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Pride
One-sheet theatrical poster for Pride
Directed by	Sunu Gonera
Produced by	Brett Forbes Paul Hall Patrick Rizzotti Adam Rosenfelt John Sacchi
Written by	Kevin Michael Smith Michael Gozzard J. Mills Goodloe Kevin Michael Smith
Starring	Terrence Howard Bernie Mac Kimberly Elise
Music by	Aaron Zigman
Distributed by	Lionsgate Entertainment
Release date(s)	March 23, 2007
Running time	104 min
Language	English
Gross revenue	$7,057,600
Official website
IMDb profile

Pride is a drama film released by Lionsgate Entertainment on March 23, 2007 (see 2007 in film). Loosely based upon the true story of Philadelphia swim coach James "Jim" Ellis, Pride stars Terrence Howard, Bernie Mac, and Kimberly Elise, and was directed by Sunu Gonera.

Pride was groundbreaking as a film because it depicted African-Americans succeeding in a sport - swimming - that is still largely dominated by whites. This differed from most other African-American films with sport themes as they usually feature sports where African-Americans have progressed into the mainstream, such as basketball (e.g. Coach Carter) and football (e.g. Gridiron Gang, Remember the Titans). Pride differed from this theme by bringing attention to the often overlooked world of African-American swimmers.

It is 1974 and it’s still not easy for an African-American male, even a college-educated one like Jim Ellis (Terrence Howard), to find employment. Struggling to find anything better, Jim, a former competitive swimmer, accepts the job of dismantling a dilapidated public swimming pool operated by the Philadelphia Department of Recreation. This immediately causes some friction between him and a bitter, protective janitor named Elston (Bernie Mac) who works there. One day, Jim sees a group of troubled black teens who have just been thrown off the basketball court and invites them for a swim. Andre (Kevin Phillips), Hakim (Nate Parker), Reggie (Evan Ross), Puddin’ Head (Brandon Fobbs), and Walt (Alphonso McAuley) prove to be fairly capable swimmers and with a few pointers, could become great swimmers. With some help from Elston, Jim decides to try and save the public swimming pool by starting the city’s first all African-American swim team. When the team also acquires Willie (Regine Nehy), a female swimmer more gifted than any of the guys, the prospects of competing against much more experienced rival teams begin to seem more positive. Throughout their struggles, in or out of the swimming pool, Jim embraces and mentors the kids, hoping to help them become successful at swimming and in all aspects of their lives.

• Terrence Howard as Jim Ellis
• Bernie Mac as Elston
• Kimberly Elise as Sue Davis
• Evan Ross as Reggie
• Tom Arnold as The Bink
• Alphonso McAuley as Walt
• Regine Nehy as Willie
• Scott Reeves as Jake
• Nate Parker as Hakim
• Kevin L. Phillips as Andre
• Gary Sturgis as Franklin
• Brandon Fobbs as Puddin Head

Pride was met with mixed reviews, with a 46% freshness rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Some critics criticized the use of the word nigger in the film's opening scene where Jim is confronted by a racist predominantly white college that object to his presence in the water of their pool and refuses to swim with him because they say he is dirty.[1] The film also has a visibly upsetting scene where Jim is pinned to the floor under the boot of a white policeman. Although these words and images may be difficult for some viewers (explaining the film's PG rather than G rating), they were included with the intent to illustrate the severity of the racism faced by young black swimmers growing up in the segregated 1960s.

Users seemed to enjoy the film more, with a 70% rating.

• The film is notable for its inclusion of many up and coming actors who are the children of established celebrities from the previous generation. Evan Ross, who plays one of the athletes, is the son of the famous musical pioneer Diana Ross. Scott Reeves is the son of white actor Clint Eastwood.

• The real Jim Ellis makes a cameo in the film as the city worker who takes the basketball rim down.

• Pride at the Internet Movie Database
• Official Pride Website
• Pride at Rotten Tomatoes