Product Description

The Pistol is the uplifting story of a scrawny eight grade boy whose stunning basketball skills earn him a spot on the high school team.  Unfortunately for young Pete Maravich (Adam Guier), his style of "showtime" basketball is way ahead of its time, making him the target of ridicule  and socially separates him from his teammates.  Against all odds, Pete perseveres with he constant encouragement of his mentor and father, Press Maravich (Days of Our Lives) and the love of his mother Helen (Academy Award Nominee Millie Perkins).  The legend of college basketball's greatest scorer begins in the heart of a thirteen year old dreamer who soon becomes known to the work as THE PISTOL.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #8096 in DVD
• Brand: PISTOL, THE (DVD MOVIE)
• Released on: 2008-11-04
• Rating: G (General Audience)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Color, DVD, NTSC, Special Edition
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: 5.00 pounds
• Running time: 104 minutes

Customer Reviews

Very Inspirational/Motivational Film
"The Pistol: The Birth of a Legend" (1990) is a very inspirational film. When I was a child, my parents purchased the film on VHS. I thought the film was moderately interesting yet nothing spectacular.

Now that I am an adult, I see the film differently. Certainly, there are many scenes were people simply talk with one another - the amount of basketball played might take up 20 minutes of the film. However, the theme of the film is about following your dreams (and yes, certainly there are many other films with this same theme). Yet, "The Pistol" is persuasive to me because Pete Maravich actually WAS able to fulfill his dream "of becoming the greatest college basketball player ever." It is not a fictional story created to make people feel good about themselves. Maravich is still the all-time leading NCAA Division I scorer with 3,667 points scored and an average of 44.2 points per game. (Note: Maravich accomplished this without the benefit of a three-point line and despite the fact that NCAA rules prohibited him from playing on the varsity team as a freshman.)

But enough with the statistics - the point is that many people did not believe that someone as small in stature as Pete Maravich was in junior high (as least as was portrayed in the film) could become a great basketball player. Yet, as the film shows in many scenes, Pete desired to fulfill his dream - it became his life. Pete's father (a college basketball coach) inspired and encouraged him, yet it was Pete who gave his countless hours to perfect his skills.

In short, "The Pistol" is the type of film I want to give to skeptics who believe that "ability" alone is what determines how successful a person can become in any area of life. I recommend the film.

As Good as it gets !
I not only watched him in college, but followed his greatness into the pros and thought "What if" he were able to play with the rules of today ?

He was SO past his prime when he finally got to a good team that many did not get to know how unbelievable his talent was...

And a truly "Good Guy" that inspired a lot of people.

That in inself is enough for me to order this movie even though I've seen it 5 times already ! I want my kids and grandkids to appreciate this....

And wonder what ever happened to Boots Garland... ran track with him as coach in High School.... Fun loving GOOD teacher as well...

Great Family Movie
This Movie is a great movie for children and adults both. This movie could easily spark a love for the game of basketball in a child's heart. Classic Movie and a very good story.