Das Wunder von Pittsburgh

I know there are some great films out there to pick a favorite from, but something about this little goofy 70's film seems to stay with me. I tell my friends to just enjoy the movie and not to expect too much. You have to remember, there's not a lot going on here, just basketball, astrology, and a root for the underdog, feel good storyline. We all know it was for Dr. J anyway. If nothing else, the music is truly old school rhythm, blues and soul. Anyone know where to find the actual soundtrack?

Not the greatest movie ever made and I love it. There is something easy, cheesy, and sweet about this mostly typical root-for-the-underdog story.

Watch the movie, with some friends if possible, and be willing and able to talk, laugh, eat, intake, and maybe dance along with it. perfect for a rainy weekend, college dorm, missed flight kinda day.

The Fish also makes for a good combo movie day with: carwash, caddyshack, badnews bears, and if you wanna see it like I did the first time, rent "Love at First Bite" and watch them back to back, now there's a freaky 70s time capsule.

I think this movie is fun and just a great exit into silliness with a simple heartwarming chunk of cheese. What also added to my enjoyment of the films is that I watched this movie first as a seven year old, in Brooklyn in the now non-existent Duffield theater, (or was it the Metropolitian, eh- they're both gone now anyway) and that the great Dr. J (who was Jordan, Kobe, and LeBron before such types existed) made his motion picture debut in it and was the closest thing to serious in the film. Which to me worked well because this flick needed a straight man and he was it.

I would say the film itself deserves credit for being a picture postcard of the late seventies, over blown with the not quite released 60s psychedelia that never really left through the 70s decade, and full of garish, tackiness, thats fun to watch and laugh at. Its a bonus if you are interested in the period or lived it and haven't seen how over the top Hollywood presented everything.

I haven't seen this movie in almost 2 decades. I saw it as a young adolescent growing up in Pennsylvania. Nonetheless its still one of my favorites. I can't tell ya why....its simply a story of magic and a boy who has smartz and more importantly a belief in others and all. I'll wait for the DVD to see it again....even if i have to wait a couple more decades.

I was also a teenage extra when this film was shooting. However, at 14 I was memorized by all the star fested personalities. I along with two other teens lucked up and got a speaking part that ran two days. My part is right after the scene where the Pisces win the game, Dr. J comes out of the arena, three female fans are waiting, and two ask for his autograph, I say I will settle for a kiss. How lame. Wow, And yes the director took many takes to choose from before the scene ended.

However, I remember having lunch on the set, I had choice between roast duck or swordfish, I choose the duck. That's when I meet Debbie Allen (Ola) who was very nice and helpful she had such a beautiful spirit about her. Jack Kehoe (Set shot) was also kind to me on the set. I say that because as a 14-year-old impressionable girl these two people showed sincere genuine kindness. Now, not all the people on the set were nice, so I want to acknowledge those that were, it meant so much to me at the time. I never will forget you or the director. I appreciated his vision, which went far past the movie. I believe by including the extras, he exposed young people to something that would have only remained a dream.

In addition, the scenery of our fair city shot both during the day and the night was just beautiful. Even now watching the movie, someone yell's that's our city bridge, or I've been on that basketball court. The city looked beautiful on the big screen.

YES, the movie was a FLOP but my experience was not! My kids still get a kick out of seeing their mom as a teenager on National TV.

Sam

The Pittsburgh Pythons is a bad professional basketball team. Moses Guthrie (Julius Erving) is the highly paid star. The team does not get along and some openly want to be traded. Ballboy Tyrone Millman turns to astrologer Mona Mondieu (Stockard Channing). H. S. And Harvey Tilson (Jonathan Winters) are fighting brothers battling over the team. The situation is dire and they have an open tryout.

The lead acting comes from Julius Erving and a kid. The kid is a kid. Dr. J never won an acting award to the surprise of nobody. The astrology premise is mildly humorous for a second. Then it's a lot of new age gibberish. Whatever. The idea is open to the Major League storyline, but the movie does not spend any time on the other players. There isn't anything here other than basketball. It's a lot of basketball and none of it matters. Honestly, I'm only watching this for Dr. J and now I've seen it. This is most interesting for actual players playing the games.