Rollerball (1975)

User Rating:

6.5/10   

Director:

Norman Jewison

Writers:

William Harrison (short story "Roller Ball Murder") &
William Harrison (screenplay)

Release Date:

25 June 1975 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Sci-Fi | Sport

Tagline:

In the not-too-distant future, wars will no longer exist...

Plot:

In a corporate controlled future, an ultra-violent sport known as Rollerball represents the world, and one of it's powerful athletes is out to defy those who want him out of the game.

Plot Keywords:

Corporation | Future | Computer | Roller Skating | Bare Chested Male

Awards:

Won BAFTA Film Award. Another 3 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

James Caan	...	Jonathan E.
John Houseman	...	Bartholomew
Maud Adams	...	Ella
John Beck	...	Moonpie
Moses Gunn	...	Cletus
Pamela Hensley	...	Mackie
Barbara Trentham	...	Daphne
John Normington	...	Executive
Shane Rimmer	...	Rusty, Team Executive
Burt Kwouk	...	Japanese Doctor
Nancy Bleier	...	Girl in Library
Richard LeParmentier	...	Bartholomew's Aide (as Rick LeParmentier)
Robert Ito	...	Strategy Coach for Houston Team
Ralph Richardson	...	Librarian
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Miquel Brown	...	(unconfirmed)

Also Known As:

Rollerball (Austria) (West Germany) [de]
Ölüm pateni (Turkey: Turkish title) [tr]
Rolerbol (Serbia) [sr]
Rollerball (Finland) [fi]
Rollerball (Denmark) [da]
Rollerball (France) [fr]
Rollerball - Os Gladiadores do Futuro (Brazil) [pt]

Runtime:

125 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo (35 mm magnetic prints) | 70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints)

Certification:

Finland:K-16 (cut) (1988) | Finland:K-16 (uncut) (2000) | Finland:K-18 (uncut) (1975) | New Zealand:M (re-rating) (2002) | New Zealand:R18 (orginal rating) (1976) | UK:15 (video rating) (1987) | Australia:M | Canada:13+ (Québec) | Canada:14A (Alberta) (re-rating) (1999) | Canada:AA (Ontario) | Germany:16 (2002) | Netherlands:18 | Norway:18 (1976) | Singapore:NC-16 | Sweden:15 | UK:AA (original rating) | USA:R | West Germany:18 (original rating) | Canada:PG (Manitoba) | Canada:A (Nova Scotia)

Filming Locations:

BMW Building, Munich, Bavaria, Germany

Company:

Algonquin

Trivia:

This was the first film to give full screen credits to the stunt performers. Normally their work would go uncredited, but the director was so impressed by their work, he felt moved to include their names in the closing credits. Ever since, stunt performers have received screen credit for their work.

Goofs:

Continuity: At the beginning of the Madrid game, there is a shot of the crowd just after Jonathan E. takes possession of the ball for the first time; visible in the shot is the scoreboard, reading 1-0 Houston. Neither team has scored as yet.

Quotes:

P.A. Announcer: [before the start of the New York game] Your attention please... Rule changes for tonight's World Championship Game: No substitutions, no penalties... and no time limit!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Ils sont fous ces sorciers (1978)

Soundtrack:

Adagio

Would this be the future?

Coming out as it did right after the Vietnam War ended, it seems that "Rollerball" accurately reflected the sense of cynicism - inherent in the idea of dystopia - that had taken over the country. It portrays a corporate future in which the only entertainment is an ultra-violent sport called Rollerball. The thugs who have taken over are able to use this sport not only to control their players, but also to control the population. But one player, Jonathan E. (James Caan), is seeking to change all that...

Aside from looking at the use of violence for entertainment, "Rollerball" also employs some interesting camera angles (mainly in the zooms). Apparently, director Norman Jewison got part of the inspiration from "A Clockwork Orange"; you can certainly see it here. A great movie.