On the Shoulders of Giants
On the Shoulders of Giants
NR | 11 February 2011 (USA)
On the Shoulders of Giants Trailers

The story of the Harlem Rens: the greatest basketball team you never heard of.

Reviews
Curapedi

I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

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mraculeated

The biggest problem with this movie is it’s a little better than you think it might be, which somehow makes it worse. As in, it takes itself a bit too seriously, which makes most of the movie feel kind of dull.

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Sabah Hensley

This is a dark and sometimes deeply uncomfortable drama

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Kirandeep Yoder

The joyful confection is coated in a sparkly gloss, bright enough to gleam from the darkest, most cynical corners.

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jwilliamsclark

I wanted to show this film at my school for Black History Month. Needed a way to get the guys in and talking about history. It is just a good history and sports movie, period! Basketball is great topic, what guy of any color won't stop and have a conversation about it. Very Few! This is one of the best films that I have seen on this topic, and yes there was a lot I didn't know. So rich, so beautiful so timely. You don't have to be a sports aficionado to enjoy this film.What a way to get children and adults interested in the same topic at the same time. The visual presentation is jaw dropping. The animation is incredible!!!! You will not be disappointed once the film comes on. So many ways for this to work with you to get research started. Get it, watch and help students understand a rich history in sports.

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MartinHafer

This is the sort of film that had me wishing that I was still teaching history. If I did, I would be sure to show this film to all my American History classes. It's first-rate in quality and entertainment value, but it's also very, very profound and I think kids today could learn a lot from the example of the old New York Renaissance ('The Rens') basketball team.The film is the story about what may have been one of the very best basketball teams of all-time--and certainly the best of their era. However, because basketball leagues were segregated, this talented group of players never got a chance to make the big money or get the recognition they deserved. Instead, they played their hearts out for the love of the game but most never received any serious accolades during their lifetime. But, they did have a chance to at least tell everyone that at one point in time, they were the world champions."On the Shoulders of Giants" is a very high quality film throughout. Not only does it have interviews with many of the all-time basketball greats (featuring Kareem Abdul Jabbar but also with Bill Russell, Jerry West and many others) and non-basketball celebrities (such as Cornell West and Spike Lee) but it does something really unique. In addition to the obligatory photos and film footage, the film makers were able to use computer graphics in exciting ways--to literally pull apart and manipulate photos to make them appear to come to life. It really has to be seen to be believed and appreciated. Overall, the film is super-inspiring, exciting and I can't recommend it enough.

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