Make plans to have your swim team, swimmer friends and non-swimmer friends see this full length feature film about competitive swiming
Catch the trailer for the now released "Pride," a Lionsgate film starring Terrence Howard, Bernie Mac and Kimberly Elise, based on the true events surrounding USA Swimming coach Jim Ellis and the USA Swimming team, Philadelphia Department of Recreation (PDR.)
PDR and Jim Ellis have competed in PVS on many occasions. His team still holds the 15-16 year old PVS Men's Long Course Open Records for the 200 and 400 Medley Relays.
"The movie is set in 1973, when the college-educated Ellis converts an abandoned recreational pool hall in a Philadelphia slum with the help of a janitor. When city officials mark the new Philadelphia Department of Recreation for demolition, Ellis fights back by starting the city's first African-American swim team.
"His challenge is to turn a motley team of novices into capable swimmers who can compete in the state championships, all the while battling racism, violence and opposition from at least one city official.
"In addition to Howard, the movie counts Bernie Mac, Tom Arnold, Kimberly Elise and Scott Reeves, whose dad happens to be Clint Eastwood, among its cast. Smith calls it an "inspirational biopic," and Ellis has a fitting cameo."
Information from Pittsburgh Post Gazette