American football coaching legend 'Bear' Bryant arrives in Texas to coach the Texan A & M's.

His coaching style is brutal but successful.

With little back story or information about Bryant offered it seems difficult to understand his importance or success without prior knowledge.

The film begins in present day 1979 but most of the story is played out on a makeshift training ground in the Texan desert in 1953, where Bryant displays his utterly barbaric approach to training and discipline.

Although the decision to script this film as a nostalgic reunion looking back at Bryant's time as coach at the 'Aggies' didn't really suit the depth or potential of the material, the film is effective and poignant in parts, if a little melodramatic in others.

The performances are all strong and the comradery of the boys convincing, making this a powerful, above average, if not strictly factual story.

Gus Crotty