A Season on the Brink

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Movie Info

One of the most unabashedly profane (albeit honest) TV movies ever produced for "basic" cable, A Season on the Brink is based on John Feinstein's book about the 1985-1986 Indiana Hoosiers' basketball season. Brian Dennehy heads the cast as the controversial, combative, chair-tossing Hoosiers coach Bobby Knight, whose motto is "The only two words you need to know to play basketball at Indiana: Yes, Sir!" Driving his players mercilessly, and making verbal mincemeat of fans and reporters alike, Knight isn't interested in winning any popularity contests -- he is only interested in winning games, which he does with intimidating frequency. Along the way, Knight's abrasive style has profound effects on two of his best players, Daryl Thomas (Michael James Johnson) and Steve Alford (James Lafferty) -- not to mention Bobby's assistant coaches and family members. Videotaped footage of actual games is incorporated into the dramatized re-enactments, with mixed but generally effective results. A Season on the Brink was simulcast over ESPN and ESPN2 on March 10, 2002, with the original TVMAL-rated version airing on the former service, and a "laundered" TV14LV-rated version running on the latter channel.
  • Rating:
    R (adult situations/language)
  • Genre:
    Drama, Television
  • Directed By:
    Robert Mandel
  • Written By:
    David W. Rintels
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    LionsGate Entertainment

Cast

Brian Dennehy
as Bobby Knight
James Lafferty
as Steve Alford
Duane Murray
as Kohn Smith
Benz Antoinee
as Joby Wright
Benz Antoine
as Joby Wright
Gary Hudson
as Ron Felling
Patrick Williams
as Stew Robinson
Al Thompson
as Delray Brooks
Thomas Hauff
as Ed Williams
Dan Becker
as Dan Dakich
Manfred Maretzki
as Joseph Wisnofsky
Phoenix Gonzales
as Charlene
Yorick Parke
as Andre Harris
Michael James Johnson
as Daryl Thomas
James D. Kirk
as Patrick Knight
Frank Adamson
as President Ryan
Barbara Barnes-Hopkins
as Mrs. Harris
John Bluethiner
as Reporter
Vince Doria
as Reporter
Patti Grayson
as Mrs. Alford
Arthur Lawrence Jr.
as Turner
Steve Ratzlaff
as Mr. Alford
Ryan Sommerfield
as Indiana Player
Mike Weekes
as Todd Jadlow
Bruce Peter Young
as Robinson
Digger Phelps
as Himself
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Critic Reviews for A Season on the Brink

All Critics (3) | Top Critics (2) | Rotten (3)

  • Hoosier coach Knight's media profile has been so high for so long, his portrait is complete; Season on the Brink fails to build on that media-created persona.

    March 3, 2019 | Full Review…

    Phil Gallo

    Variety
    Top Critic

  • A Season on the Brink is a movie on the brink, as it ploddingly follows Knight and his Hoosiers during the 1985-86 season.

    January 24, 2018 | Full Review…

    Howard Rosenberg

    Los Angeles Times
    Top Critic

  • Feinstein's source book provides sufficient detail to humanize the controversial coach and explain his philosophy, but ESPN goes for the cheap shot instead and doesn't even reach the rim.

    November 13, 2002 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review…

    John A. Nesbit

    ToxicUniverse.com
View All Critic Reviews (3)

Audience Reviews for A Season on the Brink

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