This is the sort of film that had me wishing that I was still teaching history. If I did, I would be sure to show this film to all my American History classes. It's first-rate in quality and entertainment value, but it's also very, very profound and I think kids today could learn a lot from the example of the old New York Renaissance ('The Rens') basketball team.
The film is the story about what may have been one of the very best basketball teams of all-time--and certainly the best of their era. However, because basketball leagues were segregated, this talented group of players never got a chance to make the big money or get the recognition they deserved. Instead, they played their hearts out for the love of the game but most never received any serious accolades during their lifetime. But, they did have a chance to at least tell everyone that at one point in time, they were the world champions.
"On the Shoulders of Giants" is a very high quality film throughout. Not only does it have interviews with many of the all-time basketball greats (featuring Kareem Abdul Jabbar but also with Bill Russell, Jerry West and many others) and non-basketball celebrities (such as Cornell West and Spike Lee) but it does something really unique. In addition to the obligatory photos and film footage, the film makers were able to use computer graphics in exciting ways--to literally pull apart and manipulate photos to make them appear to come to life. It really has to be seen to be believed and appreciated. Overall, the film is super-inspiring, exciting and I can't recommend it enough.
The film is the story about what may have been one of the very best basketball teams of all-time--and certainly the best of their era. However, because basketball leagues were segregated, this talented group of players never got a chance to make the big money or get the recognition they deserved. Instead, they played their hearts out for the love of the game but most never received any serious accolades during their lifetime. But, they did have a chance to at least tell everyone that at one point in time, they were the world champions.
"On the Shoulders of Giants" is a very high quality film throughout. Not only does it have interviews with many of the all-time basketball greats (featuring Kareem Abdul Jabbar but also with Bill Russell, Jerry West and many others) and non-basketball celebrities (such as Cornell West and Spike Lee) but it does something really unique. In addition to the obligatory photos and film footage, the film makers were able to use computer graphics in exciting ways--to literally pull apart and manipulate photos to make them appear to come to life. It really has to be seen to be believed and appreciated. Overall, the film is super-inspiring, exciting and I can't recommend it enough.