movement. The text explains throughout the chapter that Hollywood played if very safe during the actual Civil Rights movement and rarely showed black characters or issues, but lately the stories have finally began to unfold. Many movies of this type focus on the integration of black and white athletes or coaches. Remember the Titans is an inspirational story about a football team learning to become one after two schools (one black and one white) join together in the 1970's. It is a "based on a true story" film, however, Tucker points out that the plot line was changed.

It starred Denzel Washington as Boone at T.C. Williams High, taking over and integrating the team in 1971. In real life, the team played other integrated teams and roared to an undefeated, rarely-scored-upon state title. In the film, they play against all-white teams and Washington's character withstands racist referees, school boosters and team mutinies to win the championship on a last-second, miracle play.-- Tucker, Washington Post

So why was the story changed? Why did there become racist opponents and referees? Why didn't they keep it based on a true story? I believe their are two reasons-one, because the formula works...so why change it? And two, because there still is inequality in the upper representation of the film industry. Griffin and Benshoff point out on page 100,

....black filmmakers have also made great progress:gone are the days of segregated studio lots and "separate but equal" movie houses. However, people who work in the Hollywood industry continue to the prevalence of structural racism that makes it difficult for blacks to advance to the highest position of power.

Because of that inequality, films are still being shown through a white perspective. Many of our class discussion in Comm 491 have dissected this issue and we have realized how degrading it is. When a story is told by someone who hasn't experienced it, it is only spreading false truths...especially because these mediums are some peoples only form of knowledge. When sports films of this type are changed to include more prominent white characters, white friends, or white perspective, we usually change the actual story wanted to be told.

In the following clip of Coach Boone, watch how he becomes the black hero, who does tell a very deserving inspirational story about Gettysburg that motivates the team, but still is just one of the parts of the common script.

"You listen, and you take a lesson from the dead. If we don't come together right now on this hallowed ground, we too will be destroyed, just like they were. I don't care if you like each other of not, but you will respect each other. And maybe... I don't know, maybe we'll learn to play this game like men."

The lines of Coach Boone is influential. He is encouraging both black and white to join together, despite color and learn to play this game like "men". His story is motivating and it is a turning point of the film and a very recognized speech of the movie. It shows how far African-Americans have came on film, but it also shows one setback that is hard to avoid...the concept of the "black and white buddy film formula." The following clip images are just a few of the many examples in Remember the Titans of the formulaic black sports movie equation.

In the first picture, both captains of the original teams are hostile and defensive. However, as the story builds their friendship grows. The second picture is an image of the two coaches who had their differences hosting the trophy as one, symbolizing they have overcome their problems. While Denzel Washington is the main character of the storyline, the producers are careful to keep Coach Yoast, played by Will Patton in the fore front. This biracial casting makes "the film appeal to both white and black audiences" the text explains.

The black and white buddy formula is seen in almost all black sports movies. Radio: Radio is mentored by the white head coach. Glory Road: the white coach mentors and takes over a mainly black team. Brian's Song: the relationship of two football players, one black and one white. Jerry McGuire: White agent for black football player. Even look as far back as Cool Runnings: white man coaches black team.

Once we actually sit and analyze it, it is clear to see the African-American sports movie formula. Neely Tucker hit it right on the head in his Washington Post article. African Americans in films have took leaps and bounds forward, but there still is work to do. Until the structure of Hollywood becomes equal, black stories will always have white perspectives. The black and white buddy film works too well for white executives to make a change, and until then the inspirational sport stories will miss the most important inspirational message.