Brian's Song (G, 1971)

common sense media says

Weepy story of interracial pro football teammates.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

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

Positive messages: Sensitive treatment of racial issues, especially for the time.
Violence: Sad death.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: Use of the "N" word.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Social drinking

More on Brian's Song

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

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?

What's the story?

What's the story?

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?

Is it any good?
 

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.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Columbia Tristar
Director: Buzz Kulik
Cast: Billy Dee Williams, Jack Warden, James Caan
Genre: Drama
Run time: 74 minutes
Theatrical release: November 30, 1971
DVD release: August 8, 2000
MPAA Rating: G

This review was written by Nell Minow
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

Missy003
parent of 14 and 16 year old
 
3 Reasons Why Brian's Song is the Greatest Football Movie of All Time
#1. A Family Orientated Movie: Even though this sports movie dealt with how full back Brian Piccolo courageously wrestled with several forms of cancer that would ultimately take his life in June 1970. The overall theme of the movie deals with family unity, tragedy, and death, but the main focus of the movie dealt with interracial issues. Gale Sayers would form a special bond with Brian Piccolo, and during this time both player's would become the very first interracial roommates in the NFL. Even though Brian's Song Dealt with many social issues in the early seventies, the movie broke down how people dealt with death, tragedy, and color barriers, which taught children and families how to deal with their many innate human frailties. #2. Motivational Movie for Young Athletes: There are only a handful of movies that deal with how to motivate young athletes in today's world, the identity of the movie has many key elements that offer scores of positive solutions for every young person that wants to be the very best they can be. The Brian's Song movie can also be used as an ideal educational tool, as it teaches young people to be the best you can be despite your circumstance or national heritage. The Brian's Song movie is also a prolific teaching moment - where as coaches, parents, and mentors can use this movie to point out specific particulars that deal by means of learning how to cope with adversity. This may be one of the most important things that young athletes will have to gain knowledge of - in conjunction with becoming a team player in sports activities that also unclothe a reflection in their personal life. #3. The Best TV Sports Movie of All Time: There may be many more reasons why Brian's Song is a moving portrayal of real life events, but if it were not for the extraordinary acting talents of lead actors Billy Dee Williams and James Caan, there would have been no way that Brian's Song would have touched the hearts of so many American football fans. The two actors completely immersed their self in the roles portraying Gale Sayers and Brian Piccolo, their character acting was a moving document and testament relating to Brian Piccolo's battle with an incurable cancer. One of the more interesting and engaging facts about the other actors that were involved in the Brian's Song TV movie, Butkus, Jack Concannon, Abe Gibson, and the Chicago Bears were represented as true Chicago Bears players and staff that gave the movie an even more realistic appeal.

eatsleeprun
kid, 10 years old
 
Great movie for 7 up!
Great movie! Brian Picollo is my brother`s friend`s grandfather.

Kid Who ...
teen, 14 years old
 
A great family movie, though very sad.
I love this movie, best sports film of all time. Yes very sad at the end, but just amazing, you have to see it.

hjkl
adult
 
I cried!
I really like this heart-wrenching movie about Brian Piccolo.

Ready2Go
kid, 12 years old
 
I Guess It Was OK, But....
This movie was not bad. There was nothing wrong with it. But the thing is, it was so BORING! I don't know, it could be just the comedy/action lover I am, but it didn't really break that shell. I didn't cry. But this is such a sad movie! And I cry so easily in movies! For example, in Tangled, I've seen the movie three times, and I've cried every one of them! And that movie wasn't that sad! But I will say one more thing for all of you guys and gals who love this movie: I'M NOT SAYING THIS MOVIE IS BAD.The only point I'm putting across is that this movie will not appeal to kids my age. Thats all. But, if you think that this will be something that you will enjoy, I think that you should definantly watch it.

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