Why take on the role of Bear Bryant?
Tom Berenger: Well, I just fell in love with the script. I was familiar with him when he coached Alabama, but I didn’t know about his years at Texas A&M, Maryland and Kentucky. In the script, he’s just as folksy and colorful as he was later in life, but he was much more intense at this time, and I was drawn to that intensity. Actually, the summer camp at Junction is sort of where he turned the corner a bit and began to realize that it’s a sport and not a war. Is there something about this kind of character — the hardcase, intense guy, like Sgt. Barnes in “Platoon” — that is especially appealing to you? Berenger: I guess so. I don’t know why it is. I guess I like their driven sort of organization and pursuit and that stuff. I suppose it’s something like that sticks with me. Until Joe Pa surpassed him in 2001, Bryant was the winningest Division I coach in history.Bryant was a legend. Were you apprehensive about playing him? Berenger: Absolutely. He’s somewhat of a god in Alabama and th
