HOOSIERS - Opening Credits & Theme Song - 1986

I was born in the Fall of 1952 near Louisville. Some of my fondest early memories are of traveling with my grandparents to visit my Great-Grandmother in the very small town of Irvington, KY. about every two months in their 1948 maroon Dodge which they had until 1969. This film, especially the outdoor and opening scenes with that evoking sweet music, seems as familiar as my own memories. Have loved this movie since '86. Watch it every Fall. What's really cool now is our son lives in Bloomington, Indiana, and married a girl from Linton, the high school the "Huskers" defeated to go on to the State Tournament. And it's almost a three-hour drive to visit them only because we choose to go up the Indiana back roads rather than I-65. : )

This intro has always filled me with emotion. Just knowing what he’s on his way to do, what he’s about to accomplish. Sometimes, those hard nosed, emotionless coaches have great intentions, and make differences in people’s lives. Not only did he turn this program into a state championship team, he also united the community, and redeemed Shooter and helped him patch up his relationship with his son.

This opening causes me to tear up because I was from the area. I know the boys playing basketball at their barn (well, they aren’t boys anymore, obviously) and when he stops at the crossroads, that was a mile from my childhood home. The church was Concord Christian. It burned down when I was still young in a rash of church arsons. It was never rebuilt and that lot is farmed again.

I love this show especially growing up in a small town playing basketball and being a part of a community it’s an amazing feeling. This song makes me think of home and how special small towns are to the townsfolks.

The best sport movie of all time !!!

Never seen a movie capture the Midwest better than this one. I grew up in a rural farm town in Illinois, and this scene more than any just captures the feeling of home to me. Love this scene so much, the music, the atmosphere, the sunrise over the fields, barns with basketball hoops nailed to them, iconic Midwest.

Coach Norman Dale making the long trek from Ithaca, NY to Hickory, IN. One of the great opening scenes in movie history. It really sets the stage for the entire story.

Beautiful opening theme. Two that come very close are, "The Best Years of Our Lives" (Hugo Friedhofer) and "Once Upon a Time in America" ( Ennio Morricone).

Was under spiritual attack for past week ...pulled out ...do not understand how this happens ...beyond my understanding 🧸🧠

Very moving, inspiring ...majestic

Excellent movie,love gene hackman.

My father and mother's Indiana and values of a heartland people that resonates for anyone who has lived here and loved here. Beyond my time, may Indiana become its own country, because if ever there was a state where you will see those values still in front of your eyes and hands, it is here in Indiana.
A humble, proud Hoosier....

Similar tune to Rudy

❤

In an additional comment, New Jeffersonian is absolutely spot on. This theme and the glorious Cinematography perfectly encapsulate 1950s Rural America. The Theme Song is my second favorite of all time. Only the magnificent theme to The Untouchables tops it in my opinion. David Anspaughs Direction is so beautifully done. Possibly the most uplifting movie of all time. If you want to feel better about everything around you watch this unforgettable film.

Beautiful, Exquisite Theme Music. Jerry Goldsmiths Score sets the tone for one of the most charming, uplifting movies ever made. You literally are transported to Rural Indiana of the 1950s with every note. The quality of the Cinematography matches perfectly with the Timeless Soundtrack. On a scale of 1 to 10, it's a 12. This Theme should have won an Oscar in a Cakewalk.

Uma das mais lindas aberturas da história do cinema.
Os mestres Fred Murphy (fotografia) e Jerry Goldsmith (música) fazem a diferença.🎼❤️

I grew up in rural Wisconsin in the early 60’s . The scenery puts me right back on that farm , in that school , walking the street and the fields near my little town . Makes me smile and almost cry at the same time .

Some of my better opinions in the making of "Hoosiers" was the music score was composed and conducted by Jerry Goldsmith.
In fact, he earned an 1987 Oscar nomination for best original score, but it went to Herbie Hancock's dazzling "Round Midnight."

One of the very best basketball movies all time great ☝️

This beautiful opening scene of 1950’s Indiana is the most wonderful example of zeitgeist.

I watch this as part of my nightly wind down process.

Then ending up watching vids for an hour.

I love you guys.

It is eerie watching this scene. Seeing what 1950's small towns in America were all about: basketball. As a young adult living in the US, I have never been able to experience this sort of feel in the United States. My relatives always long for the simpler days, the better days.

God I love the driving scene

The most evocative opening of any film ever made. My mother grew up in small town like this in Oregon. Cheers to everyone here who has connections to a small town across America.

I remember seeing this movie when I was a young man in high school. The magic of basketball was everything. Had no idea back then how much this movie would come to mean to me later in life.

Absolutely LOVE this movie and song my favorite opening theme to any movie my dad showed me this movie and I love it so much even though I’m 15 I love all these old movies wish people made more movies like these in this generation!

I love you guys

I put on this song for my wife and kids when we drove through Indiana last year.

Of the many great films and memorable roles in Gene Hackman's career Hoosiers is definitely at or near the top of the list. This makes it all the more surprising that Hackman nearly turned down the role of Norman Dale and felt certain the movie would be a huge flop.

In an interview the director David Anspaugh related that during filming Hackman turned to co-star Dennis Hopper and said "Dennis I hope you've invested well because we'll never work again after this film." Anspaugh said he was entirely unaware of Hackman's doubts until Dennis Hopper confided this incident to him years later.

Being from Indiana this just grips me.

Still remember seeing it, New Years Eve 1986, and even at six thinking about how powerful great storytelling can be. I can't quote you Homer, I don't care about Mozart, but I can quote every word, beat, pause and noise in this movie verbatim.

This was my dad's favorite scene in his favorite movie. Today is my very first Father's Day without him. I miss him so much. I hope to watch this flick every year in his memory...

I love you, dad.

When This Movie is going to be free

Converse Shoes

This movie is obviously about a winter sport but nothing makes me think of autumn more than this opening scene.

Old America there you are we miss you....

Such a beautiful opening and set up for the coach, coming out of the darkness and into this beautiful light of a new beginning , we feel like we are in the car with him going along for the ride, and what a ride he takes us on in this amazing film.

Nothing like 80s electronic music when its supposed to be the 1950s!!! Worst score ever!!

I see that you can shoot but there’s more to the game than shooting theirs fundamentals and defense

Talk about a soundtrack, especially for the opening, that perfectly sets the tone of the film better than dialogue ever could. This is up there with my most favorite film soundtracks.

I feel a special connection to this movie, as Hoosiers was supposedly my Grandpas favorite film. I never got to know my Grandpa, as he died several years before I was born in May of 2002, however, whenever I watch this film, i think of him.

Nothing has ever better captured late fall in southern Indiana

It's altimate no words Gene is amazing as is everyone else

I shed tears when I watch this...
The hope and aspirations in this melody...
Remind me of...
A country and a time that is no more.

One of the best basketball movie's ever though the year's GOD bless you all ☝️👍☝️👍☝️

It is the altimate best I wish the star of the show would realize it Gene Hackman is the best ever The movie is a Classic It is close to my Heart

There is not much difference between the rural route towns in Kansas compared to Indiana. Looks same compare to little towns in east Kansas.

this movie was free all summer and now I have to rent it? appreciate this Mr. George