ON DVD 'Miracle' teaches classic lessons

The 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team won through vision and hard work.
By NANCY CHURNIN
DALLAS MORNING NEWS
Looking for an inspirational movie to get your young athlete to believe in himself? You can't do much better than "Miracle," a movie based on the true story of the young amateur American hockey team that upset the longtime champion Russians and went on to seize the gold in the 1980 Olympics.
For coach Herb Brooks, played with indelible intensity by Kurt Russell, it wasn't about finding the best players. It was about finding the right players. By that he meant finding players who weren't necessarily all-stars but could rise to the demands he made of them and work together as a unit.
The portrait of coach Brooks, who died before the film was finished, shows a man with a vision and a belief that he could find the greatness within his team that would make it capable of what no one thought was possible. But though the story reminds kids that belief is important, it does not shirk at showing how hard work -- and endless, painful practice -- is also a necessary ingredient for success.
Things are different
Times have changed. Now, professionals play on the American Olympic hockey team, rather than raw, untested underdogs. On a historic level, it's also sobering to catch the news bits that show the Russians invading Afghanistan -- which recalls the time the United States helped back the Islamic radicals there. And then there's poignant footage of the Twin Towers before the team goes to play in New York.
But overall, "Miracle" offers a message of hope that radiates with the eternal crackle of the Olympic flame. Cool DVD extras include interviews with the real coach Brooks and a look at how faithfully the film reflects the plays and the personalities, right down to casting real hockey players, most of whom learned how to act on the job.
X"Miracle," rated PG, is available on DVD and VHS.