61*

US, 2001, 116 minutes, Colour.

Barry Pepper, Thomas and Jane, Anthony Michael Hall, Richard Mansell, Bruce McGill, Chris Bauer, Jennifer Crystal Foley, Christopher McDonald, Bob Gunderson, Donald Moffat, Joe Griffis sea, Peter Jacobson, Seymour Cassell, Robert Joy, Michael Nouri, Renee Taylor, Pat Crowley.

Directed by Billy Crystal.

In the film of his autobiographical stage presentation, 700 Days, Billy Crystal expatiates on his love for baseball, his childhood experiences, growing up, going to matches, playing… So, it is no surprise to find that he has directed this film, baseball in 1961, