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James Caan, Halle Berry, Omar Epps, Craig Sheffer, Kristy Swanson ... see more see more... , Abraham Benrubi , Duane Davis , Jon Maynard Pennell , Andrew Bryniarski , J. Leon II Pridgen , John Bennes , Chris Berman , Ernest Dixon , J. Don Ferguson , Robert Fuller , Jim Fyfe , Rhoda Griffis , George Lee , George Nannerello , J.C. Quinn , Robert D. Raiford , Bo Schembechler , Lynn Stalmaster , Lynn Swann , Joey Lauren Adams , Tim Parati , George Rogers

Eastern State University isn't particularly notable for anything except its football program. Lately, even that hasn't been doing too well, and the athletic staff led by Coach Winters (James Caan) are... read more read more... under considerable pressure by the administration and alumni to bring in a winning season. To do that, he has to recruit some able, promising young players out of high school. It's not too surprising to learn that he will do almost anything to get these kids, and its even less surprising that, as long as they keep producing on the field, he and the college will overlook almost any obnoxious behavior the boys can perpetrate to the limit of their ability. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi

Flixster Users

77% liked it

11,535 ratings

Critics

36% liked it

14 critics

R, 1 hr. 57 min.

Directed by: David S. Ward, Allan Graf

Release Date: September 24, 1993

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DVD Release Date: March 29, 2005

Stats: 597 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (597)


  • November 28, 2007
    this film was huge with my friends upon its release but its themes were a little silly for me. really just a brainless football film for people who look for cheap tricks.
  • April 30, 2009
    This one is an older movie but it gives a pretty startling view of college football, both the good and bad. The acting's pretty good and the characters are for the most part worth rooting for....
  • April 7, 2008
    I'll never forget this movie. 2 reasons. 1) The guys who spit into each others mouths to prepare for a game.
    2) They lie down in traffic to feel a rush....? WOW. Well, its not a bad football movie. Well yeah, it is. But its memorable.
  • January 3, 2008
    good flick lots of stars in it.but i didn't know that when i first saw it.i even have it in my movie library.
  • April 5, 2007
    Andrew Bryniarski as Steve Lattimer was insane... "Starting defense! Place at the table!"
    [smashes head through car window]
  • March 27, 2007
    The best portrayal of college football out there. We show this at my camp every year to show kids what the experience is really like. Shows both the good and the bad of big time football programs.
  • March 24, 2007
    Great Cast and an entertaining story....its a shame that in every version they have cut out the part where the players lay down on the highway lines between cars. "Kane is able!"
  • February 21, 2007
    i love this movie one of the best. my favorite is the big linebacker "hey i know you your the guy who got my baby sister pregnant." he is hilarious because he cusses everyone out on the other team lol a must see
  • February 20, 2007
    ONE OF THE BEST SCENES IN THE MOVIE IS CUT OUT. JOE KANE HAD 4-5 OF THE GUYS LAY IN THE MIDDLE OF STREET WHILE TRAFFIC WAS COMING. DOWN THE STREET. GREAT SCENE! IT WAS DELETED FROM THE MOVIE BECAUSE SOME KIDS WENT AND DID THE SAME THING AND DIED. IT'S UNFORTUNATE BUT GOOD MOVIE.
  • November 8, 2006
    Good look into the life and times of a big time college football program and the things the team and coaches have to deal with on and off the field.

Critic Reviews


Chris Hicks
January 1, 2000
Chris Hicks, Deseret News, Salt Lake City

The Program is largely a compendium of football grievances mixed with soap opera high jinks. Full Review

Brian Lowry
March 26, 2009
Brian Lowry, Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Janet Maslin
August 30, 2004
Janet Maslin, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

Click to read the article Full Review

Norman Chad
January 1, 2000
Norman Chad, Washington Post

Click to read the article Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Hal Hinson
January 1, 2000
Hal Hinson, Washington Post

Click to read the article Full Review

September 24, 1993
Entertainment Weekly

Click to read the article Full Review

Chuck O'Leary
October 9, 2005
Chuck O'Leary, Fantastica Daily

No review available.

Emanuel Levy
July 25, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

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The Program : Watch Free on TV


The Program Trivia


  • In Ice Princess what program does Casey decide on ?   Answer »
  • Seconds after Earth is destroyed to make way for an express route, Arthur Dent is taken into space by an alien. Companion travellers include: president of the Galaxy, earth girl, and a paranoid android. Name the movie, which has been a British produced TV program for many years.   Answer »
  • In the movie "The Program," who starts to break car windows with his head upon learning he has a "place at the table" on the first string defense?  Answer »
  • what quote is this program from? "Hello, have you tryed turning it on and off again..."  Answer »

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