THE PISTOL: THE PETE MARAVICH STORY

US, 1990, 100 minutes, Colour.
Adam Guier, Millie Perkins, Nick Benedict, Boots Garland.
Directed by Frank C. Schroeder.

The Pistol is an inspiring film. It is a kind of pep talk film, motivational both for sport as well as for life. Peter Maravich was a born-again Christian. A champion basketball player, he died suddenly at the age of forty from a heart attack.

The film was geared to Americans, especially the communities of born-again Christians. The DVD also has his faith testimonies.

1. A pep-talk of a film? Motivational film? For sport? For life?

2. The South Carolina setting, the 1950s, the comment that it was a safe and hopeful environment? Race relationships, sport and achievement?

3. The film as a true story, Pete Maravich's life, the retrospect with his father? The voice-over and his reflections on his life, dreams?

4. Pete and his relationship with his parents, his father as a coach, optimistic, urging him on, advice, pep-talks? His mother and her car, support of him in his games, at home, the dancing? Supportive parents? Their characters, the American style, the American dream and optimism?

5. The teacher, her getting the students to write on their dreams, her explanation of the American dream, 50s style? Pete and his own personal dreams, presenting them to the class, their laughing? His achievement?

6. The character of Pete, his age, experience, short height? At home, at school, feeling a misfit? His skills at basketball, his father training him, the particular techniques? The collages of his training, practising? His skill on the basketball court, the initial throw and hitting Buddy's nose and losing the game? The admiration of the crowds, the photographer and the article, the coach and his wariness? His coaching Moose and Moose's admiration? The scorer and his continued support? Sandy and her giving him encouragement?

7. The games, the play on the courts, the techniques, the manoeuvres? For basketball fans? For those who don't know basketball?

8. Press and his going to the coach, trying to persuade him to give his son a chance? The coach allowing him to go on after questioning him? The success and the season? Press and his taking the coach to see Cleveland High, the black players? Asking him to look into the future of 20 years' time? The challenge for playing the team? Pete and his wanting to play? Buddy, his antagonism towards Pete, humiliating him, violence with him? The issue of the game, Buddy confronting his father, confronting Pete, Pete's challenge, one-on-one? Pete winning, the other members of the team turning against Buddy? His change of heart while watching the game, Press's comment to him? His apology and his joining in? The final basket, losing the game - the achievement of Cleveland High, the applause and people calling out "Pistol"?

9. Pete and his personality, relating to people, the party, the dance, Sandy? The bet for the hour of spinning the ball on his finger? The grounding so that he would have a successful career and the details given in the postscript?

10. The audience for this kind of very positive, feelgood, motivational kind of film?