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When Billie Beat Bobby (2001) (TV)
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Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
16 April 2001 (USA) moreTagline:
It's not just the size of your racquet. It's The Way You Swing it.Plot:
The historic 1973 tennis match between middle-aged champion Bobby Riggs and young feminist Billie Jean King. | add synopsisAwards:
Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys. Another 4 nominations moreUser Comments:
Surprisingly Funny/Poignant "documentary"-except for Willard... moreCast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Holly Hunter | ... | Billie Jean King | |
| Ron Silver | ... | Bobby Riggs | |
| Matt Letscher | ... | Larry King | |
| Bob Gunton | ... | Jerry Perenchio | |
| Jacqueline McKenzie | ... | Margaret Court | |
| Elizabeth Berridge | ... | Rosie Casals | |
| Vincent Van Patten | ... | Lornie Kuhle | |
| Caitlin Martin | ... | Chris Evert | |
| Gerry Becker | ... | Ted Tinling | |
| Kathleen Gati | ... | Debbie the hairdresser | |
| Michael Mantell | ... | Sidney Schlenker | |
| Kali Rocha | ... | Connie | |
| Maureen Mueller | ... | Judith | |
| Patrick Kerr | ... | Rheo | |
| Caroline Aaron |
Additional Details
Also Known As:
Battle of the Sexes (USA) (working title)Billie contre Bobby: La bataille des sexes (Canada: French title)
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MPAA:
Rated PG for language and thematic elements.Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parentsRuntime:
90 minLanguage:
EnglishColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.78 : 1 moreSound Mix:
Dolby SRCertification:
USA:PGFun Stuff
Goofs:
Anachronisms: 1980s and 1990s Houston Astros division Pennant flags are seen hanging in Astrodome. moreFAQ
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Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for When Billie Beat Bobby (2001) (TV)| Recent Posts (updated daily) | User |
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| Your opinion on this movie? | vada-sultenfuss |
| How was the tennis? | breug |
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This movie (which I bought on DVD, having missed the initial TV run) takes a decidedly tongue-in-cheek approach to the legendary King/Riggs "Battle of the Sexes" tennis match...which is totally appropriate! Silver and Hunter do a magnificent job of portraying the combatants, who actually cared for each other and had no ill will towards the other. The movie does a fine job of showing that their "battle" was co-opted by others, rather than by anything they actually did (though both rode the hype to their own successes).
In addition, the movie is a hoot. King's nightmare sequences are absolutely comical, and you can actually feel Riggs' bewilderment with his "hustle" that has gone completely beyond his wildest dreams, as well as spun out of his control. And, the tennis playing is quite 'serviceable', to excuse the poorly adapted pun. Also, the historical accuracy is commendable (many forget that Riggs thumped Margaret Court before playing King--an event well adapted here, as well), and ABC file footage of the event is inter-spaced nicely.
The ONLY real criticism is the use of Fred Willard as Howard Cosell. He makes NO attempt to be anything except good ol' Fred with plastic hair (not even Howard's rug looked THAT bad), and every appearance of him on screen leaves one wondering, "WHY??" A definite drag on what was otherwise an excellent production.