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Paul Newman, Strother Martin, Michael Ontkean, Jennifer Warren, Lindsay Crouse ... see more see more... , Jerry Houser , Andrew Duncan , Jeff Carlson , Steve Carlson , David Hanson , Yvon Barrette , Allan F. Nicholls , Brad Sullivan , Stephen Mendillo , Yvan Ponton , Matthew Cowles , Kathryn Walker , Melinda Dillon , M. Emmet Walsh , Paul D'Amato , Ned Dowd , Nancy Dowd , Larry Block , Paul Dooley , Swoosie Kurtz , Christopher Murney , Allison Caine

Paul Newman plays Reggie Dunlop, the coach of a pathetic minor-league American hockey team. His career at a standstill and his marriage in tatters, Dunlop has nothing to lose by taking on a new group ... read more read more...of players who are one evolutionary step above Neanderthals. Only when the team begins winning does he decide to get behind these players, and to encourage the rest of the team to play as down-and-dirty as the newcomers. Straight-arrow team member Ned Braden (Michael Ontkean) resents this influx of gonzo talent, preferring to play clean. As the film's multitude of subplots play themselves out, Dunlop does his best to keep the outraged Braden on the team. Slap Shot is the sort of film for which the "R" rating was invented: Its nonstop barrage of profanity and its raunchy action sequences are of such intensity that the film will probably never be shown intact on commercial television. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Flixster Users

52% want to see it

38,434 ratings

Critics

83% liked it

24 critics

R, 2 hr. 3 min.

Directed by: George Roy Hill

Keywords: sports, hockey

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DVD Release Date: January 5, 1999

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paul newman role reggie dunlop in "slap shot" (1977) Slap Shot Slap Shot Slap Shot Slap Shot Allan Nicholls as Johnny Upton hanson brothers in "slap shot" (1977) Slap Shot Slap Shot Slap Shot Slap Shot Jennifer Warren as Francine Dunlop Jerry Houser as Dave 'Killer' Carlson Lindsay Crouse as Lily Braden Andrew Duncan as Jim Carr Jeff Carlson as Jeff Hanson Steve Carlson as Steve Hanson David Hanson as Jack Hanson
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Flixster Reviews (2,357)

  • kenstachnik
    February 4, 2012
    kenstachnik
    Easily as fun as a barrel full of monkeys.
  • cosmo313
    September 18, 2011
    cosmo313
    For me, sports movies are okay. Like all genres, they have their good ones, and their bad ones. Who would have thought that one of the best sports movies is actually an anti-sports movie? This film is this one- a nice little gem from the 70s that really exemplifies the zeitgeist ... read moreof the era with it's crude language, bloody fighting, and general boorish nasty edge and nature.

    The plot concerns a washed up veteran hockey and coach (who's not really good at either) who tries to take his awful, struggling minor league team and turn them around into popular winners, which he starts to do once he discovers that the audience reacts positively to goonish behavior. He's a fascinating guy to watch because the skills he lacks as a player and coach are made up for by the fact that he's a skilled con man who is good at manipulating people, especially other players.

    Their team, the Charlestown Chiefs, is not the only one struggling. Besides looking at sports, the film also touches upon the current events of the time by addressing the dire situation of late 1970s industrial towns in the Northeast. The local mill is on the verge of closing, and, should that happen, the hockey team is likely to go too. This little detail is something I appreciated because it adds more to the film, but also helps cement it as a cultural timepiece, giving insight into what the world was like at that time.

    So yeah, the film is dated to an extent, and the vulgarity and rawness of things aren't quite as shocking, but I still found the film fresh and eye opening because of the content. This film is undeniably a product of the 70s, and I think it's all the better as a result.

    The cast are great. Paul Newman reunites with George Roy Hill (this time without Redford) and he is awesome as coach/player Reggie Dunlop. The guy is a mess, but yet, despite his attitude and actions (and the attitudes and actions of his team), you can't help but like these guys and root for them, even though you should feel otherwise. Supporting him are Strother Martin, Michael Ontkean, and tons of actual pro and minor leaguers.

    Give this one a shot. It's entertaining, funny (though I don't think it was supposed to be a comedy), has wonderful music, and is a great look at the wild side of sports.
  • TheDudeLebowski65
    May 29, 2011
    TheDudeLebowski65
    Slap Shot is one of the greatest sports comedies ever made. Starring Paul Newman in the role of Reggie Dunlop, Captain of the Charlestown Chiefs, this film set the standard for every other sports comedy that came after it. The film is full of memorable, hilarious scenes. After d... read morewindling ticket sales, the Chiefs take on three goons by the names of the Hansons. After a while they start wining and become a household name. Slap Shot is a very memorable film because of the Hansons and all the other assorted crazy characters on the team. Slap Shot is definitely one of the genres great classics. The reason that Slap Shot has struck such a cord with fans of hockey and other audiences is because of the Hanson Brothers, I mean with every scene there in they deliver the laughs and a great time. The characters are all terrific. Aside from the Hansons a character I really like is "Killer" Carson. One scene that stands out for me is when Reggie tries to settle down for a nap and Killer calls Reggie up and says he wants the 100$ bounty that Reggie placed on an opposing players head. I personally thought it was a funny scene and one of the best of the film. Slap Shot is one of the best comedies that you can watch with friends, this film did for hockey fans what Animal House did for college students. One of the best in sports comedies, this is in a league of it's own. A well acted, hilarious ride with Reggie Dunlop, "Killer" Carson and The Hanson Brothers, Slap Shot will bring on the laughs.
  • FilmFanatik
    May 12, 2011
    FilmFanatik
    Filthy, foul, and completely of the bend, this is an absolutely hysterical movie. Most people call it the best sports movie ever made, and while I can see why, I don't really agree. To me, it's not really about the hockey in this movie. The hockey is the backdrop and the chara... read morecters, situations, and the over-the-top comic antics are all the stars of the film. I also love Paul Newman in this. He's always great but he really shines here. This is one of those great late night movies you can watch after a long day to have a few laughs and get your mind off of things for a while. Love it.
  • pier007
    September 8, 2009
    pier007
    A riot. Even if Hockey has never been my sport, I think this is the kind of movie that after a while you start to think about the characters as your buddies.
    Nevermind the level of sarcasm, senseless violence and gutter language. It says more about the men in the rink, their issu... read morees and their needs, than the typical, preachy and over-sentimental hollywood crap.
  • danperry17
    April 15, 2008
    danperry17
    Slap Shot is a hilarious and vulgar relic that will forever commemorate the decline of hockey during the reign of the Broad Street Bullies in the mid-70s, when the goon-laced Philadelphia Flyers were winning Stanley Cups with the afro-ed Bobby Clarke - parodied in this film as Og... read moreie Oglethorpe - front and centre.

