BRIAN'S SONG was one of the highest rated TV movies of all-time when it hit the small screen in 1971. The winner of 5 Emmy Awards, it still holds up as one of the best true story/football films ever made more than 50 years later.
Billy Dee Williams, in his first major film after a lot of TV roles, is excellent as Gale Sayers.
We know that Sayers would becomes one of the greatest Chicago Bears in history, but Williams captures his rookie year. Shy and gullible, he falls for every prank thrown at him by fellow rookie Brian Piccolo, played by James Caan, whose next film would be a little picture called "The Godfather".
The film flies through their training camp and first season, with Jack Warden (Heaven Can Wait, All The President's Men) sterling as Bears Coach Halas. Bernie Casey (Sharky's Machine, Never Say Never Again) is player J.C. Caroline and Shelley Fabares (TV's Coach, Clambake) is a standout as Brian's wife, Joy.
I never realized what a low budget film this is, with every cheap set definitely showing its TV movie of the week roots. The Bears headquarters look more like a high school and the players dorm rooms look like a Travelodge. It's hilariously cheap.
Fortunately, the cast is on their A game, with Caan and Williams as the ultimate pigskin odd couple. The two also forged new ground as one of the first mixed race NFL roommates in the 1960's.
When Sayers suffers a midseason knee injury, it's Piccolo who inspires and drives him to a full recovery.
I think it's maybe forty years late for a spoiler alert, suffice to say that this film is legendary for making grown men weep as Piccolo faces off against a mid-season cancer diagnosis.
Michel Legrand's theme song is legendary and rode the top of the music charts as a 45 for much of 1971.
Unflinching in its portrayal of Piccolo dealing with the disease, the final twenty minutes serves up one blow after another, leaving you emotionally spent.
Some of the racial language muttered is a bit jarring in 2024, but was less so in its time. The message of crossing racial boundaries together overcomes any off putting 1970's dialogue.
Williams and Caan are excellent, showing early signs of their careers that would last for many decades. One of the best sports films ever made, it was released theatrically in Europe after its ABC broadcast premiere broke ratings records.
BRIAN'S SONG delivers an inspiring B.
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