About Remember the Titans

'Remember the Titans' is a well-loved American sports film, which hit the screens in the year 2000. The movie, directed by Boaz Yakin, revolves around the true story of Coach Herman Boone's attempt to integrate the T. C. Williams High School football team in Alexandria, Virginia, in 1971. With a prevailing racial tension, the story unfolds with Coach Boone, portrayed by Denzel Washington, leading the racially diverse team to the state championship.

Making / Production

The movie was produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and directed by Boaz Yakin. Shot in Georgia, the filmmakers took considerable creative liberties for cinematic purposes, although it maintains the essence of the real-life story. The film's screenplay was written by Gregory Allen Howard.

Actors

• Denzel Washington as Coach Herman Boone - Washington brilliantly portrays a relentless and determined coach who leads his team beyond racial prejudices to victory.
• Will Patton as Coach Bill Yoast - Patton plays the assistant coach who puts aside his initial resentment to support Boone's mission.
• Hayden Panettiere as Sheryl Yoast - Panettiere gives a spirited performance as the football-loving daughter of Coach Yoast.
• Wood Harris as Julius Campbell - Harris excels in his role as the defiant, then accepting team leader who helps unify the team.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• Though the movie depicts the titans' season as being contentious, they actually won the season by a landslide in real life.
• The film's release marked the 30th anniversary of the real events it's inspired by.
• The restaurant featured in the movie did not allow blacks to patronize until the mid-1970s, three years after T.C. Williams won the state championship.

Awards

The film won many accolades for its depiction of a racially charged high school-football season. Denzel Washington's performance earned him a Black Reel Award for Best Actor. The film also won the Best Original Soundtrack award at the ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards.

Quotes

• "Attitude reflects leadership, captain."
• "This is where they fought the battle of Gettysburg. Fifty thousand men died right here on this field ... Now we're all gonna die and it's gonna be for nothing."
• "Left side! Strong Side!"

Music, Soundtrack

• "Titan Spirit" - theme by Trevor Rabin
• "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" - by Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
• "Spirit In The Sky" - by Norman Greenbaum
• "Peace Train" - by Cat Stevens
• "Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye" - by Steam