“Do you believe in miracles?” ~ Al Michaels, sportscaster
Based on a remarkable true story, the 2004 film Miracle is a captivating tale of everyday individuals coming together to overcome extraordinary challenges.
In a performance that truly shines, Kurt Russell portrays the late Herb Brooks, the player-turned-coach of the U.S. men’s hockey team at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid. The U.S. team secured the gold medal, overcoming the formidable Soviet and Finnish teams.
Ever since being cut from the 1960 U.S. Olympic team, Brooks had aspired to coach the U.S. Olympic team, a dream that materialized in 1979 when he was appointed as head coach. He assembled a squad of college players and focused on their physical conditioning, adopting a European style of play to compete against the Soviet team, then recognized as the world’s premier hockey team. Prior to the 1980 Olympics, the Soviet Union had won four consecutive gold medals and had recently triumphed over a team of National Hockey League (NHL) all-stars, thus posing a significant challenge.
At the outset of his time as coach, Brooks emphasized that the all-stars were merely a collection of individual talents rather than a cohesive unit. Through rigorous training, he transformed his young athletes into a united U.S. Olympic team, culminating in a remarkable semifinal victory over the Soviet team. During the final 10 minutes of the match, the U.S. players prevented any goals.
Set in a highly charged political environment, this inspirational and touching film underscores the power of perseverance, camaraderie, and collaboration in achieving remarkable feats.
The movie can be watched on various platforms.
Watch the trailer:
Related:
Miracle on Ice (Wikipedia)
The story behind Al Michaels’ iconic “Miracle on Ice” call 40 years later (New York Post)
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