Miracle (2004)

Last updated:
November 2, 2025

Miracle (2004) is a sports drama directed by Gavin O’Connor, chronicling one of the most iconic moments in sports history: the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team’s improbable victory over the seemingly invincible Soviet Union. It’s a film about belief, teamwork, and national pride, told through the lens of a coach who dared to defy the odds.

Table of Contents

Detailed Summary

The Setting: Cold War on Ice

The film takes place in the tense backdrop of the Cold War, when the Soviet Union dominated international hockey. The U.S. team, composed mostly of amateur college players, was considered a long shot at best. This underdog status sets the emotional foundation for the story.

Enter Herb Brooks

Herb Brooks (Kurt Russell) is appointed as head coach of the U.S. Olympic hockey team. Determined to build a team that can beat the Soviets, Brooks challenges the conventions of American hockey. He emphasizes conditioning, mental toughness, and teamwork over individual stardom.

His unorthodox methods—like making players skate until exhaustion while shouting, “Again!”—earn him a reputation as a tough, almost tyrannical leader. Yet, his true goal is to forge a cohesive unit that can match the Soviets not just in skill, but in spirit.

Building the Team

The players initially clash, both with each other and with Brooks. Rivalries between college teams spill over into the locker room, and Brooks’ intense approach alienates many. But slowly, the players begin to understand his vision. He’s not just training them to play hockey; he’s preparing them to represent something bigger—the resilience and unity of America itself.

The Road to Lake Placid

Through a series of exhibition games, the team starts to gel. They face the Soviets in a pre-Olympic match and are utterly destroyed, losing 10–3. The crushing defeat becomes a pivotal moment. Instead of breaking, the team learns from it, steeling themselves for the upcoming Olympic Games in Lake Placid, New York.

The Olympic Games Begin

As the Olympics progress, the U.S. team surprises everyone by defeating several strong opponents, including Czechoslovakia and West Germany. The tension mounts as the inevitable showdown with the Soviets approaches. The film expertly builds the suspense, intercutting real-life news footage and crowd reactions that capture the national anticipation.

Movie Ending (Full Spoilers)

The climax of Miracle is one of the most electrifying sequences in sports movie history—the semifinal match between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, often referred to as the “Miracle on Ice.”

The game is depicted almost in real time, with director Gavin O’Connor using minimal music to let the natural sounds of the ice, sticks, and crowd dominate. The Soviets take an early lead, but the Americans, buoyed by Herb Brooks’ belief in them, refuse to back down.

Key moments:

Goalkeeper Jim Craig makes a series of unbelievable saves, symbolizing the team’s determination.
Mike Eruzione, the team captain, scores the go-ahead goal, putting the U.S. up 4–3.
The final seconds tick down as Al Michaels’ legendary call echoes: “Do you believe in miracles? Yes!”

When the buzzer sounds, the players throw their gloves in the air, hugging each other in disbelief. Herb Brooks, overwhelmed, walks alone down the tunnel and finally allows himself to cry—an emotional payoff to his relentless journey.

The U.S. would go on to defeat Finland in the gold medal game, securing their place in history. The closing captions reveal that many of the players went on to successful lives, but none ever forgot that winter in 1980.

It’s an ending that doesn’t just celebrate victory—it celebrates perseverance, unity, and faith in the impossible.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, Miracle does not have any post-credits scenes. The film concludes with real archival footage of the 1980 U.S. hockey team, including the real Herb Brooks, who tragically died in a car accident before the film’s release. The movie is dedicated to him with the message: “He never saw it. He lived it.”

Type of Movie

Miracle is a sports drama and biographical film rooted in true events. It combines patriotic themes, underdog storytelling, and emotional realism.

Cast

Kurt Russell as Herb Brooks
Patricia Clarkson as Patti Brooks
Noah Emmerich as Assistant Coach Craig Patrick
Eddie Cahill as Jim Craig
Patrick O’Brien Demsey as Mike Eruzione
Michael Mantenuto as Jack O’Callahan

Film Music and Composer

The score was composed by Mark Isham, who brings a balance of subtle emotional cues and swelling orchestral moments to amplify the drama. The soundtrack also includes period-accurate rock tracks that ground the story in its late-1970s setting.

Filming Locations

Filming took place primarily in Vancouver, British Columbia, and at the PNE Agrodome and Pacific Coliseum, which doubled for the Olympic venues in Lake Placid. The snowy, authentic locations added realism, while the hockey scenes were shot using innovative camera rigs to simulate the speed and intensity of real games.

Awards and Nominations

While Miracle didn’t sweep major awards, it received widespread acclaim from critics and audiences alike. It earned several sports and television awards for its authenticity and Kurt Russell’s performance, including recognition from the ESPY Awards and American Film Institute as one of the best sports movies of the decade.

Behind the Scenes Insights

Most of the actors cast as hockey players were actual hockey players, not professional actors, to ensure realistic on-ice performance.
Kurt Russell spent months studying Herb Brooks’ speech patterns and mannerisms; his portrayal was praised by Brooks’ family for its accuracy.
The final game sequence took over six weeks to shoot, with real-time play sequences choreographed down to every second.
Director Gavin O’Connor insisted on using minimal CGI, preferring real skating and authentic camera movements.

Inspirations and References

The movie is inspired by the true story of the 1980 U.S. men’s Olympic hockey team, often regarded as one of the greatest upsets in sports history. The screenplay, written by Eric Guggenheim, draws heavily from real interviews, news archives, and Brooks’ actual locker room speeches.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

There are no confirmed alternate endings, but deleted scenes include:

A longer training montage featuring Herb’s motivational talks.
An extended family scene showing the personal sacrifices the players made to chase their Olympic dreams.
These were cut for pacing and tone, as the final version focused on the collective rather than the personal.

Book Adaptations and Differences

The film was loosely inspired by the book The Boys of Winter by Wayne Coffey, which offers a more detailed, journalistic account of the events. The book focuses more on the political and emotional context, while the movie simplifies some aspects to emphasize the emotional arc and cinematic drama.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

The “Again!” skating scene, where Brooks punishes his players until they shout their team name: “Who do you play for?” “The United States of America!”
Herb’s pre-game locker room speech: “Great moments are born from great opportunity.”
The final seconds of the Soviet game with Al Michaels’ voiceover.

Iconic Quotes

Herb Brooks: “This is your time. Now go out there and take it.”
Herb Brooks: “I’m not looking for the best players, Craig. I’m looking for the right ones.”
Al Michaels (broadcaster): “Do you believe in miracles? Yes!”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

The real Herb Brooks appears briefly in crowd footage during the closing moments (digitally inserted).
Each player’s jersey includes subtle stitching that matches their real-life counterparts’ original gear.
The film uses actual commentary recordings from the 1980 games for authenticity.

Trivia

Kurt Russell’s pre-game locker room speech was filmed in a single take.
The “Again!” practice scene caused real exhaustion; actors were genuinely skating until collapse.
The real Jim Craig visited the set multiple times to ensure accuracy.
Herb Brooks died in a car crash just before the movie’s premiere in 2003.

Why Watch?

Because Miracle isn’t just a sports movie—it’s about unity, resilience, and the power of belief. It captures a moment when an underdog team inspired an entire nation. Even if you don’t know a thing about hockey, the film’s emotional punch and Kurt Russell’s powerhouse performance make it unforgettable.

Miracle (2004)