Fresh
The material is trite, but Hancock's slow-motion treatment of the experience of athletic performance is adroit and graceful.
Don Druker, Chicago Reader
Bang the Drum Slowly
Nothing is more important than friendship. Not fame, not money, not death.
1973 · 1h 36m · PG
Drama
Directed by
John D. Hancock
Overview
The story of a New York pro baseball team and two of its players. Henry Wiggen is the star pitcher and Bruce Pearson is the normal, everyday catcher who is far from the star player on the team and friend to all of his teammates. During the off-season, Bruce learns that he is terminally ill, and Henry, his only true friend, is determined to be the one person there for him during his last season with the club. Throughout the course of the season, Henry and his teammates attempt to deal with Bruce's impending illness, all the while attempting to make his last year a memorable one.
Director and cast
- John D. Hancock Director
- Michael Moriarty as Henry Wiggen
- Robert De Niro as Bruce Pearson
- Vincent Gardenia as Dutch Schnell
- Phil Foster as Joe
- Ann Wedgeworth as Katie
- Patrick McVey as Bruce's Father
- Heather MacRae as Holly
- Selma Diamond as Tootsie
- Barbara Babcock as Team Owner
- Maurice Rosenfield as Team Owner
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Top critics, in their words
88%
Tomatometer
Fresh
A funny, gentle and honestly sentimental movie that is easily one of the best of the year in any category, and very possibly the best movie about sport ever made in this country.
Richard Schickel, TIME Magazine
Fresh
Never before has a movie considered the game from the inside out.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Fresh
It is one of those rare instances in which close adaptation of a good book has resulted in possibly an even better movie.
Roger Greenspun, New York Times
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