Brian's Song (G)

Weepy story of interracial pro football teammates.

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Common Sense rates it
4
Seen the movie? Review it
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Movie details
  • Studio: Columbia Tristar
  • Directed By: Buzz Kulik
  • Cast: James Caan, Jack Warden, Billy Dee Williams
  • Running Time: 74 minutes
  • Release Date: 11/30/1971
  • Video/DVD Release Date: 08/08/2000
  • Genre: Drama
  • MPAA Rating: G

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that this movie deals with plenty of racial issues and there's an upsetting death by a main character.

Families can talk about friendship and competition. Do you have friends you compete with? Is it hard on your friendship sometimes? What are more recent movies that deal with racial issues? How do they compare with this movie from the '70s?

Message

Social Behavior:

Sensitive treatment of racial issues, especially for the time.

Consumerism:

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Social drinking

Violence

Sad death.

Sex

Language

Use of the "N" word.

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Nell Minow

This is the true -- and heartbreaking -- story of Brian Piccolo and Gale Sayers, players for the Chicago Bears and the first interracial roommates in pro sports. Piccolo (James Caan) isn’t as talented as Sayers (Billy Dee Williams) but his dedication is immense and he excels when competing against Sayers. When When Sayers is injured, Piccolo devotes himself to his friend’s recovery. Sayers comes back, Piccolo is added to the starting lineup, and all seems fine until Piccolo becomes ill. It turns out that he has terminal cancer. The shy and reserved Sayers must learn to handle a devastating loss by keeping the best of Piccolo inside him.

Is it any good?

4
This is a touching and inspiring made-for-TV film with an outstanding musical score by Michael Legrand. The friendship and devotion between the two friends (and their wives) is very moving, as is the treatment of racial issues.
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Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 1 reviews.

3

Posted on 10/06/07 by Anonymous Adult contributor

I cried!

I really like this heart-wrenching movie about Brian Piccolo.

Adult Reviews

There are 1 reviews.

3

Posted on 10/06/07 by Anonymous Adult contributor

I cried!

I really like this heart-wrenching movie about Brian Piccolo.

Kids Reviews

There are 0 reviews.

There are no kids reviews.

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