“The Express” is the story of Ernie Davis who was the first African-American to win the coveted Heisman Trophy, the highest accolade in American Football. Davis was a naturally talented football player, who developed from a quiet young man to become an icon for the civil rights movement that divided America in the early 1960s. Raised in poverty in Pennsylvania coal-mining country, his talent was recognized by Coach Ben Schwartzwalder who would help him turn from a high school athlete to a sporting legend. Ernie Davis was the first African-American to win the coveted Heisman Trophy, the highest accolade in American Football.
Davis was a naturally talented football player, who developed from a quiet young man to become an icon for the civil rights movement that divided America in the early 1960s. Raised in poverty in Pennsylvania coal-mining country, his talent was recognized by Coach Ben Schwartzwalder who would help him turn from an high school athlete to a sporting legend. “The Express “is an honorable example of a tried-and-true lesson. This movie focuses on the relationship of Ernie Davis, a gifted African-American athlete, who arrives at Syracuse, where he falls under the support of Ben Schwartzwalder.
Schwartzwalder was the head coach of the Syracuse football team who brought Ernie to the football team and he worked him and also encouraged him to become a better player at that time. Schwartzwalder recruits Davis with the help of All-American running back, Jim Brown. The civil rights movement is gaining steam; Davis experiences prejudice on campus, in town, and on the field, sometimes from teammates. How he handles it and how he challenges Schwartzwalder to stand up for his players provide a counterpoint to several great seasons that lead first to a national championship and then to the Heismann Trophy.In other words, this movie is more a biography of Davis.
Ernie, who overcomes a childhood stutter, is raised by his mother and especially his grandfather, a Pennsylvania coal miner. His grandfather used to help him in everything for him to become a successful man just like what he wanted since he was little boy. After an outbreak of expository scenes that supply a basic first attempt of the young man’s background and personality. Ernie Davis grew up in a poor neighborhood in Elmira, New York in the '40s and '50s, and it was there he found a home away from home on the local youth league football fields.As a child, Ernie could run like the wind. And as he developed as a football player, Ernie's speed and ability to outmaneuver defenses made him standout from the pack so much so that he caught the attention of Syracuse University coach Ben Schwartzwalder Coach Schwartzwalder offered Ernie a scholarship to play, but it was NFL standout Jim Brown who convinced Ernie Syracuse was the perfect college for running backs.
The football action in The Express is intense. The hits look brutal and the actors, to a man, do an excellent job of embracing the playing style of 1960s football.And the scenes off the field are equally as dynamic. Ernie Davis played college football – though not as a running back – and he not only looks every bit the part, but also delivers a multi-layered performance that honors Davis' memory.
Davis was able to accomplish what he did with dignity and style, and his story is one all young athletes can learn from. It seems strange it's taken so long for Ernie Davis' tale to hit the big screen. This is such a compelling story; it's amazing it took four decades to reach theaters. But the wait was worthwhile as “The Express” is a first-class film that should win over audiences.Throughout world history, one race has often viewed itself as greater and superior to another. The sense of superiority among others created the concept of segregation; the legal or social practice of separating people based upon their race or ethnicity.
Although segregation was often perceived to occur in the South, the unjust concept was found in every section of the United States at one time or another. Segregation was a major obstruction to unity throughout the country during the 1950's and 1960's. Even so, the separation of races led to the meaningful of Civil Right's movement.At the time, Ernie was really a good football player.
He becomes more and more professional player, and he is getting famous all over the country. Ernie became the first famous African-American football player after Jim brown who was the number one player in all football campus during that time. In fact, Ernie started to face trouble during his life being segregated by the people who hated him because he was an African-American player. For example, the coach was scared to let Ernie play or score against Texas because it was one of the most segregated states in the south at that time.
Instead of that,Ernie strong personality helped him to stand up in front of all the people who were threatened him before playing the game. “Am I invisible” said Ernie to his coach. This was one of the most effective quote that grape my attention because of the sense of humor that Ernie faced and the way he handle it. In the conclusion, “The Express” was really a good movie. A drama based on the life of college football hero Ernie Davis. His number is retired by the Cleveland Browns, and he’s a member of the College Football Hall Of Fame.
Now, he’s the recipient of his very own aggressively passable biopic.A few people would do the same thing as well as Davis, because he had a tough time during his life facing lots of trouble which segregation was the main one of these troubles that faced him during that time. Davis leads the team to an undefeated season and a win over the #2 ranked Texas Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl. Despite facing racism at nearly every point in his life, he eventually becomes the first African American to win the Heisman Trophy and goes on to play for the Cleveland Browns. His career is cut short, before he ever plays one game for the NFL, when he develops leukemia in 1962.
