Remember the Titans is a 2000 American biographical sports film produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and directed by Boaz Yakin. The screenplay, written by Gregory Allen Howard, is based on the true story of coach Herman Boone, portrayed by Denzel Washington, and his attempt to integrate the T. C. Williams High School football team in Alexandria, Virginia, in 1971. Will Patton portrays Bill Yoast, Boone's assistant coach.
The film reflects the divisive nature of the times, with the racial tensions of the town shown to highlight the backdrop in which the Titans must learn to get along and play together as a team. The movie includes racist comments and situations and some locker-room insults.
Ultimately, Remember the Titans is a deeply moving film about the courage of individuals and the power of sports to transcend perceived and ingrained differences. The film has received positive reviews and is considered an inspirational crowd-pleaser with a healthy dose of social commentary.
Plot
The story follows the newly appointed African-American coach, Herman Boone, and his assistant coach, Bill Yoast, as they lead the team to achieve racial harmony and success. The Titans go through the season undefeated while battling racial prejudice, before slowly gaining support from the community.
The team ultimately advances to the state championship, but Yoast realizes that the game has been rigged and warns the head official that he will go to the press and expose the scandal unless the game is officiated fairly.
The Titans nonetheless win the game, but Yoast is told by the chairman that his actions have resulted in his loss of candidacy for Hall of Fame induction.
Settings
Remember the Titans is set in Alexandria, Virginia, in the early 1970s, during a time of racial tension and division. The story takes place after two schools integrate to form T.C. Williams High School, and the newly appointed African-American coach, Herman Boone, is tasked with leading the football team.
The team is made up of players from different races, and the movie portrays the challenges they face as they learn to work together and overcome their differences. The team goes through a two-week training camp in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where many of the tensions are eased.
When the players return to Alexandria, they find the city in turmoil due to the forced desegregation of the high school. The Titans go through the season undefeated while battling racial prejudice, before slowly gaining support from the community.
The movie reflects the divisive nature of the times, with the racial tensions of the town shown to highlight the backdrop in which the Titans must learn to get along and play together as a team.
Challenges Faced
According to an interview with director Boaz Yakin, making "Remember the Titans" was a challenging experience. Yakin was initially reluctant to take on the project, as he had to make a movie about racism in the 1970s without using the N-word or going too far with the violence or challenging aspects of the time.
He had to find a way to make a movie for kids, as "Titans" is ultimately a kids' movie, but one that parents wouldn't feel talked down to when they were watching it. Yakin also had to work with producer Jerry Bruckheimer, who was very hands-on and had a specific vision for what a movie should be.
Despite these challenges, the movie was a success and has become a beloved classic. The film presents a tidy, PG-rated portrait of racial reconciliation, which has been criticized for sacrificing historical accuracy to portray its message.
Nonetheless, Remember the Titans has been praised for its ability to clarify the shifts in attitudes and the various personal decisions that were an important part of the integration of black and white students in Virginia.
Visual Styles & Techniques
Remember the Titans uses various film techniques to convey its message and create an emotional response in the audience. These techniques include panning, tracking, tilting, zooming, montage, transition, simultaneous time, slow motion, music, sound effects, shot sizes, camera angles, and dialogue.
For example, the film uses high-angle shots to show the Titans as a tight, cohesive team, and the empty space in the gym reinforces the idea that they have come together again and are willing to work and compete as a team.
The Titans theme music, complete with military drums, accompanies the team as they walk up the hill to Gary's grave site, creating a sense of unity and strength. The film also uses dialogue to evoke emotions, such as when Coach Boone's speech to the team inspires them to work together and overcome their differences.
Full Cast
- Denzel Washington as Herman Boone
- Will Patton as Bill Yoast
- Wood Harris as Julius Campbell
- Ryan Hurst as Gerry Bertier
- Donald Faison as Petey Jones
- Craig Kirkwood as Jerry "Rev" Harris
- Ethan Suplee as Louie Lastik
- Kip Pardue as Ronnie "Sunshine" Bass
- Hayden Panettiere as Sheryl Yoast
- Nicole Ari Parker as Carol Boone
- Kate Bosworth as Emma Hoyt
- Earl Poitier as Blue Stanton
- Ryan Gosling as Alan Bosley
- Burgess Jenkins as Ray Budds
- Neal Ghant as Frankie Glascoe
- David Jefferson as Cook
- Brett Rice as Coach Bill Yoast's son-in-law
- Richard Fullerton as Coach Ed Henry
- Afemo Omilami as Charles Campbell
- Will Gill Jr. as Coach Paul "Doc" Hines
- Gregalan Williams as Coach Herb Tyrell
- Patrick Breen as A.D. Watson
- Rhoda Griffis as Mrs. Bertier
- Gerry Black as Colonel William G. Bass
- John Wesley as Reverend
- Whitney Durand as Emma's friend
- L. Warren Young as Black newspaper man
- J. Don Ferguson as Heckler
- Tim Ware as Special teams coach
- Lou Walker as Opposition quarterback
- Jerry Gardner as Fan
Director: Boaz Yakin
Writer: Gregory Allen Howard
Box Office Gross: $136,771,683
Distributor: Buena Vista Pictures
Genre: Drama
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 29, 2000
Release Date (Streaming): May 27, 2016