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Based on a true story, The Express follows the extraordinary life of college football hero Ernie Davis (Rob Brown), the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy. His fight for equality and respect forever changed the face of American sports, and his story continues to inspire new generations.
Raised in poverty in Pennsylvania coal-mining country, Davis hurdled social and economic obstacles to become one of the greatest running backs in college football history. Under the guidance of legendary Syracuse coach Ben Schwartzwalder (Dennis Quaid), he became a hero who superseded Jim Brown's achievements and set records that stand to this day.
Decorated veteran Schwartzwalder was a Southerner with a single vision of a national championship and hardened ideas about how the world worked. But though he and Davis clashed mightily, he taught the player everything he knew about football, just as Davis helped him learn the true meaning of victory.
As the growing civil rights movement divided the country in the '60s, Davis became a symbol for achievement that transcended race. Refusing to flinch from others' prejudices, he achieved all his goals-until he faced a challenge that would make most men crumble. He joined the ranks of black pioneers by teaching a generation tolerance, inspiring a movement that smashed barriers on and off the field.
Original Release
10/10/2008
US Release
10/10/2008
Links
Cast
Name | Character |
---|
Rob Brown | Ernie Davis |
Dennis Quaid | Ben Schwartzwalder |
Darrin Dewitt Henson | Jim Brown |
Omar Benson Miller | Jack Buckley |
Nelsan Ellis | Will Davis, Jr. |
Charles S. Dutton | Willie 'Pops' Davis |
Justin Martin | Young Ernie |
Justin Jones | Young Will |
Nicole Beharie | Sarah Ward |
Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor | Marie Davis |
Directors
Writers
Charles Leavitt, Robert Gallagher
Cast
Name | Character |
---|
Rob Brown | Ernie Davis |
Dennis Quaid | Ben Schwartzwalder |
Darrin Dewitt Henson | Jim Brown |
Omar Benson Miller | Jack Buckley |
Nelsan Ellis | Will Davis, Jr. |
Charles S. Dutton | Willie 'Pops' Davis |
Justin Martin | Young Ernie |
Justin Jones | Young Will |
Nicole Beharie | Sarah Ward |
Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor | Marie Davis |
Elizabeth Shivers | Elizabeth Davis |
Clancy Brown | Roy Simmons |
Danny McCarthy | Bill Bell |
Regina Hoyles | Sister |
Chelcie Ross | Lew Andreas |
Saul Rubinek | Art Modell |
Craig Hawksley | George Marshall |
Jeff Still | Al Malette |
Geoff Stults | Bob Lundy |
Derek Graf | Maury Youmans |
Producers
Name | Role |
---|
Derek Dauchy | Executive Producer |
Arne Schmidt | Executive Producer |
Adam Coplan | Producer |
John Davis | Producer |