Bang the Drum Slowly (1973)

Director:

John D. Hancock

Writers:

Mark Harris (novel)
Mark Harris (screenplay)

Release Date:

12 May 1978 (Finland)

Genre:

Drama | Sport

Plot:

The story of the friendship between a star pitcher, wise to the world, and a half-wit catcher, as they...

Plot Keywords:

Baseball | Terminal Illness | Friendship | New York City | Athlete

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 1 win

Cast

Michael Moriarty	...	Henry 'Author' Wiggen
Robert De Niro	...	Bruce Pearson
Vincent Gardenia	...	Dutch Schnell
Phil Foster	...	Joe Jaros
Ann Wedgeworth	...	Katie
Patrick McVey	...	Bruce's Father
Heather MacRae	...	Holly Wiggen
Selma Diamond	...	Tootsie, Hotel switchboard operator
Barbara Babcock	...	Team Owner
Maurice Rosenfield	...	Team Owner
Tom Ligon	...	Piney Woods
Andy Jarrell	...	Ugly
Marshall Efron	...	Bradley
Danny Burks	...	Perry
Tom Signorelli	...	Goose Williams

Runtime:

96 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Finland:S | USA:PG | Singapore:PG | Iceland:12

Filming Locations:

Clearwater, Florida, USA

Company:

ANJS

Trivia:

First produced as an hour-long live TV drama in 1956 on the United States Steel Hour, with Paul Newman as Henry Wiggen and Albert Salmi as Bruce Pierson.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: During the season, the Mammouths are seen playing the Pirates, the Reds, the Orioles, and the Red Sox, among others. Two of those are National League teams, two are American League teams. Major League Baseball did not have inter-league play during the season depicted in the movie - 1973 or earlier.

Quotes:

Dutch Schnell: [taking Piney's revolver in the locker room] Hand it over. I'm in no mood to see anybody get killed by a buller wound. Piney, I hear you have bullets with it too.
Piney Woods: Yes, sir. They're in the gun.
Dutch Schnell: Why the hell didn't you tell me?
Piney Woods: I didn't think it'd go off. I'm always very careful.
Dutch Schnell: That's what everybody says. That's why the hospital's full of babies.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Family Guy: Brian Does Hollywood (#3.2)" (2001)

Soundtrack:

Home On The Range

Early DeNiro gives a good look at actor's incredible range

Most of us, at the end of the 20th century, know Robert DeNiro as an actor who has portrayed countless tough guys onscreen, in movies such as Goodfellas, Raging Bull, Mean Streets, and even up to Ronin. But before Bobby was cast (and cast and cast and cast)as Hollywood's chief badfella, he co-starred in this adaptation of a novel by Mark Harris as a simpleton baseball catcher who may be dying.

Many people feel that playing a sick or handicapped character is relatively easy for an actor, but in truth there's more to acting than simply limping or slurring one's speech. DeNiro's character, we learn early on, is dying - just when his chances of sticking with the big club are tenuous at best. His best friend is played by Michael Moriarty, whose character is a seasoned, talented pitcher. Moriarty learns of DeNiro's fate during an off season, and decides to do all he can to help his friend, to make what life he has left a pleasant one.

Both actors turn in magnificent performances, but you can't beat this film for an excellent foretelling of a major talent. By 1973, DeNiro had acted in a few movies (including a couple from his once and future director, Brian DePalma), but it was his astounding work in this film that really put him on the map. His Bruce Pearson isn't just a simpleton for whom the audience is supposed to feel a truckload of sympathy - there are many television movies that do just that - he's a multilayered person. DeNiro squeezes more emotion out of a single sideways smile than many actors can do in their entire careers. What's more, even though you the viewer know what Pearson's fate is, you're no less pulling for him.

Call this a tearjerker, and you'd be correct. But ultimately, DeNiro's conviction and a solid script put this far above most other films of this genre.