The Rocket an intense ride through Richard's life
Originally published April 25, 2006.
By RENATO GANDIA
Today staff
For hockey enthusiasts in Montreal and across Canada, March 13, 1955, is a date to remember.
In a game between the Boston Bruins and the Montreal Canadiens, star Canadiens player Maurice (Rocket) Richard broke his stick over the head of Boston Bruin Hal Laycoe. A fight ensued, during which Richard punched a linesman, Cliff Thompson. Eventually Richard was suspended from the remaining three games of the season and the playoffs.
Montreal fans took to the streets and rioted.
The Rocket is a film that explains what the riot meant, what Richard meant and what Quebec meant to Canada.
Richard, played by Roy Dupuis, who assumed the role in two other movies for television, was the essence of Canadian hockey in its golden age. The 5-foot-10, 170-pound Richard had eyes that were as black as coal, that blinding speed, that devastating shot, that nasty streak, that passion to vanquish every opponent.
He was known for his end-to-end charges to the net, earning him his famous nickname.
Dupuis displayed an intense performance that evokes the passions of the dark-eyed, indomitable, but uncommunicative hockey player.
With the playoffs going on right now, this film is for every Canadian, hockey fans or not, to see.
It gives a perspective on what passion for the sport meant back more than half a century ago.
The film depicteds how badly players were treated, including Richard, and how athletes had to work during the off-season to make ends meet.
The movie is about Canada's favourite sport, hockey, but it's about more than that.
Screenwriter Ken Scott, (director of Seducing Doctor Lewis and Seraphin: Heart of Stone) underscored some political colouring to the film with the use of a talkative barber, who acted as the agent of exposition.
"We haven't fought in a long time, we've forgotten how to win," the barber told Richard on the eve of the riots.
The barber, who admits he doesn't know anything, is the opposite of Richard's reticence.
He represented the grassroots Quebecers, whose chance at effecting change was by serving as Richard's conscience, a symbol of change and invincibility.
Julie Le Breton plays Lucille, Richard's wife, and Stephen McHattie plays Montreal coach Dick Irvin. The film was directed by Charles Biname.
Starring: Roy Dupuis, Stephen McHattie
Rating: PG
*** (out of four)
© Copyright 2006, Fort McMurray Today.
By RENATO GANDIA
Today staff
For hockey enthusiasts in Montreal and across Canada, March 13, 1955, is a date to remember.
In a game between the Boston Bruins and the Montreal Canadiens, star Canadiens player Maurice (Rocket) Richard broke his stick over the head of Boston Bruin Hal Laycoe. A fight ensued, during which Richard punched a linesman, Cliff Thompson. Eventually Richard was suspended from the remaining three games of the season and the playoffs.
Montreal fans took to the streets and rioted.
The Rocket is a film that explains what the riot meant, what Richard meant and what Quebec meant to Canada.
Richard, played by Roy Dupuis, who assumed the role in two other movies for television, was the essence of Canadian hockey in its golden age. The 5-foot-10, 170-pound Richard had eyes that were as black as coal, that blinding speed, that devastating shot, that nasty streak, that passion to vanquish every opponent.
He was known for his end-to-end charges to the net, earning him his famous nickname.
Dupuis displayed an intense performance that evokes the passions of the dark-eyed, indomitable, but uncommunicative hockey player.
With the playoffs going on right now, this film is for every Canadian, hockey fans or not, to see.
It gives a perspective on what passion for the sport meant back more than half a century ago.
The film depicteds how badly players were treated, including Richard, and how athletes had to work during the off-season to make ends meet.
The movie is about Canada's favourite sport, hockey, but it's about more than that.
Screenwriter Ken Scott, (director of Seducing Doctor Lewis and Seraphin: Heart of Stone) underscored some political colouring to the film with the use of a talkative barber, who acted as the agent of exposition.
"We haven't fought in a long time, we've forgotten how to win," the barber told Richard on the eve of the riots.
The barber, who admits he doesn't know anything, is the opposite of Richard's reticence.
He represented the grassroots Quebecers, whose chance at effecting change was by serving as Richard's conscience, a symbol of change and invincibility.
Julie Le Breton plays Lucille, Richard's wife, and Stephen McHattie plays Montreal coach Dick Irvin. The film was directed by Charles Biname.
Starring: Roy Dupuis, Stephen McHattie
Rating: PG
*** (out of four)
© Copyright 2006, Fort McMurray Today.
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