This truly classic football movie is bound to get the tear ducts of even the most hardened dude flowing. Not particularly dated since 1971, this TV movie has some amazing performances from James Caan and Billy Dee Williams. The heartwrenching true story of Brian Piccolo not only addresses terminal illness in young people, but racial issues and the male coping mechanism as well. Unofficially recognised as the greatest television movie ever made (according to IMDB). Incredibly sad, beautiful, inspiring and horiffically underwatched. If you can find it, please give it a go!!
This is one of the best films I've ever seen -- I lived in Aurora, Illinois when Brian died! I loved him as a Bear, and I was terribly saddened by his death -- I remember all that Gayle Sayers did for him, but I didn't know this much -- A Wonderful film --
Older movie,However some stories are timeless This is one of them.An amazing friendship formed around the common passion for Football until tragedy strikes and bond grows deeper.I don't want to spoil anything if you have not yet seen this amazing movie.It's a fantastic football movie and a true story,A must see for any fan of Football.=)
"Brian's Song" is the true story of two friends (James Caan and Billy Dee Williams) who are members of the National Football League team, the Chicago Bears in the late 1960s. It is based on I Am Third, the autobiography of "The Kansas Comet" Gayle Sayers (who is played by Williams in the movie).
Football is not the main focus of the movie, it is about the friendship of Piccolo (Caan) and Sayers, a friendship that grows stronger when it is learned that Piccolo has embryonal cell carcinoma, a form of cancer. The type of cancer is not mentioned in the movie, it's just referred to as cancer.
There are some fair performances in the film. The two that stand out from the rest are Caan and, most notably, Williams. The two lead actors are very believable in their portrayal of the friendship of their characters.
A small problem is the development of the supporting characters. You don't really get to see much of the team, many of which are actual members of the Chicago Bears of the time this movie was broadcast on ABC in 1971, or the wives of Sayers and Piccolo. This does help maintain the focus on the two leads however.
The visuals in this movie are nothing spectacular. It is very obvious that stock footage of actual games are used. Not even the team practice scenes standout. They do, however, use location shoots at football arenas for scenes that take place on the sidelines.
This movie is not for very young children who will not understand the seriousness of Piccolo's illness. However, older children should watch it with parents.
The racial integration woven into the plot may have been more powerful during the Nixon administration. The movie also seemed to have abrupt transitions. Otherwise, it tells a great story.
A story about two football players for the Chicago Bears one White player by the name of Brian Piccolo The other a black player by the name of Gale Sayers, yes this movie will make a grown man cry and yes i did cry.
Probably the best made for television movie ever made. It trails Brian Piccolo's football career with is best friend Gale Sayers and is one of the few movies that make grown men cry.
You think this movie is about football, but it's really not, it's all about an unlikely friendship. Definitely worth a look even if you're not a football fan.
You don't have to be a sports fan to love this movie.It broke the racial barriers of yesteryear.Pic and Gale could joke about each others race,its a shame people are too politically correct to find humor in one another anymore.
This movie is for individuals that value their relationships with their friends!! The strength between the two actors was very touching!! I cry every time I see this movie!!
This is the male tearjerker movie. This account of real life teammates Gale Sayers and Brian Piccolo is touching and tough at the same time. Very strong movie that has stood the test of time and an anemic remake.
MCT:June 19, 2008
MCT:October 23, 2007
MCT:August 19, 2007
MCT:January 8, 2009
MCT:June 8, 2007
