Main Cast: Judy Pace, Jack Warden, James Caan, Billy Dee Williams
Release Year: 1970
Country: US
Run Time: 74 minutes
MPAA Rating: G
Plot
One of the best known and most enthusiastically reviewed made for television films of the 1970's, this drama was based on the true story of football greats Gale Sayers and Brian Piccolo. Sayers (Billy Dee Williams) and Piccolo (James Caan) both joined the Chicago Bears the same year, and while it was obvious from the start Sayers had the talent and drive to be a great player, Piccolo seemed destined to be an also-ran on the team. However, Sayers and Piccolo struck up a friendship which brought out the best in both players, and coach George Halas (Jack Warden) chose them for a special assignment -- they became the first interracial roommates in the history of the NFL. When Sayers suffered a knee injury that threatened to end his career, Piccolo took it upon himself to help his friend through rehabilitation so he could rejoin the team. But when Piccolo began having heath problems, it was a problem too great for Sayers to handle -- his close friend had developed cancer. Adapted from Sayers' autobiography I Am Third, Brian's Song also features Chicago Bears legend Dick Butkus as himself. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
Review
At 74 minutes, Brian's Song is one of the most effective and efficient television movies ever made. Documenting the true and tragic friendship between legendary Chicago Bears stars Gayle Sayers and Brian Piccolo (played by Billy Dee Williams and James Caan, respectively), the film also manages to overcome the trappings of a typical buddy film or sports drama of this sort by also addressing some of the larger social issues -- primarily racism -- of the time period. That said, director Buzz Kulik simply doesn't have enough time to adequately explore these topics -- considering the ground he attempts to cover over the course of the film's spartan running time. Instead -- and rightly so -- emphasis is given to the unique, socially defiant relationship the two men had, the success of which rests squarely on the performances of Williams and Caan. And both actors rise to the occasion and then some with amazing portrayals layered with a tremendous psychological depth, as well as a profoundly touching camaraderie. While far from a superior film, Brian's Song is still a moving dramatic document that holds a special place in the hearts of American-style football enthusiasts everywhere. ~ Ryan Shriver, All Movie Guide
Jim Boeke - Veteran Player; Dick Butkus - Himself; Ji-Tu Cumbuka - Roommate; Bernie Casey - J.C. Caroline; Shelley Fabares - Joy Piccolo; Ron Feinberg - Veteran Player 2; David Huddleston - Ed McCaskey; Doreen Lang - Nurse 1; Mario Machado - 1st Reporter; Stu Nahan - Speaker; Judy Pace - Linda Sayers; Allen Secher - Hotel Man; Jack Warden - Coach George Halas; Jack Wells - Toastmaster
Credit
Tony Thomas - Associate Producer, Buzz Kulik - Director, Michel Legrand - Composer (Music Score), Joseph Biroc - Cinematographer, Paul Junger Witt - Producer, William Blinn - Screenwriter
The movie is based on Sayers' account of his friendship with Piccolo and Piccolo's illness in Sayers' autobiography, I Am Third. The film was written by veteran screenwriter William Blinn, whose script one Dallas television critic called "highly restrained, steering clear of any overt sentimentality [yet conveying] the genuine affection the two men felt so deeply for each other."[2]
Music
The musical theme to Brian's Song, "The Hands of Time," was a popular tune during the early 1970s. The music for the film was by Michel Legrand, with lyrics to the song by Marilyn and Alan Bergman. Nashville pianist Floyd Cramer performed a popular version of "The Hands of Time".
League: Independent (1919) • Conference: National Conference (1950–1952); Western Conference (1953–1969) • Division: NFL Western Division (1933–1949); Central Division (1967–1969); NFC Central Division (1970–2001)
