Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that tweens and teens who like sports movies may very well want to see this emotional drama, which is based on a real-life 1970 plane crash that killed 75 people from a small West Virginia university, including football team members and staff. The crash is rendered in an instant (as an electrical "zap"); viewers then see flaming wreckage in the woods as firemen shake their heads (no bodies, just sadness). Mourning, often angrily expressed, takes place at funerals, over meals, and during football practice. The film includes some iffy language ("damn," "s--t," and "hell"), as well as tension among players, coaches, and boosters. In one scene, players drink a case of beer, bonding in their drunkenness.

Sexual Content

Brief, passionate kiss by cheerleader-football player couple at the start of the film.

Violence

Plane crash occurs in an instant (an electrical zap on screen), followed by black screen, then shots of flaming wreckage in the woods; funerals show weeping, upset familes; football action is hard-hitting (bodies slam, fall, fly through the air in slow motion, with loud sound effects); painful injuries (moaning, crumpled players); some emotional arguments (in one, a coach yells at, then pushes a player to the ground).

Language

Mild language includes "damn," "hell," and "s--t" (spoken in grief, excitement, surprise, and anger).

Social Behavior

Students, players, and coaches survive guilt and grief; one upset father ensures the university president's firing (then feels bad about it); arguments between both coaches and players and coaches and administrators eventually work out. Lots of emotional expression.

Consumerism

Falls City beer.

Drugs / Tobacco / Alcohol

Students drink beer (they get drunk) and listen to rock music in an effort to get over their loss.