The Express: The Ernie Davis Story (2008)
Directed by Gary FlederThe Express is an American sport-drama movie based on the true events of the career of Ernie Davis (played byRob Brown). The film follows his journey from growing up poor in a racist small town to being the unlikely star of Syracuse’s football and being the first African-American people to win the Heisman Trophy. This movie released on October 10, 2008 in United State and starring
- Rob Brown as Ernie Davis
- Dennis Quaid as Ben Schwartzwalder
- Omar Benson Miller as Jack Buckley
- Aunjanue Ellis as Marie Davis
- Clancy Brown as Roy Simmons
- Darrin Dewitt Henson as Jim Brown
- Saul Rubinek as Art Modell
- Nelsan Ellis as Will Davis, Jr.
Contents
Plot
Ernie Davis (Justin Martin) is an African-American boy whose pace is really useful when racist bullies are chasing him. He is driven along the road of strong values by his traditionalist grandfather (Charles S. Dutton) who has raised him to his home. In high school, Ernie (Rob Brown) impresses everyone with his athletic abilities. He proves to be an incredibly talented football player who's quicker than anybody else on the field. His idols are Jackie Robinson, a baseball star, and Jim Brown (Darrin DeWitt Henson), a football star at Syracuse.
Team coach Ben Schwartzwalder (Dennis Quaid) uses Brown to persuade Davis to come and play with him. The young athlete is not disappointed and, as a result, he is selected to play on the Varsity team during his senior year. Davis finds a good friend in Jack Buckley (Omar Benson Miller), another African-American player, but has a rough time with Bob Lundy (Geoff Stults), a bigoted teammate. Davis sets records in a sparkling 1959 season. But the Syracuse squad has a rough time playing West Virginia and then Texas. Fans loaded the black players with bottles of racial hate hurl.[1]
Pro
Rather than giving up on the situasion Ernie choose to stood up to the harsh realities of racism that infected his country at that time."Davis exhibited admirablecharacteristics such as respectfulness, perseverance, self-control, submissiveness, obedience and humility."[2] In the movie Ernie shows how discrimination and racism wouldn’t stop him from becoming the best football player and being the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy (college football MVP- most valuable player- awarded before the postseason bowl games). Because through the hardworking, practicing and dedicating to the team the victory will come to you.[3]
Black Racism
The movie depicts how Ernie growing up with the racial tension in the 1940s and 50s, even after he join the football team (Syracuse squad).The judges would make cheap calls to Syracuse because they had black men on their squad.[4] The film also portrays racist fans screaming at him and throwing beer cans at the West Virginia and Texas games. Because black players were unwelcome at the time in the South. And then he had to enter the hotels by the back doors and sleep in the quarters of the servants. He was told that he would be present to receive his trophy, but he was not even able to attend the ceremony because it was in a segregated venue.[5]
Reference
- ↑ Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat. A sturdy sports flick about the legendary Ernie Davis who was the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy.. Spiritualityandpractice. Retrieved January 18, 2021
- ↑ Malaika Ware. He changed our country… one yard at a time.”. Christiansanswer. Retrieved January 18, 2021
- ↑ Gabby911. The Express: The Ernie Davis Story. Teenink. June 6, 2011. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
- ↑ Gabby911. The Express: The Ernie Davis Story. Teenink. June 6, 2011. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
- ↑ Roger Ebert. It's all in the game. Rogerebert. October 08, 2008. Retrieved January 18, 2021
