Rollerball (1975)

In the year 2018, violence and crime have been totally eliminated from society and given outlet in the brutal blood sport of rollerball, a high-velocity blend of football, hockey, and motor-cross racing sponsored by the multinational corporations that now control the world following the collapse of traditional politics. James Caan plays Jonathan E., the reigning superstar of rollerball, whose corporate controllers fear that Jonathan's popularity has endowed him with too much power. They begin to pressure him according to their own ruthless set of rules, but Jonathan has rules of his own--the rules of a man determined to retain his soul in a world gone mad. As directed by Norman Jewison (who was enjoying a peak of success during the early and mid-1970s), Rollerball creates a believable society that's been rendered passive and compliant by the homogenization of corporate dictatorships, where the control and flow of information is the only currency of any importance. It's a world in which natural human aggressions have been sublimated and vented through the religious fervor toward rollerball and its players. Rollerball now looks like one of those 1970s science fiction films (another example being Logan's Run) that seems a bit dated and quaint, but its ideas are still provocative and fascinating, and the production is visually impressive. The DVD includes full-screen and widescreen versions of the film, audio commentary by director Norman Jewison, a behind-the-scenes featurette, an interactive "rollergame," trivia, and production notes. --Jeff Shannon Amazon.com

Somewhat dated in appearance, yet still prophetic with its message

As corporations continue to expand their control of various industries across the globe, "Rollerball" is more meaningful than ever before.

Sure, you've got the bad:

1) helicopters that look like the ones from M*A*S*H;
2) laser-pistol effects that are a little cheesy;
3) a bunch of guys in roller skates instead of roller blades;
4) dated video displays;
5) casual clothing and parties that look like something you might find at Playboy Mansion West . . . in the early seventies. (Spandex! Nothin' but spandex!)

But then you've got the good/great:

1) Violent rollersport with, in the end, NO SUBSTITUTIONS, NO PENALTIES and NO TIME LIMIT, essentially turning the game into a last-man-standing event;
2) Jonathan E, played by James Caan, who is the aging star of the rollerball sport. He's not represented as an unintelligent jock but, rather, as a simple man with simple desires who happens to have a gift for rollerball and a longing for the wife that has been taken from him. He became and remains popular in a sport that was designed to eradicate individual achievement. The NRG corporation (whose team he plays on) is ready to put him out to pasture. Takin' on the man, yeah!
3) John Houseman as the head dude of the NRG corporation. Cold, calculating, aloof and always enjoyable.
4) Toccata and Fugue in D Minor as the soundtrack! Bold and fitting at the same time. Check it and see (or hear, rather).
5) The movie just gets better and better towards the end, crescendoing like a classical symphonic piece.
6) A great dystopian film about man vs. the society of the future.

I'm serious. If you love dystopian stories, this should definitely be on your "Must See" list. September 17, 2008

Rollerball (1975) Is Sci-Fi And Social Commentary At It's Best--So Why Can't Amazon Differentiate Reviews For It And The Remake

"Rollerball" (1975) is a science fiction classic and the reviews of it should not be allowed to be defamed by those of the so called remake! I first saw this film when it came out, and it remains one of the few James Caan films I like. Moreover, the central themes--discussed in many of the other reviews--remain as important today as they were in 1975. While I cannot say with certainty that "Running Man" took it's cue from "Rollerball," I have always seen similarities between the two.

One of the true beauties of the science fiction genre is it's ability to make social commentary on the present and potential future at the same time. While "Rollerball" currently is not a professional sport or a "reality" show, I can easily see it happening some day. Certainly, it is well known that the stunt people reveled in playing the "game" during breaks in the filming, and "Rollerball" was the subject of discussion in Sports Illustrated. However, a criticism of both the Amazon description and others is that "'Rollerball' now looks like one of those 1970s science fiction films (another example being 'Logan's Run') that seems a bit dated and quaint,..." Are all facets of this classic still applicable to today? I say, watch the movie--really watch it--and see for yourself. Yes the props, production, and technical aspects are not those of today; but is that so bad? In my opinion, movies have gone too "technical," and, as such, have lost their believability. So, buy "Rollerball" and see what you think: is it current and believable or dated and quaint?

Update--1 July 2008: If this review was not helpful to you, I would appreciate learning the reason(s) so I can improve my reviews. My goal is to provide help to potential buyers, not get into any arguments. So, if you only disagree with my opinion, could you please say so in the comments and not indicate that the review was not helpful. Thanks. June 8, 2008

SAD OLD MAN 3

Goes back in time, was a classic film ahead of itself when first released, time for the vhs to go so it had to come for dvd. Nice now to sit back when I like and watch the really good old films. February 26, 2008

Be aware that reviews of the original and the lousy remake are mixed together here

Amazon has mixed up the reviews for the original Rollerball (with James Caan from 1975) and the remake (with Chris Klein from 2002). The customer reviews for the original are generally fairly good (user rating average at IMDb is 6.4/10, above average), for the remake the opposite (2.7/10, abysmal). Just keep that in mind if you're trying to decide what to buy based on these reviews. February 14, 2008

ladies and gentlemen, our corporate anthem!

Some of the dystopian films of the 70s seem to have a dreadful relevance today. "Network" and its vulgar, debased media; "Soylent Green" and its greenhouse-effect world; "Nashville" and its celebrity-stalkers and populist politicos. It all seemed so science-fiction then.

So it is with this film, which predicted a world in which, apparently, the nation-states, certainly the Soviet Union, no longer existed, and in which private corporations governed. It's very worth watching, both for the games themselves, a latter-day gladiator contest, and for the acting performances. Although some of the future settings and fashons outside the stadium look a little clunky, the action on the track is still powerful in its portrayal and special effects. This may have been James Caan's best role as the embattled champion, although John Houseman turns in a frightening performance, even better than "The Paper Chase," in my considered opinion. Shane Rimmer, as the team executive, also has a powerful role.

For the cinema buff, this is one part of an outstanding period in American film, in which the country saw its future. October 17, 2007

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