The Phoenix of Huntington
An academic exploration of the film 'We Are Marshall' and the true story of resilience, tragedy, and triumph that inspired it.
Film Overview 👇 The True Story 📜Dive in with Flashcard Learning!
🎮 Play the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge Game🎮
Film Overview
A Biographical Sports Drama
Released in 2006, We Are Marshall is an American biographical sports drama film directed by McG. The narrative meticulously reconstructs the profound aftermath of the devastating 1970 plane crash that claimed the lives of 75 individuals, including a significant portion of the Marshall University Thundering Herd football team, its coaching staff, and dedicated boosters. The film serves as a cinematic testament to the community's struggle for healing and the arduous journey of rebuilding a football program from the ashes of tragedy.[1]
Key Cast and Crew
The film features a notable ensemble cast, bringing to life the real individuals who navigated this period of immense grief and determination. Matthew McConaughey portrays the pivotal figure of head coach Jack Lengyel, tasked with the monumental challenge of resurrecting the team. Matthew Fox co-stars as assistant coach William "Red" Dawson, one of the few surviving members of the previous coaching staff. David Strathairn embodies university president Donald Dedmon, while Anthony Mackie plays Nate Ruffin, a surviving player whose advocacy was crucial to the program's continuation.[1]
Creative Vision
The screenplay, penned by Jamie Linden, with a story credit also to Cory Helms, meticulously crafts a narrative arc that balances the profound sorrow with an inspiring message of resilience. The film's emotional depth is further enhanced by the musical score composed by Christophe Beck, which underscores the gravity and eventual triumph of the story. Produced by Basil Iwanyk and McG, the film was distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, reaching audiences nationwide on December 22, 2006.[1]
The 1970 Tragedy
Southern Airways Flight 932
On the evening of November 14, 1970, Southern Airways Flight 932, a McDonnell Douglas DC-9, was chartered to transport the Marshall University Thundering Herd football team back to Huntington, West Virginia. Following a 17–14 defeat to the East Carolina University Pirates, the aircraft tragically clipped trees on a ridge approximately one mile short of the runway at Tri-State Airport in Ceredo, West Virginia. The subsequent crash into a nearby gully resulted in the immediate deaths of all 75 individuals on board.[1]
A Community Devastated
The victims included 37 players from the football team, head coach Rick Tolley and five members of his coaching staff, athletic director Charles E. Kautz, team athletic trainer Jim Schroer and his assistant Donald Tackett, and sports information director Gene Morehouse. Additionally, 25 dedicated boosters and the five-person airplane crew perished in the disaster. This catastrophic event left an indelible mark on Marshall University and the entire community of Huntington, West Virginia, creating a void that extended far beyond the realm of collegiate athletics.[1]
Rebuilding the Herd
A Plea for Continuation
In the immediate aftermath, University President Donald Dedmon contemplated the indefinite suspension of the football program, a decision that reflected the profound grief and logistical challenges. However, he was ultimately swayed by the impassioned pleas of Marshall students and Huntington residents, particularly those of the few football players who, by chance, had not been on the ill-fated flight, led by Nate Ruffin. Their collective desire to honor the fallen and preserve the spirit of the Thundering Herd proved instrumental in the decision to rebuild.[1]
New Leadership and Team Formation
To spearhead this daunting task, Dedmon hired Jack Lengyel as the new head coach. Lengyel, with the crucial assistance of Red Dawson, one of only two surviving members of the previous coaching staff, embarked on the challenging journey of assembling a new team in a remarkably short timeframe. Despite losing many prospective players to rival institutions like West Virginia University, the "Young Thundering Herd" was formed. This new roster comprised the 18 returning players (three varsity, fifteen sophomores), incoming freshmen, and walk-on athletes from other Marshall sports programs, demonstrating an extraordinary commitment to the university's athletic legacy.[1]
Early Struggles and Triumphs
A significant hurdle was the NCAA rule prohibiting freshmen from playing varsity football, a regulation that had been abolished for most sports in 1968 but remained for football and basketball until 1972. President Dedmon's successful appeal to the NCAA in Kansas City to waive this rule was a critical turning point, allowing the new, inexperienced team to compete. Their inaugural game resulted in a 29–6 loss to the Morehead State Eagles. However, the team achieved its first post-crash victory with a 15–13 win against Xavier University in their first home game of the season, a moment of profound emotional significance for the team and the community.[1]
Filming & Release
Locations and Schedule
Principal photography for We Are Marshall commenced on April 3, 2006. Filming primarily took place in Huntington, West Virginia, allowing for an authentic portrayal of the community central to the story. Additional scenes were shot in Atlanta, Georgia, contributing to the film's overall production scope. The production schedule was efficiently managed, with filming concluding in due course to prepare for its theatrical release.[1]
Premiere and Distribution
The film's premiere was a significant event, held at the historic Keith-Albee Theatre in Huntington, West Virginia, on December 12, 2006, allowing the local community to be among the first to witness their story on the big screen. Special screenings were also arranged at Pullman Square. Following these local events, We Are Marshall was released nationwide on December 22, 2006, by Warner Bros. Pictures, making the powerful narrative accessible to a broader audience across the United States.[1]
Home Media Availability
For those who wished to revisit the inspiring story or experience it for the first time outside of theaters, We Are Marshall was made available on various home media formats. It was released on DVD, HD DVD, and Blu-ray in the United States on September 18, 2007, through Warner Home Video. This widespread availability ensured the film's continued reach and its ability to resonate with viewers long after its initial theatrical run.[1]
Historical Accuracy
Dedmon's Role Clarified
