Biography of pro basketball player "Pistol" Pete Maravich, who died suddenly in 1988 at age 40 from a heart attack.Biography of pro basketball player "Pistol" Pete Maravich, who died suddenly in 1988 at age 40 from a heart attack.Biography of pro basketball player "Pistol" Pete Maravich, who died suddenly in 1988 at age 40 from a heart attack.
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Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe basketball goal used by Pete (Adam Guier) is hanging inside the historic Ponchatoula Country Market in Ponchatoula, Louisiana, where the movie was filmed. The market is located inside a historic train depot built in the 19th century.
- GoofsA package of Marlboro "Light" cigarettes is clearly visible in the pocket of young Pete's father. That product would not be introduced for years.
- Quotes
Press Maravich: [to his players at practice] I am not spending valuable hours of my life just to teach you boys to throw a ball through an iron hoop. This is a way of life, I want players to think. Work, sweat, challenge themselves, discipline themselves, because anything else you boys it just isn't worth it, to anyone. The problem with you boys is simple. You're all a bunch of dummies 'cause you think you know it all. Give me the ball.
[He draws a small circle on the ball]
Press Maravich: You see this circle? The size of this circle represents everything that I know about basketball. But the size of this ball represents everything about the game that has never been dicovered.
[He puts a small dot on the ball]
Press Maravich: This dot is what you know, combined.
[throws the ball back to the player]
Press Maravich: Now if you'll forget about the girls and cars and listen to me you can accomplish things that you never thought were possible. I don't care if you're short, slow, tall, or small. You can play with the best of them if you'll dedicate yourself to becoming better.
- SoundtracksRise On My Own
Written by John Gregory and Brad Hanratty
Performed by Mirage
Produced by Rick Jarrard
Published by Uncle Josh's Song Emporium, Inc.
Quality throwback to family filmmaking, "The Pistol" is an entertaining and informative biopic of the late basketball star Pete Maravich. Pic has been playing regionally since January and will appeal to general tv and video audiences.
Theatrical release was underwritten by a fast-food chain (Chick-Fil-A), a laudable effort to counter trends and back G-rated material.
Film wisely focuses on a single year in Maravich's life, 1959, when the 13-year-old basketball phenom got a break and made varsity at his Louisiana high school. Encouraged by his visionary college coach dad, little Pete's misadventures as odd man out among older teammates are well-directed by Frank Schroeder.
What gives the indie film oomph is casting of young Adam Guier as the hero. His precocious skill with a basketball is amply displayed in training and game footage, and the tyro actor gives a sympathetic performance. Film climaxes with his team finally pulling together and beating an all-black high school team in a non-sanctioned contest (during this segregated era).
Millie Perkins and Nick Benedict are solid as Pete's parents while Boots garland (who also supervised the basketball scenes) avoids cliches in portraying the old-fashioned coach. He initially scoffs at Maravich's moves, saying "That's all right for the Globetrotters", but ultimately acquiesces while stressing fundamentals.
Pic is obviously a labor of love dedicated to the memory of Maravich, who died in 1988 with the record as all-time college scoring champ. Younger viewers will learn a lot about the early crossover of playing styles now taken for granted in both pro and amateur ranks.
- lor_
- Jun 28, 2023
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Details
- Runtime1 hour 30 minutes
- Color