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Rollerball (1975)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
25 June 1975 (USA)
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Tagline:
In the not-too-distant future, wars will no longer exist... more
Plot:
In a corporate controlled future, an ultra-violent sport known as Rollerball represents the world, and one of it's powerful athletes is out to defy those who want him out of the game. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Won BAFTA Film Award.
Another 3 wins
&
5 nominations
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NewsDesk:
(9 articles)
Sound On Sight Radio #158 - Whip It!
(From SoundOnSight. 6 October 2009, 12:28 AM, PDT)
10 Things I Learned This Week
(From The Wrap. 2 October 2009, 4:32 PM, PDT)
(From SoundOnSight. 6 October 2009, 12:28 AM, PDT)
10 Things I Learned This Week
(From The Wrap. 2 October 2009, 4:32 PM, PDT)
User Comments:
Controlling the beast within
more (130 total)
Cast
(Complete credited cast) | James Caan | ... | Jonathan E. |
 | John Houseman | ... | Bartholomew |
 | Maud Adams | ... | Ella |
| John Beck | ... | Moonpie |
| Moses Gunn | ... | Cletus |
| Pamela Hensley | ... | Mackie |
| Barbara Trentham | ... | Daphne |
| John Normington | ... | Executive |
| Shane Rimmer | ... | Rusty, Team Executive |
| Burt Kwouk | ... | Japanese Doctor |
| Nancy Bleier | ... | Girl in Library |
| Richard LeParmentier | ... | Bartholomew's Aide (as Rick LeParmentier) |
| Robert Ito | ... | Strategy Coach for Houston Team |
| Ralph Richardson | ... | Librarian |
| rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| Miquel Brown | ... | (unconfirmed) |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
125 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
4-Track Stereo (35 mm magnetic prints) |
70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints)
Certification:
Finland:K-16 (cut) (1988) |
Finland:K-16 (uncut) (2000) |
Finland:K-18 (uncut) (1975) |
New Zealand:M (re-rating) (2002) |
New Zealand:R18 (orginal rating) (1976) |
UK:15 (video rating) (1987) |
Australia:M |
Canada:13+ (Québec) |
Canada:14A (Alberta) (re-rating) (1999) |
Canada:AA (Ontario) |
Germany:16 (2002) |
Netherlands:18 |
Norway:18 (1976) |
Singapore:NC-16 |
Sweden:15 |
UK:AA (original rating) |
USA:R |
West Germany:18 (original rating) |
Canada:PG (Manitoba) |
Canada:A (Nova Scotia)
Filming Locations:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
In the liner notes to the Region 2 DVD, director Norman Jewison is quoted as being influenced by Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange (1971). The influence is most obviously seen in the repetitive use of zooms, classical music and modern (i.e. concrete and glass) architecture.
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Goofs:
Continuity: At the beginning of the Madrid game, there is a shot of the crowd just after Jonathan E. takes possession of the ball for the first time; visible in the shot is the scoreboard, reading 1-0 Houston. Neither team has scored as yet.
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Quotes:
Ella:
But comfort is freedom. The entire history of civilization is a struggle against poverty and need.
Jonathan E.: No, that's not it. That's never been it. I mean, them privileges just buy us off.
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Jonathan E.: No, that's not it. That's never been it. I mean, them privileges just buy us off.
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Movie Connections:
Referenced in "NewsRadio: Movie Star (#3.8)" (1996)
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Soundtrack:
Executive Party Dance
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FAQ
What is "Rollerball"?Why was Jonathan E being forced to retire?
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more (130 total)
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Why some people have called this film shallow, I will never understand, considering it focuses on character more than most all sci-fi films, especially those action ones made today. Not surprisingly, the recent remake dwelt more on action than character, and perhaps it's significant that director Norman Jewison normally avoids making science-fiction films.
Also, I personally don't interpret ROLLERBALL as an anti-sport drama. It doesn't attack sports per se as much as violence. In his audio commentary to the DVD, Jewison, like many Canadians, admits he's a hockey fan, and once, while witnessing a game get bloodily out of hand, he was inspired to adapt Harrison's marvelous short story.
All in all, I think of the movie as a plea for all of us to find our own basic humanity (and those who say the film lacks humanity really baffle me). In our present competitive world, where the U.S. speed limit is 65 MPH but everyone drives 75 or faster, this motion picture reminds us to control the anarchistic, power-driven beast within.
To offer one example, in its final scene, Jonathan E is about to murder the last opposing team player...but relents. If the film were truly anti-sport,then I think Jonathan would drop the ball and leave; he would mock the game as Mandy Patinkin's character does hockey at the end of SLAPSHOT. Instead, Jonathan E still plays it: he baskets the ball to earn his point because, though he may have touched his humanity, he still retains the drive to win and the thrill of the game. Unlike other--often more sentimental and simple-minded--anti-sports dramas, ROLLERBALL represents the positive aspects of sports (such as ethical aspiration, etc.), while at the same time its negative aspects (such as triumphalist violence, etc.). Afterwards, as the crowd roars, the film might have concluded with a standard, comforting triumph-of-the-human-spirit message, but instead it freezes on a deliberately distorted shot of Jonathan with Bach's portentious music indicating what awaits. Yes, he may be a winner today, but in this world, where the corporation is everything and the individual nothing, his future is dim indeed.
A shallow film? Nonsense! I think this movie taps into ones humanity more than most of the sentimental tripe hyped as significant drama these days.