Inspired by the too-ludicrous-to-be-believed National Football League strike of 1987, Howard Deutch's THE REPLACEMENTS follows a team of scab players as they fill in for the real pros. Jimmy McGinty (Gene Hackman), a compassionate and dedicated coach, is rehired by the owner of the Washington Sentinels to pull together a new crew in order to finish off the season and keep the stadium filled. This includes a safety who is on work release, a lightning-quick wide receiver with bricks for hands, a deranged linebacker-SWAT team member, a chain-smoking Welsh kicker, and Shane Falco (Keanu Reeves), a former college quarterback who lost his chance at the big time after a disastrous Sugar Bowl appearance. The newly formed squad must learn to set aside its differences if it is to win three out of four games and make it to the playoffs. Along the way, Falco finds himself harassed by the Sentinels' star quarterback, Eddie Martel, as well as falling in love with the team's head cheerleader, Annabelle (Brooke Langton). A final showdown against the strike-breaking reigning champions gives McGinty and Falco one last chance at redemption. Deutch's lighthearted comedy is greatly aided by Hackman and Reeves's surprisingly sincere performances.
Theatrical release: August 11, 2000.
Shot on location in Baltimore, MD; Richmond, VA; and Landover, MD.
The stadium crowd scenes were actually shot at the new Baltimore Ravens' PSI Net stadium rather than in Washington.
Excerpt: "Pain heals. Chicks dig scars. Glory lasts forever."--Shane Falco (Keanu Reeves) to his teammates in the huddle
DVD Features:
Region 1
Snap Case
Widescreen - 1.85
Single Side - Single Layer
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
Dolby Digital 5.1 - French
Additional Release Material:
Audio Commentary - 1. Howard Deutch - Director
Featurette - 1. HBO FIRST LOOK: THE MAKING OF THE REPLACEMENTS
2. MAKING THE PLAYS: AN ACTOR'S GUIDE TO FOOTBALL
Text/Photo Galleries:
Cast/Filmmaker Biographies and Career Highlights
Distributor Notes: Inspired by the true story of the 1987 NFL strike, this comedy tells the story of an over-the-hill coach and a washed-up former quarterback who lead a team of strike-bearing "replacement killers" to a short but glorious season of victories in professional football.
Source: Warner Home Video
Director of Photography
Tak Fujimoto:
Executive Producer
Erwin Stoff:
Executive Producer
Jeffrey Chernov: producer, THE REPLACEMENTS
Executive Producer
Steven Reuther:
Production Designer
Dan Bishop:
Costume Designer
Jill M. Ohanneson:
Review 1:
"...[Hackman and Reeves] both give smooth performances and the supporting cast is superb....Good, unpretentious fun..."
Source: Movieline's Hollywood Life
p.34 09/01/2000
Review 2:
"...It's a kick to watch Keanu acting silly....And score one for the Sentinel cheerleaders....You've never seen a halftime like this..."
Source: Rolling Stone
p.81-2 08/31/2000
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