“We Are Marshall” is a popular sports drama movie starring Matthew McConaughey and Matthew Fox. The movie is directed by Joseph McGinty Nichol, aka McG, the director of Charlie’s Angels. The movie is set back in the 70s and follows the journey of a team that is brought together by the tragic incident that happened in the University and the town of Huntington situated in West Virginia.
The movie is a sports drama based on the true life events that happened in the aftermath of the tragic plane crash of the 1970s. It is said that this tragic accident was one of the most worst and deadliest air disasters in the history of American sports history. This crash claimed the life of 75 people; the Marshall University’s entire football team, including it’s coaching staff.
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We Are Marshall is based on a true story:
November 14, 1970, was the day when the chartered Southern Airways Flight 932 crashed two miles ahead of the Tri-State Airport in Kenova, which is in West Virginia. There was a total of 75 people on the flight, including five crew members, and the remaining were native to Huntington.
37 football players of the Marshall University’s athletic team called the Thundering Herd, including the team’s coach, 25 team boosters, the University’s athletic director, the team’s doctors, and a few townies. All of them perished in the deadly accident.
The team was on their way home from Kinston, North Carolina, after losing a 17-14 match against the East Carolina University. The plane was scheduled for almost an hour’s journey. However, in the unfortunate turn of events, it hit a tree on the first hill in Huntington, which changed its direction abruptly into the forest floor. The impact caused an explosion where the right wing of the plane was shattered completely, and the engine was damaged entirely.
There was a memorial service held for the victims the following day on November 15, at the city’s Veterans Memorial Field House. It is said that 6 victims could not even be identified as the severity of their injuries made them unrecognizable. The university canceled the classes, and the town closed all offices, business works, and programs for a week.
According to a nurse at the time of the incident, around 400 students and citizens gathered at midnight on 15th November, to pray for the victims and cope with their losses. Before the crash, the team had not won for 27 matches. At this, the supporters raised money for scholarships. The incident thus broke many who were close to the team. Even though some of them were lucky who did not to board the flight, they faced survivor’s guilt.
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The aftermath of the crash and the realistic depiction in the movie:
Talking about the aftermath, Jack Lengyel, who was the head coach at the College of Wooster, joined the Thundering Herd program months after the accident. The movie follows the aftermath of the tragic crash. As the movie depicts, coach Lengyel took his assistant and the coaching staff to Morgantown to see the Houston Veer offense.
On November 12, 1972, a Memorial Fountain was dedicated by President John G. Barker, which is shown in the movie. Other locations used in the movie are also very credible. This includes the steel mill by the river, which overlooks the school. The motivating speech about the ‘funeral ending today was also filmed in the Marshall Memorial.
In addition to the powerful scenes and the amazing direction, the production also honored those with the winning team against the Xavier’s in 1971 by organizing a reunion. Many of the original players, including the Marshall quarterback, Reggie Oliver, and linebacker Rick Meckstroth were delighted to see the familiar faces and relive their memories together. The head coach, real Jack Lengyel also, was present at the reunion as well. He said that he felt the production was incredibly amazing, and he particularly praised the realistic recreation of the stadium. The movie was a hit as it was real to the core.
The premiere of the movie was held in Huntington’s Keith-Albee theatre, and over ten thousand local citizens attended the show. The movie was very well received by people who mourned the victims and celebrated the players of the 1971 team.
