MIRACLE (2004), 136 minutes, Disney DVD
Ice-hockey legend Wayne Gretsky said: ‘I miss 100 percent of the shots I don’t take.’ Isn’t that akin to life? It is about opportunities and missed opportunities; takes and missed-takes.
Miracle is the real story behind the triumph of the American ice-hockey team in the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York. Coach Herb Brooks was tasked to lead 20 (out of 26) of the best, but young hockey players into the games. Through the leadership of Coach Brooks, they not only beat the then-reigning champions from the Soviet Union, they also won Olympic gold and raised hope in a downcast time for global politics.
The turning point of the film was when one young player said: ‘My name is…and I play for the USA!’ Only when the team accepted and identified itself as one, did they then progressed to the next level of their development. Teamwork, trust in each other, total focus on their purpose, and belief in themselves were some of the team’s success factors. You will appreciate how winning is infectious and builds on collective potential. There are adequate competition scenes to keep you breathless and hopeful. You need not be an ice-hockey fan, or understand the sport to enjoy this film.
This DVD set contains two discs, one of which contains the accompanying interviews with Kurt Russell, Herb Brooks and the filmmakers. Interestingly, there is a segment on how actual hockey players were turned into actors. Ironically, the determined and hopeful Brooks passed away just after principal filming began; he never saw this film.
Like Don Quixote, this team dreamt the impossible dream and achieved it. In this story, a miracle is about creating an opportunity and taking on the unexpected.
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