Sports movies tend to be either comedies or inspirational heart-tuggers with the occasional hard-boiled exception such as “Raging Bull.”

Into the heart-tugging category comes “We Are Marshall,” the story of the events surrounding what is probably the worst disaster in sports history.

In 1970, a plane carrying most of the players on Marshall University’s “Thundering Herd” football team, several of its coaches and many fans and school officials crashed on its approach to Huntington, W.Va.’s airfield.

The effect on the city of Huntington and its hometown college was devastating.

Director McG sets the stage with a harrowing and realistic depiction of the crash and then narrows the focus on some of the individuals trying to cope during the aftermath.

Ian McShane, the roguish saloon-keeper on HBO’s “Deadwood,” plays Paul Griffen, a wealthy school supporter who wants to see the end of the football program. His son died in the crash and he wants no reminders of the past.

Kate Mara plays the son’s girlfriend, a waitress who sees her hopes for the future dashed.

David Strathairn, the solid actor who starred in “Good Night and Good Luck,” plays university president Donald Dedmon who later went on to helm Radford University. Dedmon agrees that the continuance of the football program seems hopeless.

Enter Nate Ruffin, played by Anthony Mackie. He’s a varsity player left behind who suffers from survivor’s guilt. Nate is the heart of the movie who pushes for the resurrection of the football program and is bolstered by a rousing rally by the student body. Dedmon is won over and begins the search for a replacement for the late coach.

Red Dawson, played by Matthew Fox, is an assistant coach who also suffers from survivor’s guilt; he was on his way to Ferrum College to recruit players when the plane went down.

After a long and fruitless search, Jack Lengyel applies for the job. Played by Matthew McConaughey in a winning performance, Lengyel is the school’s best hope who realizes he has little talent to work with and begins an unorthodox recruiting campaign.

Director McG brings an effective, realistic approach to community life and captures the flavor of a small city in rural West Virginia. He also has a knack for pacing, though he sometimes goes a little hard on the melodrama; the events speak for themselves.

Still, he crosses the finish line with an uplifting, inspiring story that will put viewers on the edge of their seats, cheering for a team arisen from the ashes of sorrow.