‘12 Mighty Orphans’ to open at Cinema Art Theater June 18

The Rehoboth Beach Film Society’s Cinema Art Theater will present “12 Mighty Orphans” starting Friday, June 18.

This true story, adapted from Jim Dent’s bestselling book by the same name, tells the amazing story of a determined young sports team.

The Mighty Mites is the football team from a Fort Worth orphanage whose members, during the Great Depression, went from playing without shoes – or even a football – to playing for the Texas state championship. 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 (played by Luke Wilson), 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. Also among the all-star cast are Martin Sheen, Treat Williams and Robert Duvall.

Screening times are 3 and 6 p.m., Friday-Sunday, June 18-20 and Wednesday-Thursday, June 23-24. Admission is $8 for members and $11 for nonmembers. Customers are encouraged to purchase tickets online at rehobothfilm.com. If seats are available, tickets can be purchased at the theater starting 30 minutes prior to each screening.