In this Disney family comedy a group of awkward, small-town misfits, inspired by an understanding new teacher, transform themselves into a championship soccer team. Elma, Texas seems like a boring place -- that is until it's transformed into a hotbed of soccer rivalry! When British teacher Anna Montgomery (Olivia D'Abo) decides to inspire her students by creating a soccer team, she recruits the past-his-prime sheriff Tom Palmer (Steve Guttenberg). Once he begins coaching the team, Sheriff Palmers seizes the opportunity to finally beat his archenemy, who has become the coach of the more sophisticated team, the Knights. Will the kids find a purpose in sports, and will Sheriff Palmer learn about victory?
When Englishwoman Anna Montgomery arrives in a small Texas town to teach school, she finds a group of surly, uninspired students with no self-confidence. So she decides to form a soccer team in hopes that the competition and discipline of sports will help these misfit kids to gain some self-esteem. She is assisted in her efforts by Tom Palmer, the local sheriff who becomes Anna's assistant coach -- and then gets a serious crush on her.
They call their rag-tag team the Big Green, and at first, they don't do too well in the junior league. But by season's end they have improved enough to make it to the finals. They're up against some skillful, intimidating and downright mean opponents, however; worse yet, these antagonists are coached by Tom's high school rival! Can the Big Green buck the odds and win it all?
Released theatrically in the USA on September 29, 1995.
Produced by Caravan Pictures.
Shot on location in Austin, Texas.
Additional Cast: Gil Glasgow (Cookie Musgrove), Libby Villari (Brenda Neilson), John Bourg (Jay Huffer Jr.), Tyler Bishop (Knight #2), Casey Lee (Knight #3), Milt Oberman (Referee), Nik Hagler (Chief Bishop), Stephen Parr (Stadium Announcer) and Ernie the goat (himself).
Soundtrack available on cassette and compact disc from Walt Disney record.
Songs: "I Believe in You" (written by Richard Rudolph and Michael Sembello), "Sunny Side Up" (written by Richard Rudolph and Michael Sembello), "As Long as We Can Walk" (written by Richard Rudolph and Michael Sembello; performed by Jeff Paris and The Immigrants), "Fadeaway" (written by Sam Llanas and Kurt Neumann; performed by BoDeans), "Kickin' Balls" (written and performed by Alexi Lalas), "On the Road Again" and "Ramblin" (written and performed by Richard Mikuls).
Lenses and Panaflex cameras by Panavision; dailies by CFI; prints by Technicolor; produced and distributed on Eastman Film.
In Spectral Recording Dolby Stereo Digital sound.
DVD Features:
Region 1
Distributor Notes: The Big Green
The biggest game in the world comes to the smallest town in America in this action-packed comedy about a group of bored misfits who become local soccer heroes. A winning family film from the people who brought you ANGELS IN THE OUTFIELD, THE BIG GREEN will elicit big grins from the whole family! Nothing ever happens in Elma, Texas ... at least not until British schoolteacher Anna Montgomery (Olivia d'Abo of THE WONDER YEARS) arrives. Determined to motivate her students, Anna decides to form a soccer team. She enlists the aid of out-of-shape sheriff Tom Palmer (Steve Guttenberg, THREE MEN AND A BABY), who agrees to coach the team so he can beat his old nemesis, the ruthless coach of the big city bullies, the Knights. THE BIG GREEN scores with parents as well as with kids, who learn the importance of being a team player ... and a good sport!
Source: Buena Vista Home Entertainment.
Writer
Holly Goldberg Sloan: Screenwriter
Director of Photography
Ralf D. Bode: German- American DOP
Review 1:
"...[D'Abo gives] a chipper performance..."
Source: USA Today
p.9D 09/29/1995
Review 2:
"...d'Abo displays an appealingly fresh charm..."
Source: Variety
10/02/1995
Review 3:
"...The kids are an endearing group..."
Source: Los Angeles Times
p.F4 09/29/1995
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