The Jackie Robinson Story
1950s biopic feel naive, but Robinson plays himself.
The Jackie Robinson Story
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that The Jackie Robinson Story is a dramatization of the life of the famous baseball player. The biography is forthright about the racial issues that factored into Robinson's challenges and successes, but inevitably appears somewhat naive by today's standards.
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What's the Story?
Jackie Robinson plays himself in THE JACKIE ROBINSON STORY, a baseball biopic that chronicles Robinson's story from his college days as a UCLA sports star to a stint in the Army and his success in the Negro Baseball League. Intent on integrating baseball, Branch Rickey -- the general manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers -- brings Robinson on to a minor league team. Robinson endures racism for two years, and Rickey puts him in the big league in 1947. Robinson helps the Dodgers win the championship, paving the way for integration.
Is It Any Good?
This neglected gem about the first black baseball player to play in the major leagues might feel dated, but it's great to see the real Jackie Robinson on screen, with Ruby Dee playing his wife. The Jackie Robinson Story is forthright about the racial issues, but inevitably appears somewhat naive by today's standards.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about other sports figures who have overcome prejudice. What other kinds of discrimination have athletes faced over time?
How realistic a depiction of Robinson's history do you think The Jackie Robinson Story is? Does the fact that Robinson plays himself make it feel more accurate? How would this movie be different if it was made today?
Movie Details
- In theaters: May 16, 1950
- On DVD or streaming: March 6, 2001
- Cast: Jackie Robinson, Minor Watson, Ruby Dee
- Director: Alfred E. Green
- Studio: Legend Films
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Sports and Martial Arts, Great Boy Role Models, History
- Run time: 76 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: March 19, 2023
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