IMDb > 61* (2001) (TV)
61*
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips
Photos (see all 20 | slideshow) Videos (see all 2 NEW)
61* (2001) -- Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle race to break Babe Ruth's single-season home run record.
61* (2001) -- Trailerfan.com - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
7.8/10   7,274 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 16% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Billy Crystal
Writer (WGA):
Hank Steinberg (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for 61* on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
28 April 2001 (USA) more
Genre:
Drama | History | Sport more
Tagline:
Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris. Why did America have room in its heart for only one hero?
Plot:
Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle race to break Babe Ruth's single-season home run record. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 3 wins & 20 nominations more
User Comments:
An absolute home run more (119 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Additional Details

Also Known As:
61 (USA) (alternative title)
Home Run Race (USA) (working title)
more
Runtime:
129 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby Digital
Certification:
South Korea:15 | Canada:AA (Ontario) | Canada:G (Quebec) | Iceland:L | Singapore:PG | USA:TV-MA

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Because there was no accurate documentation of it, no one knew what the precise color of the Yankee Stadium seats were in 1961. When faced with this dilemma, Production Designer Rusty Smith was told that Billy Crystal had an old bleacher seat from Yankee Stadium. Though the seat was completely painted blue, Smith found one small chip of green on the seat that proved to be the true Yankee Stadium green. more
Goofs:
Continuity: After the commissioner's decision to make separate records for the 162-game season, Maris is answering questions while playing catch. When he stops to talk to the reporter (clearly breaking from playing catch), he had just thrown the ball to his partner. When he's done talking, he immediately throws the ball again to his partner, though he never received it during his break. more
Quotes:
Bob Sheppard: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to Yankee Stadium. more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in The Punisher (2004) more
Soundtrack:
Put On A Happy Face more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
13 out of 13 people found the following comment useful.
An absolute home run, 8 June 2005
9/10
Author: hall895 from New Jersey

Billy Crystal hits it out of the park with 61*. Brilliantly cast, beautifully shot and at times brutally honest in its storytelling, 61* is an absolute gem.

Any baseball fan well knows the story of the great home run chase of 1961. Here, Crystal peels back the curtain and brings us up close and personal with the men who made that season so memorable. In Barry Pepper, who plays Roger Maris, and Thomas Jane, as Mickey Mantle, Crystal found two actors absolutely perfect for their respective roles. The way Pepper and Jane perfectly captured the essence of these real-life heroes goes far beyond the eerie physical resemblances the actors have to the men they portray. Maris was a quiet, serious, introspective family man. And during this particular season it could be said he was a downright tortured man as well. Pepper captures all of this wonderfully. Mantle on he other hand was an outgoing, energetic, fun-loving superstar who took full advantage of all the perks his stardom brought him. And Jane does a fine job bringing this out and really lets you see the wear and tear Mantle's lifestyle had on him as his body began to break down. It would have been easy to gloss over some of the less appealing aspects of Mantle's personality. It also would have been dishonest and Crystal is to be applauded for showing it how it really was. Mantle was a larger than life hero but he certainly had his faults and this film brings them out. Some may find the pervasive profanity and crude sexual humor in the film to be a bit over the top but an honest retelling of the story requires acknowledging the way these ballplayers really were.

61* is not just a movie about baseball, it is at its heart a movie about Roger Maris and the key relationships in his life. Maris and Mantle, Maris and his wife, Maris and the oppressive press...these relationships are all explored as we learn much more about Roger Maris the man than Roger Maris the baseball player. Maris had to overcome a great deal to accomplish what he did and this film does a brilliant job of bringing us along on his magical ride.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (119 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for 61* (2001) (TV)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
The ending and McGwire pka54
61* - From a UK viewpoint bozz282
Who’s your favorite player( living or daid)? and what your teem saturn924
Why does batting order matter? mrj004
Hall of Fame brandnewband
Billy Crystal playing with Yankees for 1 game aradhope
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Lackawanna Blues Call Northside 777 The Payoff The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford The Assassination of Richard Nixon
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
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.