Rollerball on DVD (1975)

I liked it. A lot.

Daniel Fox from Manchester, Uk , 26/03/2004

I liked this very much. I found it slightly over long but not unbearably so. And I enjoyed the story. I thought it a clever film about violence and bloodlust, vaguely prophetic without being preachy or implausible or stupid. Arguably a piece of science fiction though - like all the best work in that genre - ultimately humanistic.

'I thought that violence for the entertainment of the masses was an obscene idea. That's what I saw coming and that's why I made the film,' says director Norman Jewison.

The best thing about the film is how dated it looks. The retro-futurism is pretty cool and the backdrops and clothes are invariably a pleasure to watch.

Hammer Horror staple Ralph Richardson makes a brief guest appearance. He?s very good. Ultimately though, Caan carries the film supported by a vaguely creepy John Houseman.

The action sequences are pretty bone crunching and - if you get the chance - the documentary that accompanies the film on the DVD is well worth a watch. It debunks some myths about the movie ? no, no one died in the making of it, though there were a few broken bones amongst cast and crew. It also explains some of the thinking behind the story. It certainly enriched my enjoyment of the film.

Unfortunately there's no interview with Caan although almost everyone else involved talks freely and at length.

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A load of metal balls?

Clucky from Cardiff, Wales , 18/06/2004

The world is no longer defined by nations, large corporations have replaced national governments, war is obsolete and men beat each other to a pulp whilst roller-skating. This was the bizarre ?futuristic? vision of author William Harrison in 1975 whose short story this film was adapted from. Instead of violence the public watches Rollerball a game that incorporates aspects of ice hockey, speedway and basketball.

The film focuses on the struggle between James Caan, a player who has obtained God-like status amongst the public and the Executive board who view his increasing popularity has a threat to their powerful influence. After refusing to stand down quietly the board decides that the only way to remedy the problem is to either force him out or to substitute from the game?.permanently.

Those involved in this film obviously intended it to pose deep philosophical questions about man?s inherent relationship with violence and the dangers of unrestricted corporate power. However, the film is essentially a B-movie at heart and the attempted sociology commentary merely acts as unnecessary padding. The only entertaining moments are during the actual games themselves and when the film pops up kitsch 70s ?futuristic? deco and lounge music.

Overall this is an average film that may appeal to fans of 70s cinema and fans of James Caan who provides a decent performance. 3 out 5

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A chilling vision of the future of sport

Simon Pearce from Sevenoaks , 08/08/2004

I had not seen this film since I was a teenager more than 20 years ago. I expected it have dated considerably over the years, but I was very pleasantly surprised that Norman Jewison's vision of a disturbing distopian future was more chilling now that it was then.

The story is set in 2018. Society has changed beyond recognition - individual nations have crumbled into dust and society is controlled and dictated by a small number of huge multinational corporations. Between them, these 'majors' provide the citizens with their every need but in return demand unquestioning obedience in all things no matter how trivial.

Rollerball is the opiate of the masses in this future. The corporations devised the game as an exercise in demonstrating to the public the futility of individual effort and aspiration.

James Caan plays Jonathan E. who for 10 years has been the sports shining light. However, the success could be his downfall as Jonathan's reputation threatens to become bigger than the game itself and is not sending the message that the corporations want - they fear his popularity.

Bartholomew, played by John Houseman, is tasked with persudaing Jonathan to quit the sport, a path which leads him to confront the full truth of the society which begat him.

Technically this is an innovative film. The action shots are painstakingly directed and captured by Douglas Slocombe the cinematographer. The game itself has obviously been the subject of much thought and discussion between Jewison and the screenwriter William Harrison.

This attention to detail and the quality performances by Caan and Houseman, contribute to make this a fascinating and believable story.

If you enjoyed the film, the DVD also contains a fascinating documentary, marred only by the absence of the two stars.

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Awesome

Terror from cambridgeshire , 02/03/2005

Why do they bother remaking films that they just can't compete with - this film is an absolute classic - Jonathon rules!

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Punk rock American Football

AlPhilp from London , 12/04/2005

Fundamentally the lure of this film is the gladiatorial combat of the game itself.

There is a soul to the film somewhere but I just can’t quite put my finger where it is. Certainly James Caan is good but perhaps not charismatic enough to be the Rollerball Messiah that he plays, the future world that we see looks pretty tedious and now very old hat and the man versus corporate hegemony element doesn’t really get developed in a satisfactory way.

Possibly the problem here is the clash of high brow (corporate globalism versus the individual, the chaos of humanity versus sterile order) and the low brow (blood spurting heads rolling ass kicking “sport”); a film can be one or the other but it is very difficult to be both at the same time.

Having said that the use of Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D-Minor is possibly the best use of non original score I’ve ever seen or heard, the game sequences are engrossing and the distopian corporate future is close enough to make one feel uneasy. Funnily enough though it made me want to go and watch Slapshot for some similar pro-sport brutality.

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Underrated futuristic cult movie

Dirigible from Lothian , 11/02/2005

This film in not an all-time classic, that much I’ll agree on - but it is draped in seamless futuristic style (now applaudably retro!) and delivers a thoughtful mix of violence and 'society gone bad' appeal.

James Cann delivers a strong performance by doing what he does best – not talking very much - but this fits the style perfectly, as the whole film is much more of a social observation than a narrative.

Curiously violent yet staid, this is well worth a watch. Fans of the old computer game 'Speedball' will love it, as will people who like combinations of brown and orange. Wear an old digital watch and an NFL helmet whilst you watch it to get the best out of it.

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