The Babe (1992)

User Rating:

5.7/10   

Director:

Arthur Hiller

Writer (WGA):

John Fusco (written by)

Release Date:

17 April 1992 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama | Sport

Tagline:

There Was Only One.

Plot:

Babe Ruth becomes a baseball legend but is unheroic to those who know him.

Plot Keywords:

Babe Ruth | Baseball | Superstar | Adultery | Fame

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

John Goodman	...	George Herman 'Babe' Ruth
Kelly McGillis	...	Claire Hodgson Ruth
Trini Alvarado	...	Helen Woodford Ruth
Bruce Boxleitner	...	Jumpin' Joe Dugan
Peter Donat	...	Harry Frazee
James Cromwell	...	Brother Mathias
J.C. Quinn	...	Jack Dunn
Joe Ragno	...	Miller Huggins
Richard Tyson	...	Guy Bush
Ralph Marrero	...	Frank 'Ping' Bodie
Robert Swan	...	George Herman Ruth Sr. (as Bob Swan)
Bernard Kates	...	Colonel Jack Ruppert
Michael McGrady	...	Lou Gehrig
Stephen Caffrey	...	Johnny Sylvester
Gene Ross	...	Brother Paul

Runtime:

Netherlands:115 min | USA:115 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

UK:PG | Iceland:L | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

Every ball park except Fenway Park was portrayed by Wrigley Field (Cubs fans can tell just by looking at how the grass is cut by 1st and 3rd base).

Goofs:

Factual errors: Jumpin' Joe Dugan says he got his nickname by "jumping" to whichever team will pay him the most. He actually earned the moniker by teammates due to his habit of taking unauthorized leaves from his team.

Quotes:

Johnny Sylvester: You are the best, you are the best there's ever been.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: Zombie Nightmare (#7.4)" (1994)

Soundtrack:

Chaconne

The darker side of a baseball icon.

Despite critical reviews, this is really an interesting movie. A different look at legendary home run slugger Babe Ruth. Very low budget and historically incorrect. A major league turn around from the William Bendix BABE RUTH STORY(1948). Rowdy and ribald and one of baseball's original heroes is shown drinking, cavorting, skirt chasing and deep in gluttony. The real "Bambino"? Not candy coated, but not honestly factual either. John Goodman is outstanding as the slugger of mammoth and mythical home runs. Kelly McGillis plays Clare Ruth. Also in the cast are Bruce Boxleitner, Joe Ragno and Peter Donat. Take it all in stride. It is only a movie and not engraved in granite.