While the film portrays Donald Dedmon as the university president making key decisions, historical records indicate he was the acting president of Marshall University at the time of the accident. His direct involvement in hiring Jack Lengyel is not extensively documented. John G. Barker assumed the role of the school's president in early 1971, commencing his duties on March 1, 1971. Therefore, the film's depiction of Dedmon being "fired" due to Marshall's return to football is inaccurate. Dedmon returned to his position as Vice President of Academic Affairs just three months after the crash, a role he held throughout the 1971 football season, before being appointed president of Radford College in early 1972.[4][5]
Coaching Candidates
The process of finding a new head coach for Marshall University was complex, with several candidates considered before Lengyel's appointment. Penn State assistant coach Bob Phillips, a close acquaintance of athletic director Joe McMullen, withdrew his name from consideration after visiting Marshall. Furthermore, Dick Bestwick, then the freshman coach at Georgia Tech, was initially hired as Marshall's coach on February 24, 1971, but ultimately declined the position two days later. These details highlight the challenges and uncertainties faced by the university in its efforts to rebuild the football program.[6][7]
Critical Reception
Mixed Reviews
We Are Marshall garnered a mixed reception from film critics upon its release. Review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes reported that 48% of 126 professional critics provided a positive review, resulting in an average rating of 5.8/10. The site's consensus noted that while Matthew McConaughey's performance was strong, the film tended to "tak[e] the easy, feel-good route in memorializing this historic event." Similarly, Metacritic assigned the film a score of 53% based on reviews from 31 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews."[10][11]
Directorial Style
A common point of criticism among reviewers was the film's direction by McG. Peter Hartlaub of the San Francisco Chronicle attributed "half of the movie problems" to the director, describing his style as "kinetic and kitschy" and suggesting it was "completely out of place" for the film's serious subject matter.[12] Peter Howell from the Toronto Star echoed similar sentiments, stating that the film lacked genuine drama or conflict, implying that the directorial approach may have undermined the inherent emotional power of the true story.[13]
McConaughey's Performance
Despite the mixed critical response to the film as a whole, Matthew McConaughey's portrayal of Coach Jack Lengyel was frequently highlighted as a standout element. Roger Moore of the Orlando Sentinel awarded the film 4 out of 5 stars, specifically commending McConaughey's performance. Moore noted that the film effectively kept emotions close to the surface, allowing McConaughey to deliver a performance that was "the most refreshing, funny and believable he ever has been," suggesting his acting elevated the narrative despite other perceived shortcomings.[14]
Enduring Legacy
Marshall's Football Trajectory
The film's closing credits provide a poignant summary of the Marshall University football program's journey beyond that initial rebuilding season. Through a voiceover by Annie, the narrator, audiences learn about the subsequent highs and lows experienced by the program. This narrative is powerfully augmented by actual game footage, including a memorable moment featuring offensive linemen carrying an injured Byron Leftwich back to the huddle after each play, symbolizing the team's enduring spirit and determination. The film concludes by illustrating Marshall's remarkable ascent to becoming an NCAA Division I-AA (now FCS) powerhouse in the 1980s and 1990s, followed by its successful transition to Division I-A (now FBS), cementing its place in collegiate football history.[1]
A Tribute to the Fallen
As the final credits roll, the film offers a deeply moving tribute to those lost in the 1970 crash. Actual footage from the 1970 season is shown, featuring the players who perished, alongside news footage from the crash itself. This serves as a powerful reminder of the human cost of the tragedy and the profound impact it had. A particularly touching element is the display of each actor standing alongside the real-life person they portrayed in the film, bridging the gap between cinematic representation and historical reality, and honoring the memory of the individuals whose lives were forever intertwined with this event.[1]
Legal Challenges
The "Ashes to Glory" Lawsuit
The production of We Are Marshall was not without its legal complexities. Deborah Novak and John Witek, the producers of the 2000 documentary Marshall University: Ashes to Glory, initiated a $100 million lawsuit in federal court in California. Their suit accused Warner Bros. and other entities associated with We Are Marshall of fraud, copyright infringement, and breach of contract. Novak, a Huntington native and Marshall alumna, had directed the earlier documentary, suggesting a proprietary claim over the narrative and historical material.[8]
Warner Bros. Prevails
The legal dispute ultimately concluded in favor of Warner Bros. In October 2008, a federal judge dismissed the lawsuit through a summary judgment. This ruling indicated that the court found no genuine issue of material fact and that Warner Bros. was entitled to judgment as a matter of law, effectively clearing the film of the allegations of fraud, copyright infringement, and breach of contract. The dismissal allowed the film's legacy to remain untarnished by these legal challenges.[9]
Teacher's Corner
Edit and Print this course in the Wiki2Web Teacher Studio
Click here to open the "We Are Marshall" Wiki2Web Studio curriculum kit
Use the free Wiki2web Studio to generate printable flashcards, worksheets, exams, and export your materials as a web page or an interactive game.
True or False?
Test Your Knowledge!
Gamer's Corner
Are you ready for the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge?
Unlock the mystery image and prove your knowledge by earning trophies. This simple game is addictively fun and is a great way to learn!
Play now
References
References
Feedback & Support
To report an issue with this page, or to find out ways to support the mission, please click here.
Disclaimer
Important Notice
This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.
This is not professional advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional historical research, film analysis, or legal consultation. Always refer to primary historical sources, reputable academic analyses, and consult with qualified professionals for specific research or legal needs. Never disregard professional advice because of something you have read on this website.
The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.