IMDb > Bang the Drum Slowly (1973)

Bang the Drum Slowly (1973) More at IMDbPro »


IMDb Holiday Movie Guide

Overview

User Rating:
7.0/10   2,429 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?

Up 1% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.

Director:

John D. Hancock

Writers:

Mark Harris (novel)
Mark Harris (screenplay)

Contact:

View company contact information for Bang the Drum Slowly on IMDbPro.

Release Date:

12 May 1978 (Finland) more

Genre:

Drama | Sport more

Plot:

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

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 1 win more

NewsDesk:

DVD Playhouse--November 2009
 (From The Hollywood Interview. 14 November 2009, 6:25 PM, PST)

User Comments:

Early DeNiro gives a good look at actor's incredible range more (42 total)


Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
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
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:

96 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1 more

Sound Mix:

Mono

Filming Locations:

Clearwater, Florida, USA more

Company:

ANJS more


Fun Stuff

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. more

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. more

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.
more

Movie Connections:

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

Soundtrack:

Home On The Range more


FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
16 out of 17 people found the following comment useful.
Early DeNiro gives a good look at actor's incredible range, 31 December 1999
8/10
Author: Dan Franzen (dfranzen70) from United States

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.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (42 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Bang the Drum Slowly (1973)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Excellent Ending homerj208
One of Al Pacino's Favorite Movies moviefiend-1
Randy Hickey = Bruce Pearson PeterV
Henery Wiggen Books FibberMcGee18
Region 2 dvd? ga41
Thee Mammoth Quartet Song........ veepie58
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
The Natural Slap Shot For Love of the Game Brewster's Millions Little Big League
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Drama section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.