STORY
Based on a true story, "The Express" follows the extraordinary life of college football hero Ernie Davis (Rob Brown), the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy. His fight for equality and respect forever changed the face of American sports, and his story continues to inspire new generations.
Raised in poverty in Pennsylvania coal-mining country, Davis hurdled social and economic obstacles to become one of the greatest running backs in college football history. Under the guidance of legendary Syracuse coach Ben Schwartzwalder (Dennis Quaid), he became a hero who superseded Jim Brown's achievements and set records that stand to this day.
Decorated veteran Schwartzwalder was a Southerner with a single vision of a national championship and hardened ideas about how the world worked. But though he and Davis clashed mightily, he taught the player everything he knew about football, just as Davis helped him learn the true meaning of victory.
As the growing civil rights movement divided the country in the '60s, Davis became a symbol for achievement that transcended race. Refusing to flinch from others' prejudices, he achieved all his goalsÑuntil he faced a challenge that would make most men crumble. He joined the ranks of black pioneers by teaching a generation tolerance, inspiring a movement that smashed barriers on and off the field.
Cast
Dennis Quaid, Clancy Brown, Justin Martin, Geoff Stults, Darrin Dewitt Henson, Charles S. Dutton, Rob Brown, Aunjanue Ellis, Saul Rubinek, Ridge Canipe, Frank Grillo, Enver Gjokaj, Chelcie Ross, Omar Benson Miller, Angelina Lyubomirova, Evan Jones, Enver Gjokaj, Christian Stolte
Director: Gary Fleder
Writers: Charles Leavitt
Producer: John Davis
Executive Producers: Derek Dauchy, Damien Saccani, Ezra Swerdlow
Art Direction: Seth Reed
Casting: Deborah Aquila, Jennifer L. Smith, Mary Tricia Wood
Costume Design: Abigail Murray
D.O.P.: Kramer Morgenthau
Editor: Padraic McKinley, William Steinkamp
Music: Mark Isham
Production Design: Nelson Coates
Set Decoration: Denise Pizzini
Trivia
The license plates used in the film feature the slogan "Beautiful Evergreen State", a combination of the license plate slogan of British Columbia ("Beautiful British Columbia", where the movie was filmed), and the state nickname of Washington State (The Evergreen State).
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Filming Locations: Chicago, USA; Syracuse, USA
MPAA Warning: Thematic content, violence and language involving racism, and for brief sensuality
Production Companies: Davis Entertainment, IDEA Filmproduktions, Relativity Media
Production Companies: March 2007 - May 2007
Web Sites: Official Site - The IMDb
