Everything You Need To Know About THE EXPRESS …As It Relates To You And Your World The Actors, Director, Info, Reviews, and Photos

Follows the extraordinary life of college football hero Ernie Davis (Rob Brown), the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy. His fight for equality and respect forever changed the face of American sports, and his story continues to inspire new generations. Photos © 2008 Universal Pictures. Review © David Bruce MPAA Rating: PG-13 (thematic content, violence and language involving racism, and for brief sensuality)

DENNIS QUAID (Ben Schwartzwalder) DENNIS QUAID (Ben Schwartzwalder)  Known for his famous grin  His career lost steam in the early 1990s, after he fought and kicked a cocaine addiction  He was raised Baptist and is a practicing Christian Photos © 2008 Universal Pictures. Review © David Bruce

ROB BROWN (Ernie Davis) ROB BROWN (Ernie Davis)  Shot into the spotlight after starring opposite Sean Connery in the 2000 film Finding Forrester  He is the spokesperson for "Light the Night", a walk supporting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Photos © 2008 Universal Pictures. Review © David Bruce

CLANCY BROWN (Roy Simmons) CLANCY BROWN (Roy Simmons)  Brown, who is 6 ft 3½ in tall and possesses a deep voice, is often typecast in roles of villains  Married to Jeanne Johnson, with whom he has two children Photos © 2008 Universal Pictures. Review © David Bruce

GARY FLEDER GARY FLEDER  He is a director, screenwriter, and producer  Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead was his feature film debut, premiered at Cannes in 1995  He lives in southern California with his family, including two rescue dogs Photos © 2008 Universal Pictures. Review © David Bruce

Robert Gallagher (author) Ernie Davis: The Elmira Express, the Story of a Heisman It may not be the most literary piece of work ever written, but it the real story of Ernie Davis' legacy. Photos © 2008 Universal Pictures. Review © David Bruce

President John F. Kennedy: “Seldom has an athlete been more deserving of such a tribute. Your high standards of performance on the field and off the field, reflect the finest qualities of competition, sportsmanship and citizenship. The nation has bestowed upon you its highest awards for your athletic achievements. It's a privilege for me to address you tonight as an outstanding American, and as a worthy example of our youth. I salute you.” Photos © 2008 Universal Pictures. Review © David Bruce

Based on a true story, "The Express" follows the extraordinary life of college football hero Ernie Davis (Rob Brown), the first African- American to win the Heisman Trophy. His fight for equality and respect forever changed the face of American sports, and his story continues to inspire new generations. Photos © 2008 Universal Pictures. Review © David Bruce

Raised in poverty in Pennsylvania coal-mining country, 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), he became a hero who superseded Jim Brown's achievements and set records that stand to this day. Photos © 2008 Universal Pictures. Review © David Bruce

Decorated veteran Schwartzwalder was a Southerner with a single vision of a national championship and hardened ideas about how the world worked. But though he and Davis clashed mightily, he taught the player everything he knew about football, just as Davis helped him learn the true meaning of victory. Photos © 2008 Universal Pictures. Review © David Bruce

As the growing civil rights movement divided the country in the '60s, Davis became a symbol for achievement that transcended race. Refusing to flinch from others' prejudices, he achieved all his goals—until he faced a challenge that would make most men crumble. Photos © 2008 Universal Pictures. Review © David Bruce

He joined the ranks of black pioneers by teaching a generation tolerance, inspiring a movement that smashed barriers on and off the field. Photos © 2008 Universal Pictures. Review © David Bruce

Consensus voice: "At times stirring, inspiring and thoughtful" --Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times Photos © 2008 Universal Pictures. Review © David Bruce

Jim Brown: “Ernie Davis could live in a black world and the white world pretty seamlessly. He didn’t threaten people. He had this gift of getting along with everyone, beyond race, and that’s a compelling trait. Ernie was a peacemaker.” Peace over prejudice Jim Brown: “Ernie Davis could live in a black world and the white world pretty seamlessly. He didn’t threaten people. He had this gift of getting along with everyone, beyond race, and that’s a compelling trait. Ernie was a peacemaker.” Photos © 2008 Universal Pictures. Review © David Bruce

As you know, it is based on the life of Syracuse University football player Ernie Davis, the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy. Dennis Quaid is a natural in this role, remember The Rookie? This role fits him. Additionally, he knows something about overcoming the odds, in the early 1990s he fought and kicked a cocaine addiction. So his heart really shows in this flick. As for Rob Brown, this film is right down his alley, too. in all of his earlier films he has played the role of an African-American high school student who overcomes obstacles (Finding Forrester, Coach Carter, and Take the Lead). And, he is at it again, this time as a college student.. Review © David Bruce

If we were to wake up some morning and find that everyone was the same race, creed and color, we would find some other cause for prejudice by noon. --George Aiken A great many people think they are thinking when they are really rearranging their prejudices. --William James ( ) Everyone is a prisoner of his own experiences. No one can eliminate prejudices - just recognize them. --Edward R. Murrow ( ) Photos © 2008 Universal Pictures. Review © David Bruce

“The greatest friend of Truth is time, her greatest enemy is Prejudice, and her constant companion Humility.” --Charles Caleb Colton ( ) Photos © 2008 Universal Pictures. Review © David Bruce