Miracle (film)
- Kurt Russell: Herb Brooks
- Eddie Cahill: James Downey "Jim" Craig
- Noah Emmerich: Craig Patrick
- Patricia Clarkson: Patty Brooks
- Patrick O'Brien Demsey: "Mike" Eruzione
- Nathan West: "Bob" McClanahan
- Michael Mantenuto: Jack O'Callahan
- Billy Schneider: " Buzz " Schneider
- Joseph Cure: "Mike" Ramsey
- Eric Peter- Kaiser: Mark Johnson
- Kenneth Mitchell: Ralph Cox
- Bobby Hanson: David Mark Silk
- Chris Cook: Mark Pavelich
- Robbie MacGregor: Eric Martin Strobel
- Kris Wilson: Philip John Verchota
- Sam Skoryna: Steve Janaszak
Miracle - The Miracle of Lake Placid is an American film from 2004, which was filmed and directed by Gavin O'Connor. The film is about the so-called " Miracle on Ice" at the Olympic Winter Games 1980 in Lake Placid, when the USA Hockey team before a home crowd unexpectedly won a gold medal, which was made possible by a sensational victory against the hockey team of the USSR.
Action
At weddings, the (not only) economic crisis in the United States in the late 1970s, it is decided that the United States will boycott the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow. In Colorado Springs meet at this time the Hockey officials of the United States Olympic Committee, to name a squad for the Olympic Winter Games in Lake Placid, in which only amateurs may participate. As a candidate for the coaching job applies Herb Brooks, a former ice hockey player who has been removed 20 years earlier from the later victorious squad shortly before the Games begin, the job in spite of his arrogant nature gets - but only because other candidates have rejected.
In June 1979, a selection procedure is carried out in order to compile the team. Herb Brooks names already on the first day 26 players, although he has a week's time for the trial. Although the Board would like to have this other players what Herb Brooks vehemently denies.
At the beginning of the training then it will become clear quickly that Brooks is all about team spirit and rapidity with which he intends to play a good role in Olympia. This leads partly to a lack of understanding within the team. His enthusiasm is also not conducive for the marriage of Herb Brooks, because his wife Patti feels neglected by his commitment. Herb Brooks reduced his squad gradually from 26 to 20 players he may nominate in the end for the Olympic tournament.
After a penalty, following a training match in Norway understand the players that they represent their country, what Brooks takes good note. As a result, Brooks reacts relieved when the decision is announced that the Soviet national ice hockey team will participate in the Winter Games.
The preliminary round matches designed the Americans in their favor. Up to a 2-2 start against Sweden they won all the games ( 7-3 against Czechoslovakia, 5-1 win over Norway, 7:2 and 4:2 against Romania against the Federal Republic of Germany ). Due to the slightly worse goal difference compared to Sweden, the team moved as a table runner in the final round of four teams in which you took the preliminary round result. Thus, the Americans started with a 2:2 in these last games.
On February 22, 1980, there came to the encounter with the Soviet national team, which the team was able to win 4-3. The final game against Finland was won 4-2, so that the United States in the final round of the first table place went to what was tantamount to winning the Olympic Hockey Tournament.
Criticism
" The little staged inspired and told sports film develops the storylines only rudimentary and white little interest in situations and characters build. The central figure of the coach remains pale and without persuasion. "
" Despite strong hockey scenes staged director Gavin O'Gonnor the true story of the U.S. team in 1980 as a dripping, pathetic sports movie. That is indeed played by Kurt Russell in the lead role and genuine professional ice hockey excellent, but was put into a lot of details just too long-winded and not very convincingly. Particularly disturbing: the Russians are all depicted as bad guys here. "