Questions
When did Hoosiers come out and who released it?
Hoosiers was released on November 14, 1986 by Orion Pictures.
Who directed and wrote Hoosiers?
It was directed by David Anspaugh, in his feature directorial debut, and written by Angelo Pizzo.
Who stars in the movie?
Gene Hackman plays Coach Norman Dale, Barbara Hershey plays Myra Fleener, Dennis Hopper plays Wilbur "Shooter" Flatch, and Maris Valainis plays Jimmy Chitwood.
Is Hoosiers based on a true story?
Yes, it was inspired by Milan High School’s 1954 Indiana state championship, in which a small, undersized team pulled off an upset title run.
How close is the movie to the real Milan story?
Both the film team and the real Milan team won by 2 points (42 to 40 in the movie versus 32 to 30 in real life), had undersized rosters, and reportedly hit the winning shot from nearly identical floor positions.
Where was the big championship game filmed?
The final game was shot at Butler University’s Hinkle Fieldhouse, which was the actual venue of Milan’s 1954 championship.
Is the Hickory home gym a real place you can visit?
Yes, the home gym scenes were filmed in Knightstown, Indiana, at what is now known as the "Hoosier Gym."
Where else in Indiana was the film shot?
The town scenes were filmed in New Richmond, Indiana, and the classroom scenes were shot at a schoolhouse in Nineveh, Indiana.
Did Hoosiers get any Oscar nominations?
It earned two Academy Award nominations, Best Supporting Actor for Dennis Hopper and Best Original Score for Jerry Goldsmith.
Who wrote the film’s score?
The score was composed by Jerry Goldsmith, and it earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Original Score.
Did Gene Hackman think the movie would be a hit?
Reportedly not. Hackman predicted the film would be a "career killer."
How did filmmakers fill the stands for the game scenes?
They reportedly invited local high schools, including Broad Ripple and Chatard, to play actual games at the fieldhouse so the crowd shots would look real.
Did any of the young actors get in trouble for being in the film?
Reportedly, five actors who played basketball players faced a three-game NCAA suspension because they had been paid for their roles.
How did Hoosiers do at the box office?
Made on a budget of about $6 million, it grossed roughly $28.6 million.
Is Hoosiers considered a classic today?
Yes. It was selected for the National Film Registry in 2001, ranked number 13 on AFI’s 100 Years...100 Cheers, and named the number 4 sports film on AFI’s 10 Top 10.
Was Hoosiers ever released under a different title?
Yes, in some countries it was released as "Best Shot."
