Mystery, Alaska facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mystery, Alaska
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Jay Roach
Produced by	David E. Kelley
Written by	David E. Kelley Sean O'Byrne
Starring	Russell Crowe Hank Azaria Mary McCormack Lolita Davidovich Ron Eldard Colm Meaney Maury Chaykin Burt Reynolds
Music by	Carter Burwell
Cinematography	Peter Deming
Editing by	Jon Poll
Studio	Hollywood Pictures
Distributed by	Buena Vista Pictures Distribution
Release date(s)	October 1, 1999 (1999-10-01)
Running time	119 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$28 million
Money made	$8.9 million

Mystery, Alaska is a 1999 American sports comedy-drama movie. It was directed by Jay Roach. The story is about a small, fictional town called Mystery in Alaska. The town's amateur ice hockey team gets a chance to play a special game against a real professional team, the National Hockey League's (NHL) New York Rangers.

The movie stars Russell Crowe, Hank Azaria, and Burt Reynolds. Other actors like Mary McCormack, Lolita Davidovich, and Ron Eldard also appear. The film was shot in Canmore, Alberta, Canada.

The Story of Mystery, Alaska

Life in Mystery and the Saturday Game

Sheriff John Biebe lives in Mystery, Alaska. He is one of the main players in "the Saturday Game." This is a weekly hockey game played on an outdoor pond. The whole town loves hockey and comes out to watch every week.

One day, John's wife, Donna, brings a new Sports Illustrated magazine. It has an article about their town and the Saturday Game. The article talks about how good the team is. It even says the Mystery team can skate as well as any team in the National Hockey League (NHL).

Changes to the Team and Big News

Soon after, John is told he will no longer play in the Saturday Game. A younger player, Stevie Weeks, will take his spot. John is sad but congratulates Stevie.

Later, something unexpected happens. Connor Banks, who is the team's best player, has an accident involving a gun. He fired a shot to scare someone, but it bounced and hit the person in the foot.

Then, Charles “Charlie” Danner arrives in town. Charlie wrote the Sports Illustrated article. He grew up in Mystery but left. He announces that because of his article, the NHL wants the New York Rangers to come to Mystery. They want to play an exhibition game against the town's team. This game will even be shown on TV!

Getting Ready for the Big Game

At a town meeting, people are unsure about playing the Rangers. But then, one of the players, Birdie, says he really wants to play. Everyone gets excited, and they agree to the game.

The mayor asks John Biebe to coach the team. The town's judge, Judge Burns, refused to coach. John says he doesn't know how to coach, but he takes the job.

Connor Banks, the player involved in the accident, has a legal hearing. His lawyer, Bailey Pruitt, helps him. The town's jury decides Connor is not guilty. Judge Burns is very upset. He feels the town cares more about hockey than what is right. Birdie, the judge's son, confronts him. Birdie feels his father is ashamed of him for staying in Mystery to play hockey.

Challenges Before the Match

The professional Rangers players are not happy about coming to Mystery. They think the game is a joke. TV crews arrive in town to prepare for the broadcast. They want to call the Mystery team the "Mystery Eskimos," but John and the mayor don't like that name.

John asks Judge Burns to help coach, but the judge still refuses. Preparations for the game continue, and it becomes clear this is a huge event for the small town.

Charlie Danner tells the mayor that the Rangers players have complained to their union. This means they might not come to play. The mayor gets angry and punches Charlie. Judge Burns tells Bailey Pruitt that there's a legal meeting in New York about the game. He suggests Bailey go to argue for Mystery.

A Sad Loss and a New Coach

Bailey Pruitt goes to New York and gives a very strong speech. He argues passionately for the game to happen. Sadly, during his speech, he becomes very ill and passes away.

Back in Mystery, after Bailey's funeral, everyone learns that he won the case. The game against the Rangers is back on! John Biebe talks to Judge Burns. Since the judge sent Bailey to New York, John says the judge must now coach the team. The judge agrees, but only if John also comes back to play as the team captain.

Under Judge Burns's guidance, the team trains very hard for the match.

The Big Game Day

The New York Rangers arrive in Mystery. The townspeople are amazed at how big and strong the professional players are. John Biebe also talks with Charlie Danner, who is feeling bitter about his past in Mystery. John explains that if the Mystery team loses badly, it could hurt the town's spirit.

During the game, the Mystery team starts slowly. But then, they score two goals in the first period! Stevie Weeks scores one of them, and the TV commentators are impressed by his speed. In the second period, the Rangers score five goals without Mystery scoring any. Birdie makes a mistake by trying to score himself instead of passing, which costs the team a goal.

In the third period, Mystery doesn't give up. They score two more goals. One of these goals comes from a great pass that Birdie makes instead of shooting. As time runs out, Connor Banks has a chance to tie the game, but his shot hits the crossbar. The game ends with the Rangers winning 5-4.

The Mystery team and the fans are very disappointed. But then, Judge Burns starts clapping for them. Soon, even the Rangers players applaud the Mystery team for their effort.

The next day, the Rangers leave. Stevie Weeks and Connor Banks are given contracts to play in a minor hockey league. They fly out of Mystery with the Rangers, ready for their new adventure.

Cast

See also

• List of films about ice hockey