He was an outstanding young man of great character who served—
and my hope is, will continue to serve—as an inspiration
to the young people of this country.
—John F. Kennedy on Ernie Davis
In America in the late 1950s and early 60s, one young man became a symbol for a country grappling to move past its long-held views of people of color. His unprecedented journey unfolded as he shattered not only sports records, but also perceptions of what was possible for an African-American at the time. His name was Ernie Davis, but fans knew him better as The Elmira Express.
This film is a tribute to his courage.
Based on a true story, The Express follows the extraordinary life of college football hero Ernie Davis (ROB BROWN of Finding Forrester, Coach Carter). His quiet fight for equality and respect forever changed the face of the game, and his civil rights story continues to inspire new generations.
Born in 1939 and raised in poverty in Pennsylvania coal-mining country by his grandmother and grandfather (CHARLES S. DUTTON of Secret Window, Gothika), before moving to Elmira, New York, Davis hurdled social and economic obstacles to become one of the greatest running backs in college football history. Under the guidance of legendary Syracuse coach Ben Schwartzwalder (DENNIS QUAID of The Rookie, Any Given Sunday), he became a hero who surpassed Jim Browns achievements and became the first African-American player to be awarded the Heisman Trophy, college footballs highest individual honor.
With every role he plays, DENNIS QUAID (Ben Schwartzwalder) upholds his place as one of the most charismatic actors of our time. Quaid received supporting actor honors from the New York Film Critics Circle and Film Independents Spirit Awards, and also garnered nominations for a Golden Globe Award and Screen Actors Guild Award for his emotional turn as a closet homosexual in 1950s New York in the critically acclaimed 2002 film Far From Heaven.
Quaid recently finished production on Sony Screen Gems dramatic thriller Legion, directed by Scott Charles Stewart. Quaid stars with Paul Bettany in this story about a group of strangers stuck in a diner after a biblical apocalypse descends upon the world.
This past spring, Quaid also filmed Paramount Pictures action-adventure G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra for director Stephen Sommers. Quaid plays General Hawk, the head of an elite military unit comprised of special operatives known as G.I. Joes, operating out of The Pit, who take on an evil organization led by a notorious arms dealer. The film will be released on August 7, 2009.
In August 2008, Quaid departed for Berlin, Germany, to film Overture Films Pandorum, a horror film about a pair of crewmembers aboard a spaceship who wake up with no knowledge of their mission or their identities. Ben Foster co-stars. The film will be released in the U.S. in February 2009.
Quaid also completed production on The Horsemen. Co-starring Ziyi Zhang, the film is about a recently widowed detective still grieving over his wifes recent death who discovers a shocking connection between himself and the suspects in a serial killing spree linked to the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.
Footage Courtesy of Universal Pictures
A BlackTree Media Production
Hosted by Ms. Ameerah Banks
Produced by Jamaal Finkley
Edited at BlackTree TV Studios Culver City CA
http://www.blacktree.tv
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Author: blacktreemedia
Keywords: football ernie davis dennis qaid Rob Brown charles dutton the express film filmmaker reel interview trailer
Added: October 10, 2008
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