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We Are Marshall

We Are Marshall is a 2006 American biographical sports drama film directed by McG.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

We Are Marshall is a 2006 American biographical sports drama film directed by McG. It dramatizes the aftermath of the 1970 Southern Airways Flight 932 crash that killed 75 people connected to Marshall University’s football program and surrounding community, and the effort to rebuild the team. In Quebec, the film was released under the title L'Esprit d'une équipe.

Plot and historical basis

The film centres on Marshall University’s efforts to recover after a 1970 plane crash killed 75 people associated with the football program and its supporters. It follows the arrival of coach Jack Lengyel and the attempt to restart the team.

Production and release

We Are Marshall was directed by McG and released by Warner Bros. Pictures on December 22, 2006. It was filmed partly in Huntington, West Virginia, to reflect the real setting.

Cast

The ensemble cast includes Matthew McConaughey, Matthew Fox, David Strathairn, Anthony Mackie, Kate Mara, January Jones, Ian McShane, and others.

Reception

The film received mixed to negative critical reviews and underperformed at the box office. It earned about $43.5 million against a $65 million budget, making it a box office bomb.

Key facts

  • The film was released by Warner Bros. Pictures in December 2006.
  • It is based on the real-life 1970 plane crash involving Marshall University players, coaches, staff, boosters, and others.
  • Matthew McConaughey plays Jack Lengyel, the new coach who helps rebuild the football program.
  • The film was shot in Huntington, West Virginia, and other locations.
  • It received mixed to negative reviews and was a box office bomb, earning about $43.5 million against a $65 million budget.
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Canadian context

The film had a Canadian release title in Quebec, where it was known as L'Esprit d'une équipe.[3]

Frequently asked questions

What is We Are Marshall about?
It is about Marshall University’s football program and community coping with the 1970 plane crash, then rebuilding the team under coach Jack Lengyel.
Is We Are Marshall based on a true story?
Yes. It is based on the real 1970 crash involving Marshall University players, coaches, staff, and supporters.
Who directed We Are Marshall?
McG directed the film.
When was We Are Marshall released?
It premiered in the United States on December 22, 2006.
Who stars in We Are Marshall?
Major cast members include Matthew McConaughey, Matthew Fox, and David Strathairn.
Was We Are Marshall commercially successful?
No. Sources describe it as a box office bomb, with gross receipts below its production budget.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/We_Are_Marshall
    Supports: Basic film details: 2006 American biographical sports drama, director, plot premise, release date, box office, and production budget.
  2. Marshall University — https://www.marshall.edu/movie/
    Supports: Official university summary of the film’s subject matter, cast, filming locations, and release date.
  3. Wikipedia (French) — https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/We_Are_Marshall
    Supports: Quebec title and release information.
  4. Netflix — https://www.netflix.com/title/70047096
    Supports: Short synopsis, genre, rating, cast, and thematic description.
  5. Apple TV — https://tv.apple.com/gb/movie/we-are-marshall/umc.cmc.5j909qa8kel47pzszud2o6ood
    Supports: Brief plot description and premise.