loading...
The Natural
1984
Farm boy Roy Hobbs (Robert Redford) is the best baseball player anyone has ever seen. His bat, handmade from the wood of a tree felled by lightning following the death of his father, is magic in his hands. But before his career can start, the mysterious Harriet Bird (Barbara Hershey) inexplicably shoots him, sidelining him for .. Read more
| Starring | Robert Redford, Robert Duvall, Glenn Close, Kim Basinger |
|---|---|
| Director | Barry Levinson |
| Genres | Drama |
loading...
The Natural
Farm boy Roy Hobbs (Robert Redford) is the best baseball player anyone has ever seen. His bat, handmade from the wood of a tree felled by lightning following the death of his father, is magic in his hands. But before his career can start, the mysterious Harriet Bird (Barbara Hershey) inexplicably shoots him, sidelining him for more than a decade. Fifteen years later, Hobbs returns to play for the New York Knights, whose coach, Pop Fisher (Wilfred Brimley), begrudgingly accepts the aging rookie as a member of the team. Pop is as surprised as the rest of the team when Hobbs knocks the ball out of the park time and again and can still play a mean outfield as well. However, when the politics of the business side of the game get in the way, Hobbs has to make some life-changing decisions. Meanwhile, he becomes involved with Memo Paris (Kim Basinger), a sultry siren with her own agenda. Glenn Close plays Iris, the hometown girl whom Hobbs left behind but never forgot. Director Barry Levinson (DINER, RAIN MAN) manages to re-create the excitement of old-time baseball while telling an all-American tale of success and failure, based on the novel by Bernard Malamud.
| Starring | Robert Redford, Robert Duvall, Glenn Close, Kim Basinger, Barbara Hershey |
|---|---|
| Director | Barry Levinson |
| Studio | SONY PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 58 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Drama |
| Language | English |
| Dubbed | French, German, Italian, Spanish |
| Released | DVD: 28 May 2001 Production year: 1984 |
| Format | DVD |
-
Critics' reviews (4)
View all -
Based on Bernard Malamud's 1952 novel, this is a wistful and often memorable look at the world of baseball by Diner and Rain Man director Barry Levinson. Robert Redford is at his beautiful best as the player who experiences the highs and lows of the game, and of relationships. (This is one of the many American movies that equates their national sport with the biggest ball game of all — life.) This is more Field of Dreams than Bull Durham: baseball here is seen as something magical — Redford has a mystical bat named “Wonderboy”, which he fashioned from a tree struck by lightning — rather than merely a sport. If you can suspend disbelief and let yourself be drawn into the movie, you'll be rewarded with an emotional and heart-warming experience that will have you cheering.
-
Curious attempt to modernize the King Arthur legend, with a baseball bat substituting for Excalibur and hints of magic everywhere. A generally mystifying if occasionally an attractive experience.
-
Most helpful member's review
View all -
7 out of 7 people found this review helpful
Hobbs, he swings...oh my!
The Natural is a great Redford film yet remains largely undiscoverd in the UK. In it, he assumes the role of baseball player Roy Hobbs, who has a 'natural' gift for the game and seems set to become the next Babe Ruth. However, Hobbs' career is mysteriously cut short at an early age.
The story takes hold when Hobbs returns to his beloved sport and transforms the fortunes of the New York Knights. From there on in, it's tension, intrigue, romance, home runs and plenty of those scenes that send a tingling down your spine - thanks largely to the excellent soundtrack.
There's a big American 'feel-good factor' to this film but it gets away with it. Well worth a watch whether you're a baseball fan or not! -
Most recent members' review
View all -
Superb!
One of my favourite films!
-
More like this
View all
Related user collection
Acid Westerns (9)
86.6% from 3 members
