Friday Night Lights

Movie Release Date: October 8, 2004

Genre: Drama

Cast: Billy Bob Thornton, Derek Luke, Jay Hernandez, Lucas Black, Garrett Hedlund and Tim McGraw

From Oscar®-winning producer Brian Grazer and Imagine Entertainment and based on the best-selling book about high school football by H.G. Bissinger, Friday Night Lights chronicles the entire 1988 season of the Permian High Panthers of Odessa, Texas, with football players, coaches, mothers, fathers, pastors, boosters, fans and families struggling with ongoing personal conflicts while the team fights for a state championship.

In depicting the daily grind of coach Gary Gaines' (Billy Bob Thornton) winning team and the potential destinies of its individual players, the story paints a vivid portrait of Odessa (and places like it all across America) where, once a week during the fall, the town and its dreams come alive beneath the dazzling and disorienting Friday night lights...when the Panthers take to the field.

Friday Night Lights illuminates the hopes and dreams of Odessa's townsfolk, who ardently fill Ratliff Stadium's 20,000 seats every Friday night. For the young men of the team, every moment, every play is a chance to transcend their small town and the fleeting fulfillment of a gridiron stardom whose pinnacle may be reached by the time they turn 18.

Originally published in 1990, Bissinger's book went on to become a best-seller, has gone through several re-printings (currently in its 10th anniversary edition) and was named by Sports Illustrated as one of the greatest sports stories of all time.

The film is produced by Academy Award® winner Brian Grazer, directed by Peter Berg (The Rundown, Very Bad Things) and adapted from Bissinger's book by David Aaron Cohen (The Devil's Own) and Berg. The executive producers are James Whitaker and John Cameron.

Directed by: Peter Berg

Writers: David Aaron Cohen and Peter Berg

Based on the Book by: H.G. Bissinger

Produced by: Brian Grazer

The Book:

Friday Night Lights: A Town, a Team, and a Dream

Friday Night Lights VHS

VHS Price: $23.98 SRP Selection Numbers: 62775
Running Time 1 Hour and 58 Min.
Aspect Ratio: Full Frame
Rating: PG-13 (for thematic issues, sexual content, language, some teen
drinking and rough sports action)
Technical Info: Hi-Fi Stereo Surround

Friday Night Lights Audio CD Soundtrack

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2004 Entertainment Magazine

Friday Night Lights DVD

Wide Screen and Full Screen

Bonus Features
The Friday Night Lights DVD's line-up of powerful bonus features takes viewers into the action of the bone-crunching plays and into the unique world experienced by the real people who have lived the phenomenon of Friday night lights as part of their dreams. Extras include:

  • Player Cam -- Experience first hand the action that ensues when
    40 actor-athletes live together for six weeks on the field, in the
    locker room and even when they're off the clock exploring the great
    Texas plains.
  • Tim McGraw: Off the Stage -- From country music star to the silver
    screen, Tim McGraw will share his experience bringing this best
    selling novel to life.
  • Real Life, Real Games, Real People -- Through the eyes of the "Friday
    Night Lights" cast and crew and the real Permian players and fans,
    viewers will be treated to a scene witnessed by few: the real Friday
    night lights.
  • Never-before-seen action-packed Deleted Scenes
  • Commentary with Director Peter Berg and Writer Buzz Bissinger

TECHNICAL INFORMATION : DVD
Street Date: January 18, 2005
Pre-Order Date: December 14, 2004
Copyright: 2004 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Price: $29.98 SRP
Selection Numbers: 25476 (Anamorphic Widescreen); 25477 (Full Frame)
Running Time 1 Hour and 58 Minutes
Layers: Dual Layers
Aspect Ratio: Full Frame (1.33:1); Anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1)
Rating: PG-13 (for thematic issues, sexual content, language, some teen
drinking and rough sports action)
Technical Info: English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround/Captions; French Dolby
Digital 5.1 Surround/Subtitles; Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1
Surround/Subtitles
CAST & FILMMAKERS
Director: Peter Berg
Screenwriters: David Aaron Cohen, Peter Berg
Based on Book By: H.G. Bissinger
Producer: Brian Grazer
Executive Producers: James Whitaker, John Cameron
Director of Photography: Tobias Schlessler
Production Designer: Sharon Seymour
Editors: David Rosenbloom, Colby Parker Jr.
Costume Designer: Susan Matheson
Music Producer: Brian Reitzell
Cast: Billy Bob Thornton, Lucas Black, Garrett Hedlund, Derek Luke, Jay
Hernandez, Lee Jackson, Lee Thompson Young, Tim McGraw