The Express Blu-ray Edition
Based on the true story of the first African American to win the Heisman Trophy, The Express follows the short career of football great Ernie Davis.
Film making 20/25
Cinematography 22/25
Audio 20/25
Bonus Features 20/25
Total 82/100
Ernie Davis, played by Rob Brown, grew up in Uniontown, Pennsylvania during the 1940’s and later in Elmira New York when his mother returns after remarrying. Ernie was growing up with his Grandparents while his mother was trying to earn a living and returned when she got married to take Ernie with her.
Ernie was excited when he saw a Small Fry Football tryouts upon arriving in Elmira and became the best player on the team despite attacks about his race. Years later Coach Ben Schwartzwalder, played by Dennis Quad, is looking for a replacement for his star athlete Jim Brown who will be graduating soon.
After checking out several prospects that he rejects out of hand for laziness and injuries he finds Ernie Davis and uses his star athlete to help recruit Ernie. Ernie is a huge influence on his team and earns a place on the Varsity team right off the bat even though he cannot play in a game due to being a freshman.
He earns his place on the varsity team with tough play but the team takes time to accept him when the coach gives him the jersey of Jim Brown. The team does well when Ernie makes some great yardage and the team faces racism head on when Ernie refuses to be removed from play when the coach fears a riot from the fans at a West Virginia University game.
After the regular season finds the Syracuse University team undefeated they are able to play either the second or eighth ranked teams in a bowl game for New Years. The team led by Ernie elects to play the second best ranked team which pleases the coach as they would have to work hard and earn their title.
During the Cotton Bowl against the Texas Longhorns Ernie faces even more racism and punishment from the all white team players who work hard at hurting Ernie. Ernie is pushed to the extreme and is injured as well as faces bad officiating by the all white team and officials.
At half time coach Schwartzwalder pulls Ernie due to injuries but the team is further set back during the second half and the team gets even more depressed. Ernie refuses to sit in the locker room and returns to the game to lead the team on to their first National Championship.
Ernie earns the Most Valuable Player award for his inspiration to his team but the team refuses to attend the ceremony when it will be held at an all whites only country club. Ernie was an inspiration to his team and later on goes on to win the Heisman Trophy for his exceptional athleticism and team spirit.
During this time he also has a few incidences with his health that remain unexplained until after his graduation and being signed on with the Cleveland Browns. During practice for the Cleveland Browns he is informed by the team that he will be unable to play during the upcoming season because of his undiagnosed condition.
The team lets him suit up and take the field with them during a game against the Chicago Bears but Ernie has found out he has Leukemia and vows to fight the disease. Ernie Davis dies on May 18, 1963 without having played any games in the national football league.
The movie is very good showing the struggles of an individual in a nationally recognized sport that faces the brunt of racism. The team ends up supporting him and his fellow African Americans when they face the same derision toward them just being on the same team.
The movie includes plenty of shots from real footage of the games but most of the on field plays are done with the actors of the movie and doubles that are very well shot. The movie has plenty of sports action as well as a very good snapshot of the attitudes of the times showing how racism was overcome with good sportsmanship on the field.
Even though you know he is going to die young and before playing in a national league game it is a truly great story and one that is inspiring to watch. I was curious enough about Ernie Davis, the Heisman trophy and other aspects of the movie to research these even if I would not have had to for this review.
The Blu-ray edition of The Express contains the usual commentary and picture in picture additions to the film as well as a couple of making of features. The bonus content also includes an Anniversary feature of the 1959 Syracuse National Championship game.
The feature is told by eight members of the team that gave commentary and comments about the game in interviews including real footage and still shots from the game. The feature shooting the football games is a great making of about filming a football game using actors and doubles for a realistic yet choreographed scene.
The Legacy of Ernie Davis is a nice feature telling about the changes and effects Ernie Davis had on the country and sports due to his race and abilities. The film does a great job of telling the story of Ernie Davis and the extra content gives a real tie in to the real Ernie Davis and how they tried their best through the film to tell the whole story.
The Express is one of those stories about a real life person that did things he was proud of to change how our country and how people see others. This is the kind of film that you will remember and is well worth purchasing for the extra content on the Blu-ray edition.