    A somewhat disturbing dark comedy conjuring up some of Robert Altman's best work in its first 90 minutes, the ending leaves a lot to be desired. It makes a great point about hockey, but I really wanted the sports formula. Good performance by Paul Newman, and a piece of hockey lore worldwide, this is an offbeat movie that, even with its flaws, can be watched again and again.
  • deano
    January 26, 2008
    deano
    This is the best sport comedy of the 1970s I ever saw and also the best Paul Newman movie of the year. This is very funny, marvelously acted movie. Lots of hilarious with Hanson Brothers on the ice hockey. I love it!
  • harrycaul
    November 28, 2007
    harrycaul
    This is certainly not hilarious but it does hit the right buttons once in a while. The problem with the film is that, after gleefully catering to the bloodthirsty section of the audience for most of its running time, it then hypocritically back-pedals and preaches that violence i... read moren sport is disgraceful. Lindsay Crouse makes the most of her underwritten role as a disgruntled wife. Overlong and over-vulgar.
  • DrZeek
    May 15, 2007
    DrZeek
    Reggie Dunlop: I am personally placing a hundred-dollar bounty on the head of Tim McCracken. He's the head coach and chief punk on that Syracuse team.
    Jim Carr: A bounty?
    Reggie Dunlop: Yeah, a hundred bucks of my own money for the first of my guys who really nails that creep.

    N... read moreow here's a movie about fun. Paul Newman and his friend and director George Roy Hill combine forces again to make a great, fun, vulger sports comedy about Hockey.

    This movie is R for a reason. All the players talk like real men, hockey men, they swear, curse, and shout obsinities. They are hard core.

    The movie surrounds the minor-leage team, the Charelston Chiefs and how they suck, but don't want to stop playing. When the team learns that it may be their last season or they may be sold, new players are acquired.

    This introduces the Hanson Brothers, a vicious mob of three players who destroy everyone in the rink, and the movie just gets funnier.

    This is a funny movie, that's not afraid to ...pull punches.

    McGrath: Good crowd out there tonight, boys, let's really try to win this one.
    Ned Braden: You have to hand it to the old bastard, he's highly original.
    Jim Ahern: That man traveled 15 hours by bus to say that?
  • garyX
    March 27, 2007
    garyX
    Sports comedy that oozes kitsch and grim violence in a way only the 70s could combine. Imagine The Mighty Ducks crossed with A Clockwork Orange. If you can...

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Critic Reviews

Richard Schickel
August 1, 2008
Richard Schickel, TIME Magazine

Slap Shot may have done a lot of fast skating and some solid body checking, but in the last period it makes a final costly slip -- and misses its goal. Full Review

Vincent Canby
March 14, 2007
Vincent Canby, New York Times

Slap Shot has a kind of vitality to it that overwhelms most of the questions relating to consistency of character and point of view. Full Review

March 14, 2007
Variety

Half the time Hill invites the audience to get off on the mayhem, the other half of the time he decries it. Full Review

August 1, 2008
Film4

An unsually abrasive sporting drama from director Hill. Full Review

Scott Weinberg
March 26, 2007
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com

Raw, raunchy, and absolutely hilarious.

Geoff Andrew
March 14, 2007
Geoff Andrew, Time Out

There are still some nice touches of absurdist satirical wit hanging out along the sidelines, given extra bite by Dede Allen's superbly pacy editing. Full Review

Patrick Byrne
March 14, 2007
Patrick Byrne, Apollo Guide

This film is full of friendly slap shots, romantic icing, and passionate goals. It's well worth checking out. Full Review

March 14, 2007
TV Guide's Movie Guide

Funny, frank, and violent, George Roy Hill's absorbing film about minor league hockey offers a wonderful comic performance from Newman. Full Review

Jon Niccum
April 29, 2005
Jon Niccum, Lawrence Journal-World

The quintessential hockey flick

Steve Crum
October 25, 2004
Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan

Pushed the puck for nudity and language of its time.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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  • The 1977 movie "Slap Shot," portraying the Charlestown Chiefs, was really filmed in a small Pennsylvania town called Johnstown.  Answer »
  • Who played the coach in "Slap Shot"?  Answer »
  • Which sport is the subject of the 1977 film Slap Shot, starring Paul Newman?  Answer »
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