Maurice Richard

In one of the comments on the film, the writer asks why there's no mention of Henri Richard, the "Pocket Rocket." The film really takes us up to it's climax, the Richard Riot, and Henri, fifteen years younger than Maurice, was starring with the Junior Canadians. Although he came up to play with his brother in the last years of Maurice's career, Henri was not on the team for the period covered by this film. The line of Henri at centre, Dickie Moore on left wing, and Maurice on right wing was called by the Rocket's great rival, Gordie Howe, the best line he ever played against. In a sense the movie stops at the point when Richard was the most popular player in Québec, that is before he became the greatest star in the rest of Canada too. When he received the Stanley Cup in Toronto after the Canadians swept the Leafs in four games straight to win their fifth championship in a row, everybody sensed it could be his last game, and he received a standing ovation in Maple Leaf Gardens, a rare honour for any visiting player, especially when he'd been throughout his career the Leafs' greatest rival. The film beautifully evokes the period when players were ordinary guys working for a living. The clothing and lighting are magnificent in capturing the feel of the forties and fifties, and the hockey sequences are amazing in that, having seen the Rocket play so many times, I lost sight that it was Roy Dupuis, not the Rocket, on the screen. And the sequence in which he kayos Bob Dill (Sean Avery in a piece of type casting if there ever was one!) is a dandy. That happened in New York and the Daily News, the tabloid famous for its great headlines, featured a full-page image of the Rocket standing over his fallen rival with a huge headline, "DILL PICKLED". I wish they'd put that in the film. Richard had a unique skating style and was unusual in those days because there were few left-hand shots playing right wing. And they were able to recreate one of the greatest goals in detail when the Rocket, after being knocked out by Boston's Leo Labine in the play-offs, returned in overtime and went end to end to score the winning goal against "Sugar Jim" Henry. Dupuis and the film magicians capture Richard's swooping, darting style beautifully. Richard may not have been the best player who ever played, but he was the greatest star the game will ever see. See this film and you'll be as close to seeing the real Rocket as it's possible to be.

There are many great sports films and The Rocket belongs among the best of the best. If you liked Cinderella Man i would hazard to say that you might like The Rocket even more, especially hockey fans. I, myself am a fan of the Montreal Canadians and took two friends who were not and they both said that it was a great, great movie.

I went into the theatre with modest expectations, as it was a Canadian made film without a huge budget and yet when i left i felt like i had to wipe the grime from the factory that the rocket worked off of my clothes. I have no doubt that this film will be nominated for best foreign film at the Oscars next year, you don't need to know who the rocket is to really enjoy this film.

Bravo!

This was an excellent movie. It will definitely be collecting quite a few rewards. If you're a hockey fan, you'll love it. If you're a movie fan, you should see it. If you're a Canadian, this is your history on film. I'm tired of constantly hearing people grumble about the state of Canadian cinema ("not enough money blah blah blah"). Well this is a great Canadian movie that stands up, so go see it and support it. This is one of those great films everyone's been saying they wanted.. It's about one of the greatest hockey players ever, and it's one of the greatest hockey movies ever. There is a lot of history in this film and it looks gorgeous. Roy Dupuis is excellent. One thing I did wonder, however, is why there is nothing about Henri Richard in it.

This movie is a real success. Maurice Richard was one of the best and fearless hockey player that ever was, he never gave-up. The people that worked on this movie really did a great job. All the locations where very well re-created especially the Montréal Forum. The actor who played Toe Blake was excellent and Roy Dupuis did a great job (he really does look like Maurice Richard). The hockey scenes where very well done, you feel like your on the ice. The attention to details is impressive it really looks like the fifties. Many actual hockey players ad a little part in this movie (like Mike Ricci) and did well. Richard worked hard to get to the NHL, he worked in a day factory and in the evening played hockey even if he was extremely tired. A must see movie for all the hockey fans.

Well done! The Rocket was a true inspiration to many and an icon in Canadian history. The NHL and Canada has changed in many ways since his playing days. This film biography inspires us to relive the past and to press forward in our own lives everyday. With a heart as large as the whole province of Quebec his courage was his most valuable asset. His passion to succeed was undeniable. The more popular he became through hockey the greater a threat he posed on the others that couldn't control him or french minorities. Yet, the legend was also a gentleman, a father and a role model for anyone who was fortunate to be in his presence. The film expresses all of this beautifully with an original feel and amazing on ice reenactments of famous games. Thanks for the film and thank you Mr. Richard.