Thread by @GospelOverTribe

REMEMBER THE TITANS is 23 years old! A stirring, inspirational tale based on a true story, it remains one of the most celebrated sports films ever made. Let’s dive into the behind-the-scenes journey of this football classic...

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"Remember The Titans" is based on the true story of African-American coach Herman Boone, who integrated the T.C. Williams High School football team in Alexandria, Virginia, in 1971.

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Before signing on to play Coach Herman Boone, Denzel Washington initially turned down the role, not wanting to do another "race" movie after "Malcolm X" (1992) and "The Hurricane" (1999). After meeting the real Coach Boone, he changed his mind.

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For authenticity, some of the scenes were filmed at the original T.C. Williams High School, including the training scenes and a few game scenes.

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The movie wasn't actually shot in Virginia where the story takes place. Most of the filming was done in Georgia, including the football games.

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In the movie, Coach Boone took the team to a "training camp" in Gettysburg to form unity. In reality, the Titans never went to Gettysburg. The filmmakers used this location to underline the racial themes with American Civil War symbolism.

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"Remember the Titans" was the first film produced by Walt Disney Pictures to receive a PG rating by the MPAA under its new stricter standards for language.

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There was no "Sunshine" Ronnie Bass kiss in real life. The famous locker room scene where Sunshine kisses Gerry Bertier was fictionalized.

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The football scenes were choreographed by famous sports coordinator Mark Ellis. He's also the man behind the sports action in "Miracle", "The Longest Yard", and "The Rookie".

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The real-life Titans did not dance onto the field before games. That was a Hollywood addition to show the unity and brotherhood among the players.

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To get into their roles, the actors went through a grueling two-a-day football practice schedule, the same as high school football players. This was designed to create real chemistry and bonds between them.

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The intense car crash scene involving Gerry Bertier was real - a professional stuntman was in the car. However, in reality, the accident did not occur until after the season was over.

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Despite the film's portrayal, the Titans were actually quite dominant during their 1971 season, outscoring opponents 338-38 and recording 9 shutouts. The tension-filled games in the film were largely for dramatic effect.

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The score for Remember the Titans was composed by Trevor Rabin, who was once the guitarist for the rock band Yes. His track "Titans Spirit" was later used in many sports broadcasts and movies.

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The scene where Coach Yoast tells the referee to call the game fairly or he’ll expose him to the press was a work of fiction. However, it served as a powerful statement about the nature of racial bias in sports.

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The iconic "left side, strong side" scene was actually improvised by the actors, showing their deep understanding of the characters and the bond they developed during filming.

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During the filming, Hayden Panettiere, who played Coach Yoast's daughter Sheryl, developed a genuine bond with Will Patton, who portrayed her on-screen father. The two have remained close since then.

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In real life, Sheryl Yoast had three sisters, but the film showed her as an only child to highlight her passion for football and her relationship with her father. Sheryl passed away in 1996 of a undetected heart condition, before the film was made.

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Ryan Gosling, who played Alan Bosley, was actually a last-minute addition to the cast. Despite his later success, Gosling admitted that he was one of the worst on the football team, and joked that his lack of skills was why his character was benched.

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Denzel Washington worked closely with the real Coach Boone to prepare for his role. They spent time together, with Boone even inviting Washington into his home to learn his mannerisms and coaching philosophy.

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Perry High School in Georgia played the band for T.C. Williams High.

"The crazy part is we would finish at 5 a.m. on Monday, jump on the yellow school buses and make it back to class." - Former Perry H.S. Band Director, Joe Hutcheson

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For authenticity, the production crew dressed in 70s clothing, and all watches and clocks on set were set to 1971 time.

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The emotional funeral scene in the movie is a tribute to the real Gerry Bertier, who was paralyzed in a car crash and died in a second car accident in 1981.

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Remember the Titans had a soundtrack filled with classic 1970s hits from artists like Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, and Cat Stevens.

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The real T.C. Williams Titans have acknowledged that while the movie took creative liberties, the essence of their story - that a team can unite a community - was captured.

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Despite the racial tension depicted in the film, the real Titans stated that the racial conflicts between team members were greatly exaggerated for dramatic purposes.

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Remember the Titans is one of the most profitable film based on American football of all time, earning over $136 million worldwide against a $30 million budget.

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Many of the football players in the movie went on to have successful acting careers. Wood Harris (@WoodHarris), Ryan Hurst (@RamboDonkeyKong), and Donald Faison are among those who got their big break in Remember the Titans. And of course, Ryan Gosling.

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The line, "You can't be a football hero without breaking a sweat," was a favorite of the real-life Coach Boone, and was used in the film as an ode to his motivational techniques.

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The intense filming schedule, which included football drills, weight training, and film shooting, often lasted for 15 hours a day over a 2-month period.

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The 1971 Titans team was inducted into the Virginia High School Hall of Fame in 1991. The film's premiere was held at the school's football field in 2000.

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The school and team depicted in the film, T.C. Williams High School and the Titans, were renamed in 2020 as Alexandria City High School to distance themselves from their namesake, Thomas Chambliss Williams, a former superintendent who was an avowed segregationist.

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"Remember The Titans" has endured as an all-time classic, inspiring & educating audiences about teamwork, friendship, & equality, even 23 years later.

No doubt, sports fans, movie fans, and the U.S. will always Remember the Titans.

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