Click to read the article
We Are Marshall (2006)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted:124
Fresh:60
Rotten:64
Average Rating:5.8/10
Consensus: Matthew McConaughey almost runs We Are Marshall to the end zone, but can't stop it from taking the easy, feel-good route in memorializing this historic event in American sports.
Runtime: 2 hrs 11 mins
Genre: Dramas
Synopsis: In November 1970, a plane carrying almost the entire Marshall University football team, its staff and fans crashed, killing 75 people in all and devastating the small town of Huntington, West... In November 1970, a plane carrying almost the entire Marshall University football team, its staff and fans crashed, killing 75 people in all and devastating the small town of Huntington, West Virginia. WE ARE MARSHALL, directed by McG (THE O.C., FASTLANE) tells the tragic true story of how the university and the citizens of Huntington rebuilt the football program and dealt with the loss of so many of their own. The university's president, Donald Dedmon, earnestly portrayed by David Strathairn (GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK), hires the only willing coach to take on such a daunting task, Jack Lengyl (Matthew McConaughey). With the help of the lone Marshall football coach Red Dawson (Matthew Fox) and the three remaining players who weren't on the plane, Coach Lengyl sets out to restructure Marshall's team, and spirit. But for some in the community it's still too soon, including Paul Griffen (Ian McShane) who lost his football-star son. They fear that moving on so quickly is disrespectful to those who died and to the loved ones who still mourn. The film emphasizes this issue, illustrating the struggle of that harrowing time at Marshall, and in college football history. Although WE ARE MARSHALL contains a similar theme to other sports movies, rising from adversity, the tragedy of so many lives lost in a small community and the painful recovery sets this film apart. Strong performances by McConaughey (FAILURE TO LAUNCH)—his wit and energy adds much needed doses of comic relief, Fox (LOST), and McShane (DEADWOOD) successfully help bring the historical and inspiring story of Marshall University to the big screen, a must-see for all sports fans. [More]
Starring: Matthew McConaughey, David Strathairn, Matthew Fox, Huntley Ritter
Starring: Matthew McConaughey, David Strathairn, Matthew Fox, Huntley Ritter, Anthony Mackie, Kate Mara, Ian McShane, Robert Patrick, Kimberly Williams
Director: McG
Director: McG
Screenwriter: Jamie Linden
Producer: Basil Iwanyk
Composer: Christophe Beck
Studio: Warner Bros.
Reviews for We Are Marshall
McConaughey campily channels Jon Stewart channeling George W. Bush for his impersonation of Lengyel.
Full of good intentions, We Are Marshall has a game plan that's hard to fault, but as with any playbook, a scheme is only as good as how well it's executed.
This particular movie, obviously carefully and thoroughly researched, needed to articulate the experiences of the townspeople of Huntington more thoroughly than it does.
Bright spots can't get at the script's failure to make this into a story about something bigger than sports, in the way Invincible, Miracle and Go Tigers did.
The movie certainly has its heart in the right place, but that alone just isn't enough.
This was undeniably a horrific event for the victims' families friends, colleagues as well as for the entire community. But the movie seems to almost exploit this tragedy so it can make audiences weep, and ultimately, cheer.
You'd think with this set up that Annie's experience would be complex and sustained in We Are Marshall, but no. This is a men's story.
...would've benefited from the presence of virtually any other actor in the central role...
We Are Marshall is the most insidious kind of bad movie - the very well made kind.
McG is conducting a one-note symphony, losing the impact of the real story of Marshall University.
Even lesser hacks than McG would have trouble making Jamie Linden's screenplay float, but I never thought it was possible to blow every big inspirational moment. Maybe because they are all the same.
The story of how Marshall University and the residents of Huntington "rose from the ashes" is inspiring. But the film version isn't.
Latest News for We Are Marshall
December 20, 2007:
Box Office Guru Preview: Five New Films Fight For Holiday Cheer
Moviegoers are in for a feast as studios will unleash a wide menu of new options on Friday trying to reach holiday patrons on the weekend before Santa comes to town. With so... More...
September 18, 2007:
RT on DVD: It's Death Proof Time!
If you've been itching for a good rental, you're in luck -- even the gambles this week are near Fresh on the Tomatometer! Tarantino fans already know to look for his Death Proof... More...
September 13, 2007:
What makes this sports flick worth the emotional investment is that the bittersweet satisfaction it delivers emanates not from a clich?victory scene but from touching tableaus every step of the way along a painful healing process. ![]()
More...
June 29, 2007:
The Weekly Ketchup: "Spider-Man 4" Villain Talk, "Iron Man" Cast Photo, Disney Scraps Lame Video Sequels, And More!
In this week's Ketchup, Sam Raimi discusses possible options for a fourth "Spider-Man," the cast of "Iron Man" is looking rather sharp in the first cast... More...
More DVDs
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 36% 36% | Angels & Demons |
| 25% 25% | Four Christmases |
| 68% 68% | Funny People |
| 95% 95% | Star Trek |
| 14% 14% | The Ugly Truth |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 83% 83% | Harry Potter and the H… |
| 67% 67% | Public Enemies |
| 75% 75% | Julie & Julia |
| 95% 95% | The Cove |
| 85% 85% | World's Greatest Dad |
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
Sponsored Links
Around The Network
- We Are Marshall at Rotten Tomatoes
- We Are Marshall at IGN
- We Are Marshall at AskMen
Fresh Links
Featured

Subscribe to RT's YouTube channel and don't miss a second of our cracking video content.

Follow Rotten Tomatoes and join us as we tweet about the week's releases.



Top Critic

