A Triumph of the Heart: The Ricky Bell Story (1991 TV Movie) User Reviews

awesome movie and found a copy finally after 10 years

[newhome34689 · 8/10 · 16 February 2014]

I was so into this I went online and found someone who has this movie.

go to a website called Bucstop and search for the movie there! And I found it! The best part is the end on the hospital bed. So sad but so good!

Ricky Bell was drafted the no.1 pick in 1977 in a highly debated move ahead of Tony Dorsett. John McKay coach of the Bucs drafted Bell over Dorsett because he was familiar with him.

Of course hindsight is 20/20. Bell would have been an all pro behind that Dallas Line and Dorsett would have struggled in '77 and 78 too with the lack of a good line. But by 1979 the Bucs had a good sized line and dominated the line of scrimmage.

But by 1980 and 81 Bells injuries took longer to heal. The football action in this movie was filmed at Tampa Stadium for the Bucs/Vikings game 1990 season. If you look close you'll see Vinny Testeverde hand the ball off not the NO.12 they had in the film who played Doug Williams! Which was incorrect because in 1981 that Bucs/Vikes game was a night game!

Enjoy!

A true classic

[graciegirl_22 · 10/10 · 25 April 2004]

My family watched this movie on tv years ago, and actually taped it on our VCR. We would all watch this film ever so often, and would all end up in tears with boxes of tissues used by the end. We somehow lost the tape over the years, but still always talk about it. It was a film that was so touching, I haven't seen a film that compares to it in all these years since it came out. I actually have a son now, and his name is Rhyan. I never thought about it until one day my family was sitting around talking about Ricky Bell, that I realized my son's name is the same name as the boy in the movie. The part when Ricky is laying in the hospital bed brings me to tears every time, such good acting in this movie. I give it a perfect 10, a definate classic.

An unseen classic.

[Muttley91 · 10/10 · 11 March 2005]

A truly inspirational film and an example to us all. I was recently incapacitated with an evil toe and this simple story of love and respect between too unlikely friends gave me hope for the bad times in which I faced. If only our respected World leaders could see this movie the world would be a much more torrent place. The relationship between the 2 protagonists started out awkward at first, and the performances of both Mario Van Peebles As Ricky Bell and the spastic kid as Ryan were subtle and touching, I really did believe that this kid was a feeble idiot. But his performance developed from and total idiot to a honed athlete and when he gained the respect of his father after being inspired by Bell it brought a tear to my eye An unseen classic

Please Put this Movie On DVD or on Television again

[meren · 10/10 · 2 August 2008]

This Movie Belongs on ESPN Classic, BET, TV One, they show Something for Joey, Brians Song, The Hank Gathers Story periodically but this movie never saw the light of day again it seems. I remember watching it. I have an NFL Greatest moments on Tape about Ricky Bell he would probably have been a hall of Famer just like Bo Jackson probably would be if their careers had not have been cut short. He used to run in combat boots in the Deep Sand for a workout. The Three Best Running backs in Tampa Bay Buccaneers history are Ricky Bell, James Wilder, and Warrick Dunn. Offensively Bell pretty much single handedly along with Jerry Eckwood, Doug Williams and Jimmie Giles led the 79 Bucs to the NFC Title game along with that Tremendous Defense they had.

Available on Netflix

[Loriangans-233-975872 · 10/10 · 14 April 2017]

Wonderful film - such pure love friendship. Reminds us of what is really important. It's easy to lose track of what's important in life and sometimes it's good to be reminded. Pretty wonderful when the tables turn and Ricky is asking for (and getting) advice from Ryan. Really good news is that it's available streaming on Netflix.

My Favorite Van Peebles Role

[view_and_review · 9/10 · 27 February 2020]

Let me wring out my handkerchief. Scratch that, let me wring out my bath towel because I could probably flood the house with my tears. This is by far my favorite Van Peebles role.

The Ricky Bell Story is amazing, heartwarming, precious, and sad. Ricky Bell, played by Mario Van Peebles, was an awesome running back out of USC. He was their stud right before Charles White and Marcus Allen. He got drafted by the Tampa Bay Bucs, had a couple of good seasons and went into a serious decline. Before his decline in Tampa Bay he befriended a handicapped boy named Ryan Blankenship, played by Lane Davis. It was a wonderful love filled relationship in which Ricky played the big brother most people wish they had. Ricky took to Lane and had the patience of Job dealing with him.

Eventually, Ricky was stricken with a muscular disease that significantly shortened his career and his life. Ricky died at the very young age of 29. It is sad to see any decent person die in the prime of their life, and it's even sadder when that person is as incredible as Ricky Bell was.

Watch It.

[Avery-WanSacritic · 9/10 · 15 May 2020]

I found this movie to be inspirational and a feel-good film. It is that simple. I recommend watching it if you know where to obtain it (I came across it on Netflix). This movie has happy, sad, and funny segments, but most importantly, it gives you good morals to leave with. A story of perseverance and overcoming problems. On a side note, I enjoyed the technique of integrating real-game footage into the scenes as if it was all filmed for the movie. Forewarning though, the movie does contain some bad language and one particular scene has a couple lying in a bathtub together (nothing explicit is shown). Other than that, I completely enjoyed the movie.