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Brian's Song
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Brian's Song (1971) (TV) More at IMDbPro »

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Brian's Song (1971) -- One of the greatest television movies ever made, Brian's song depicts the friendship between Brian Piccolo (James Caan) and Gale Sayers (Billy Dee Williams), two Chicago Bears teammates, and the tragedy that affects the entire team when Piccolo develops terminal cancer.

Overview

User Rating:
7.7/10   3,235 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 5% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Gale Sayers (book) and
Al Silverman (book) ...
(more)
Contact:
View company contact information for Brian's Song on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
30 November 1971 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
An inspiring true story of friendship and courage.
Plot:
Based on the real-life relationship between teammates Brian Piccolo and Gale Sayers and the bond established when Piccolo discovers that he is dying. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 7 wins & 5 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(3 articles)
Weekly Poll Results: Best Football Movie
 (From FilmJunk. 2 September 2009, 9:15 AM, PDT)

Emmy-Winning Actor Jack Warden Dies at 85
 (From WENN. 21 July 2006)

User Reviews:
YOU'LL LAUGH, YOU'LL CRY, YOU'LL WANT TO PLAY FOOTBALL more (38 total)

Cast

  (in credits order) (complete, awaiting verification)

James Caan ... Brian Piccolo

Billy Dee Williams ... Gale Sayers

Jack Warden ... Coach George Halas
Bernie Casey ... J.C. Caroline
Shelley Fabares ... Joy Piccolo
David Huddleston ... Ed McCaskey
Judy Pace ... Linda Sayers
Abe Gibron ... Abe Gibron
Jack Concannon ... Jack Concannon
Ed O'Bradovich ... Ed O'Bradovich
The Chicago Bears Players ... Themselves
The Chicago Bears Coaches ... Themselves
The Chicago Bears Staff ... Themselves
Harold 'Happy' Hairston ... Veteran Player #1 (as Happy Hairston)
Ron Feinberg ... Veteran Player #2 (Doug Atkins)
Ji-Tu Cumbuka ... Roommate
Jim Boeke ... Veteran Player #3
Larry Delaney ... Dr. Fox
Stephen Coit ... Mr. Eberle
Doreen Lang ... Nurse #1
Jennifer Kulik ... Nurse #2 (as Jeni Kulik)
Allen Secher ... Hotel Man
Stu Nahan ... Speaker
Mario Machado ... Reporter #1
Bud Furillo ... Reporter #2
Jack Wells ... Toastmaster
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Dick Butkus ... Dick Butkus (uncredited)
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Directed by
Buzz Kulik 
 
Writing credits
Gale Sayers (book "I Am Third") and
Al Silverman (book "I Am Third")

William Blinn (written by)

Produced by
Paul Junger Witt .... producer
Tony Thomas .... associate producer
 
Original Music by
Michel Legrand 
 
Cinematography by
Joseph F. Biroc  (as Joe Biroc)
 
Film Editing by
Bud S. Isaacs 
 
Art Direction by
Ross Bellah 
 
Set Decoration by
Frank Lombardo 
 
Production Management
Eddie Saeta .... unit production manager
 
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Eddie Saeta .... assistant director
Richard Learman .... second assistant director (uncredited)
 
Camera and Electrical Department
Dave Friedman .... still photographer (uncredited)
 
Casting Department
Renée Valente .... casting executive (as Renee Valente)
 
Thanks
Ernie Ernse .... thanks
Joe Guarracino .... thanks
Jack Newman .... thanks
Steve Sabol .... thanks
 

Production CompaniesDistributorsOther Companies
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Additional Details

Runtime:
73 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Filming Locations:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Released theatrically after its successful TV showings. more
Goofs:
Continuity: When Piccolo is in the hospital and gets the pizza, the position of the Brown Derby can changes. more
Quotes:
Brian Piccolo: Well, on uh, Fake Draw Screen Right I uh, pick up the linebacker if he's comin, 'less of course it's Butkus, then I simply notify the quarterback to send for a preacher. more
Movie Connections:

FAQ

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10 out of 10 people found the following review useful.
YOU'LL LAUGH, YOU'LL CRY, YOU'LL WANT TO PLAY FOOTBALL, 5 November 2002
7/10
Author: brianlion from United States

I still remember sitting down with my family to watch "Brian's Song", the made for TV movie in 1971. I was 13 years of age, and my 3 brothers and I thought we were going to watch a sports movie. It's funny thinking back to that night, as all the brothers fought back tears during the final scenes. We jumped up at the end, and tried to act macho and pretended we all had colds and runny noses. Watching the movie today, it doesn't have quite the same impact, but it remains touching and dramatic. James Caan and Billy D Williams work well together. They act without any arrogance and tough-guy attributes they picked up later in their careers. The movie score wraps around the scenes to add to the poignancy without disrupting the mood. Shelly Fabarase is the perfect wife. It is a touching tribute to a ordinary football player, Brian Piccolo, who lead a extraordinary life. A updated version of "Brian's Song" attempted to capture the magic of 1971's version, but as is usually the case, the attempt falls short of the goal. The original does the best at mourning Piccolo's death, but most importantly, celebrating his life. It is a touchdown!

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hilarious goof in the movie sivin1
title.. what does it mean? gone-permenatly
brian's song at the movies littlesister_1126
A Black Guy? tokyostreetkiller
Which original Chicago Bears are in this Movie? jojopuppyfish
Not to mention the awsome music heberald26
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