Product Description

FED-UP BASEBALL PLAYERS FORM THEIR OWN TEAM AND BARNSTORM THE COUNTRY IN 1939.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #22779 in DVD
• Brand: Universal Studios
• Released on: 2002-01-29
• Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
• Formats: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, Widescreen, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 110 minutes

Amazon.com
This enjoyable 1976 film by John Badham (Saturday Night Fever) concerns the efforts of a barnstorming baseball team of African American players to work around the dominance of the Negro National League. Set in 1939, the swift, impressive, and entertaining troupe of personality-rich athletes easily make the viewer wistful for this level of spiritedness on a green field. While the story is a bit halting, the script intelligently reflects some of the difficulties and requirements of black players at that time to find success in the game. The excellent cast includes Billy Dee Williams, whose character is based on Satchel Paige, and James Earl Jones, whose part is suggestive of the tragic Josh Gibson, as well as Richard Pryor, Ted Ross, DeWayne Jessie, and Stan Shaw. Produced by Motown's old film division, the musical score, not surprisingly, is highly memorable. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews

Fitting homage to the spirit of Negro League Baseball
I've always enjoyed this film ever since I was a pre teen. But as i've viewed the film in subsequent years i've come to regard it as more than just a very entertaining film.

The first point that i'd like to make is that it would be very easy to look at this film as a glossed over historical account of Jackie Robinson, Satchel Paige and Josh Gibson. The film is not that although three of the main characters are certainly based upon those great men. For a more historical recount, albeit with some dramatic license, I would recommend HBO's fine Soul of the Game.

I think it's difficult for many in my generation (under 40) to really appreciate the struggles and agony that most black americans endured just a short time ago in our history. This film however does a fabulous job of weaving the reality of barnstorming with the joy, athleticism and sorrow that was Negro League Baseball in addition to the pervasive racism that flourished throughout america at that time. For that alone it shouldn't be missed.

All that notwithstanding it's a fabulous entertainment. Richard Pryor is as always hiliarious. The script is very well written. At times emphasizing comedy, drama, triumph, tragedy and most importantly sufficiently representing the atmosphere and culture of much of black america at that time. But it's the performances of Billy Dee and James Earl that really raise the film from just fine storytelling to the level of social commentary and criticsm.

You'll laugh, strut, rage, and ultimately cry at this beautiful film.

very fun&uplifting film
a great tribute too the negro league players.overcoming racism&hustling owners.they defend themselves really well from both worlds and achieve there goals.James Earl jones,Billy Dee Williams,each give great performances.but Richard Pryor with his ricky ricardo take steals the show.a great look into the negro leagues.and very uplifting.

Invite Pitch
This is a funny, well acted look at the Negro Leagues and barnstorming before the integration of Major League Baseball. Many of the details in the movie are based on historical facts. There really was a woman owner in the Negro Leagues, for example. More to the point, the movie correctly illustrates some of the greed and corruption within the league, as well as some of the issues the players faced. It also captures the experience of a barnstorming club and the often clownish antics players sometimes had to engage in to attract attention. It also is a pretty funny movie starring Billy Dee Williams as a Satchel Paige-esque pitcher who's supremely self-confident, so much so that he throws his world famous "Invite Pitch" to hitters without players manning the field. James Earl Jones is a treat as Leo Carter, a hard-hitting, no nonsense catcher. Look for Richard Pryor in a smaller, but funny role as Charile Snow, who's convinced he can break into the Majors by pretending to be Cuban as Carlos Nevada. This is a great movie no baseball fan should miss.