Product Description

Based on the real-life relationship between teammates brian piccolo and gales sayers and the bond established when piccolo discovers that his dying. Studio: Sony Pictures Home Ent Release Date: 10/03/2006 Starring: Sean Maher Mekhi Phifer Run time: 87 minutes Rating: Nr Director: John Gray

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #59465 in DVD
• Brand: Sony
• Released on: 2002-01-22
• Rating: Unrated
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, DVD, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: Chinese, English, French, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 89 minutes

From the Back Cover
Sean Maher (TV's Party of Five) and Mekhi Phifer (Soul Food) star in this excellent remake of the 1971 Emmy Award-winning drama about the friendship between football players Brian Piccolo and Gale Sayers. When Gale Sayers joins the Chicago Bears in 1965, the running back is befriended by fellow rookie Brian Piccolo, a brash young man whose personality is the exact opposite of the stoic Sayers. As their friendship begins, the two compete for starting positions on the team, but Sayers' talent far outshines Piccolo's, and he quickly rises to the top of the game. When they become roommates, their friendship deepens, and when Sayers injures his knee it is Piccolo who encourages him to get back in shape and back in the game-if only so Piccolo can compete against him on an even playing field. Both men become better ball players because of-and in spite of-each other, and when Piccolo quickly begins his decent into illness, they form a bond that will last forever.

Customer Reviews

An adequate remake of the true story of Brian and Gayle
This version is an adequate retelling of the story of Brian Piccolo and Gale Sayers, and Piccolo's fight with cancer. When I saw it I was somewhat let down, since it seemed to lack the emotional punch and era realism of the 1971 original.

I found the combination of Billy Dee Williams and James Caan to be a more believable and approachable duo than Sean Maher and Mekhi Phifer. Though the newer version is worth a look, I wouldn't run right out and buy it without seeing it first.

In summary, this movie presents a good retelling, but, in my opinion, lacks the emotional punch and character development of the 1971 original.

an admirable remake of a classic
I remember watching the original in the 70's and was uncertain what might happen when it was remade. After all, Brian's Song was unquestionably the greatest TV movie ever made. This remake, 30 years after the original, absolutely did it justice. The casting, the acting, the script, it was all so well done. I think the race aspect was played down a little in this newer version, but that was as it should be. These two men could not have been more different and race was just one small aspect of their differences. But each was a hero in his own way and deserves to have his story told.

In another review, someone misidentified the actress who played Brian's wife. Paula Cale did an admirable job playing the role of Joy Piccolo.

a beautiful song to hear
Hard to believe I didn't recognize this movie until just the other day. What a beautiful movie with emotional depth and a great message about friendship. For anyone who might not know the storyline, it focuses on the true story of Brian Piccolo and Gale Sayers, two former football players for the Chicago Bears with every difference you could possibly imagine keeping them apart, including racial differences and completely opposite personalities. Only by rooming together are they finally forced to truly enter each other's lives and help each other in many future endeavors, including a standout challenge in Brian's young life that the two must handle together, as only true friends could.

I have not yet seen the original of this film (which I hope to do soon), so I can't comment on any differences between the 1971 and 2001 versions. I will, however, say that judging from a trailer I recently saw of the 1971 movie, it seems like many similar and sometimes exact lines were used in both films, so I am sure that they both contain much flavor and depth. This 2001 round is an emotionally heartwrenching and altogether remarkable rendition of a true story that will never be forgotten by anyone who has ever followed the Chicago Bears over the years. Mekhi Phifer (Sayers) and Sean Maher (Piccolo) have realism in their acting and knowledge of their roles, thus enabling them to become these powerful and complex characters. I especially enjoyed the performance of Sean Maher. His smile, charisma, and endearing personality made the character all the more real and convincing. This is certainly a beautiful film that touches base with many deep topics (friendship, strength through trial, etc...) and will put many varying emotions to use. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll be touched. I personally don't typically cry at movies, but this one always hits me hard. If you don't choke up or at least feel touched when Brian finally truly verbalizes his love for his wife or when Gale breaks down at the end of the movie, there's something wrong. Honestly, though, this is an outstanding movie--an excellent message. Seeing as this 2001 movie was my first introduction to the story of Brian Piccolo and Gale Sayers, I was impressed. Don't let the "trashy remake" title scare you off, because this new version has plenty of emotion and strength that has helped transform the story itself into what it remains today in the hearts of many.