I checked IMDb : 3.9 score. Then I worked out this was a "black" film, or, translated, an inspiring film where the main subjects are black but which can be inspiration to anyone out there. And "black" films hardly ever get scores above 5, so I decided to take it out anyhow and see it for myself.What a film. What a performance from Terrence Howard, yet again - this man doesn't know what bad acting is; whatever the film, the Oscar winning CRASH, the revenge thriller with Jodie Foster, THE BRAVE ONE, John Singleton's FOUR BROTHERS, or HUSTLE & FLOW, this guy shows he is one of the best actors around.Whatever your colour, simply put your Objective hat on and let yourself be inspired - you'll go to bed dreaming, feeling good, moved, inspired. Brilliant.

In fact this movie isn't great. it isn't that bad either. certainly, it is not a 2.6 - 3.2 movie. more like a 6.5. I'd vote 10 just to bring up the average. But it would be silly. let's give it a 7.Back to the movie, though, it's one of the few where swimming is featured, instead of the statutory American sports. A nice change. I didn't know of Jim Ellis, and don't know if its team really managed to win the city championship after just a few month's training. It looks unlikely to me.Yet, the film is watchable, and it nicely shows that real people aren't (morally) black or white.

The movie begins with a young talented athlete who is not allowed to compete in a swim meet because he is black. I believe that this was truly the case in 1964. I found myself getting angry about the "authorities" who were a part of the problem.Move ahead 10 years and that same black man has now completed his education and is ready to make some type of an impact and is turned away, again, partially because he is now and educated BLACK man. He settles on a job of helping to close a Pennsylvania Rec Center and things begin to happen.Mr. Ellis finds himself caring about a group of young men who spend all their time playing basketball on the outside court of the Rec Center--but not coming into the Center or attending school. Through this man's concern and then coaching a swim team begins to be formed and the movie shows several aspects of the struggle these youth have to face. The main problem is believing that something can be different and they can be a part of it.As the team begins to take Pride in what they are doing the community begins to take notice and starts to support them. Of course the movie ends with a (spoiler) miracle win. But it is only after they become a TEAM and care about each other.Loved the movie. I don't understand why it was rated so low--it definitely does NOT deserve the 3.2 or whatever it is. Watch this if you get a chance. Thank You.

Pride is MUCH better than the 2.6 rating - yes, it does wear its heart firmly on its sleeve, but a turkey it most definitely is not. We loved Akeelah and the Bee last year and would put this in the same sense of journey: the ad campaign and tag line should be:"The waves they created changed their world forever..."It does what sport movies should do - gives you the training, the sport, the lift. Of course you know the step by step play but that doesn't alter the fact that this is watchable.I'm afraid I don't get the objections on ground of race - I would imagine being poor, black, and impoverished and the first in my sport in 1974 would be realistically unbelievably tough.If you like your films to be about values - then is is definitely worth the view.IMDb voters should be ashamed - this is not the worst film of all time by a long shot - or all our hearts dead?Ignore the vote - and view with an open heart - we found it decent, inspiring, and all together a satisfying view.