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The story follows Ernie Davis, the first African American to be awarded the Heisman Trophy, as he overcomes significant obstacles both on and off the football field. Guided by Coach Ben Schwartzwalder, Davis breaks down racial barriers and earns the respect of his teammates and rivals. His journey to greatness is fraught with challenges, forcing him to confront prejudice and personal hardship while striving for victory.

The story follows Ernie Davis, the first African American to be awarded the Heisman Trophy, as he overcomes significant obstacles both on and off the football field. Guided by Coach Ben Schwartzwalder, Davis breaks down racial barriers and earns the respect of his teammates and rivals. His journey to greatness is fraught with challenges, forcing him to confront prejudice and personal hardship while striving for victory.

Does The Express have end credit scenes?

No!

The Express does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Meet the Full Cast and Actors of The Express

Explore the complete cast of The Express, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.


Ratings and Reviews for The Express

See how The Express is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where The Express stands among top-rated movies in its genre.


Metacritic

58

Metascore

7.8

User Score

Rotten Tomatoes
review

63%

TOMATOMETER

review

75%

User Score

IMDb

7.2 /10

IMDb Rating

TMDB

71

%

User Score

Take the Ultimate The Express Movie Quiz

Challenge your knowledge of The Express with this fun and interactive movie quiz. Test yourself on key plot points, iconic characters, hidden details, and memorable moments to see how well you really know the film.


The Express Quiz: Test your knowledge on the inspiring true story of Ernie Davis and his impact on college football and civil rights.

Who is the main character of The Express?

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for The Express

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Read the complete plot summary of The Express, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.


Based on a remarkable true story, The Express chronicles the uplifting journey of college football superstar Ernie Davis (Rob Brown), who made history as the first African-American to be awarded the prestigious Heisman Trophy. After being drafted into the NFL, tragedy struck the promising athlete, preventing him from stepping onto the professional field. However, his story would leave an indelible mark on the world of professional sports.

Born into poverty in the Southern Tier of New York State, Davis faced daunting challenges but ultimately emerged as an unstoppable running back for the Syracuse Orangemen. Guided by his hard-nosed coach, Ben Schwartzwalder (Dennis Quaid), who acted as a surrogate father and was fiercely dedicated to winning a national championship, Davis evolved from a standout high school player into a sports legend.

Although many acknowledged that Ernie Davis was a miracle player, few anticipated that this soft-spoken young man would become a symbol for the budding civil rights movement that was reshaping America in the early 1960s. By rejecting the unspoken racist norms of his time, Davis shattered numerous barriers, changing the perception of athletes of his race in the eyes of fans.

Despite facing a devastating blow in the prime of his life, his determination and spirit soared higher when others might have faltered. His journey compelled his obstinate coach to reevaluate a life shaped by color-based privilege and placed Davis among the ranks of black pioneers who galvanized a movement, breaking down barriers both on and off the field. > “He was a big deal. He was a pioneer.”

Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!

Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for The Express

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Watch official trailers, exclusive clips, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage from The Express. Dive deeper into the making of the film, its standout moments, and key production insights.


The Express

Ernie's High School Days Are Over! - Extended Preview

The Longhorns Game

Driving For Greatness - Extended Preview

Cars Featured in The Express

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Explore all cars featured in The Express, including their makes, models, scenes they appear in, and their significance to the plot. A must-read for car enthusiasts and movie buffs alike.


Buick

1955

Special

Cadillac

1961

Series 62

Chevrolet

1960

Biscayne

Chevrolet

1959

Corvette C1

Chevrolet

1937

Master De Luxe

Chevrolet

1939

Master De Luxe

Chevrolet

1941

Special De Luxe

Chevrolet

1951

Styleline De Luxe

Chevrolet

1955

Two-Ten

Dodge

1946

W-Series

The Express Themes and Keywords

Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.


john f. kennedy characterafrican americansyracuse universitycoachfootball movienonlinear timeline1950s1940sstudent athlete1960samerican footballbased on true storyunited states of americacleveland ohioamerican football sportcollegefootball

The Express Other Names and Titles

Explore the various alternative titles, translations, and other names used for The Express across different regions and languages. Understand how the film is marketed and recognized worldwide.


The Express The Ernie Davis Story El expreso de Elmira Экспресс: История легенды спорта Эрни Дэвиса The Express - A História de Ernie Davis The Express: La historia de Ernie Davis 生命快车 Az expressz (A megállíthatatlan) המהיר Ekspres - bohater futbolu No Limite: A História de Ernie Davis Историята на Ърни Дейвис 더 익스프레스 Express: Ernie Davis’in Hikâyesi The Express: Un héroe que marcó la historia 生命快車 Ekspresas Експрес: Історія легенди спорту Ерні Девіса Expresul Expres エクスプレス 負けざる男たち

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Browse a curated list of movies similar in genre, tone, characters, or story structure. Discover new titles like the one you're watching, perfect for fans of related plots, vibes, or cinematic styles.


Other Names for The Express

Explore the alternate titles, translations, and working names for The Express. Learn how the film is known in different regions, languages, and releases, and discover the variations that reflect its cultural reach and marketing choices.


The Express The Ernie Davis Story El expreso de Elmira Экспресс: История легенды спорта Эрни Дэвиса The Express - A História de Ernie Davis The Express: La historia de Ernie Davis 生命快车 Az expressz (A megállíthatatlan) המהיר Ekspres - bohater futbolu No Limite: A História de Ernie Davis Историята на Ърни Дейвис 더 익스프레스 Express: Ernie Davis’in Hikâyesi The Express: Un héroe que marcó la historia 生命快車 Ekspresas Експрес: Історія легенди спорту Ерні Девіса Expresul Expres エクスプレス 負けざる男たち

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