12 Mighty Orphans (2021)
Coming Out at June 11, 2021 on New York & Texas and June 18 on Tribeca Film Festival
History, Sport
The film tells the true story of the Mighty Mites, the football team of a Fort Worth orphanage who, during the Great Depression, went from playing without shoes—or even a football—to playing for the Texas state championships. Over the course of their winning season these underdogs and their resilient spirit became an inspiration to their city, state, and an entire nation in need of a rebound, even catching the attention of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
The architect of their success was Rusty Russell, a legendary high school coach who shocked his colleagues by giving up a privileged position so he could teach and coach at an orphanage. Few knew Rusty’s secret: that he himself was an orphan. Recognizing that his scrawny players couldn’t beat the other teams with brawn, Rusty developed innovative strategies that would come to define modern football.
Director: Ty Roberts
Writer: Jim Dent (novel), Lane Garrison, Kevin Meyer, Ty Roberts
Stars: Luke Wilson, Robert Duvall, Vinessa Shaw, Martin Sheen, Wayne Knight, Jake Austin Walker, Zach Rose
►Cast
| Robert Duvall | ► | Mason Hawk |
| Vinessa Shaw | ► | Juanita Russell |
| Martin Sheen | ► | Doc Hall |
| Wayne Knight | ► | Frank Wynn |
| Luke Wilson | ► | Rusty Russell |
| Zach Rose | ► | Pinkney Russell |
| Treat Williams | ► | Amon Carter |
| Lane Garrison | ► | Luther |
| Carlson Young | ► | Annie |
| Lucy Faust | ► | Wanda |
| Jacob Lofland | ► | Snoggs |
| Kelly Frye | ► | Mary Jane |
| Scott Haze | ► | Rodney Kidd |
| Larry Pine | ► | President Roosevelt |
| Natasha Bassett | ► | Opal |
| Heath Freeman | ► | Coach Cox |
| Ron White | ► | Sheriff Red Wright |
| Jake Austin Walker | ► | Hardy Brown |
| Christina Gonzalez | ► | Football Fan |
| Erica Muse | ► | PHS Cheerleader |
| Ben Hicks | ► | UIL Supporter |
| Tyler Silva | ► | A. P. Torres |
| Gavin Warren | ► | Young Rusty |
| Slade Monroe | ► | Wheatie |
| Gregory Fountain | ► | Press Box Reporter |
| Sampley Barinaga | ► | Chicken |
| Levi Dylan | ► | Fairbanks |
| Rooster McConaughey | ► | Pop Boone |
| Brian Lafontaine | ► | Referee 2 |
| Violeta Ortega | ► | Cheerleader |
| Carlton Caudle | ► | Referee (Championship Game) |
| King Orba | ► | Mr. Remmert |
| Bailey Roberts | ► | Miller |
| Woodrow Luttrell | ► | Leon Pickett |
| David McReynolds | ► | Orphanage Orderly |
| Manuel Tapia | ► | Carlos Torres |
| Dean Morgan | ► | Highland Park Fan |
| Braden Balazik | ► | Orphan |
| Jordyn Barrera | ► | Orphan |
| Michelle Rose Domb | ► | UIL Supporter |
| Josie Fink | ► | Betty Russell |
| Bryan Fernandez | ► | orphan |
| Angieguinn | ► | Football fan |
| John Lawton Brown | ► | Orphanage Staff Member |
| Jack Michael Doke | ► | Young George |
| Berkan Dincer | ► | Daniel |
| Kelly Dealyn | ► | Secretary |
| Lillie Fink | ► | Betty Russell |
| Robert Henry | ► | Highland Park Referee |
| Miguel Andrews | ► | Masonic Shriner – Trumpet Player |
| Lee Ellis | ► | Ref (Poly Game 2) |
| Gabby Clark | ► | Orphan |
| Terrie Cooklin | ► | UIL Supporter |
| Nicholas Reed | ► | Jersey Boy |
| Michael Gohlke | ► | Crazy |
| Johnnie Hogue | ► | Football Fan |
| Austin Robert Russell | ► | Maywood |
| John Louis | ► | Opposing Football Player |
| Charlie Hodges | ► | Fan |
| Danny Miller | ► | UIL Supporter |
| Dave Bass | ► | Townfolk / Football Fan |
| Lance De Los Santos | ► | UIL Coach |
| Breckyn Hager | ► | Greathouse |
| Jason Bremer | ► | Delivery Driver |
| Stan Taylor | ► | UIL Footbal Coach |
| Preston Porter | ► | DeWitt Coulter |
| Laura Griffin | ► | Mighty Mites fan / Poly Patriot fan / Amarillo Sandies fan |
| Jett Green | ► | Mary Jane Russell (older) |
| Barbara Shelley | ► | Football Mom |
| Jordyn Cantrell | ► | Jerry |
| James Broadwater | ► | Press Box Reporter |
| Scotty Sayers | ► | Highland Park Head Coach-Red Hume |
| Daniel B. Davis | ► | UIL Member |
| David Eaton | ► | District Attorney |
| Kristina Nichols-Friar | ► | Football Fan |
| Virginia Puga | ► | Orphanage Staff |
| Trent Tidmore | ► | Football Fan |
| Dillon Hinojosa | ► | Hal |
| Kevin Carter | ► | Reporter |
| Stephen Bouldin | ► | Highland Park High School Football Coach |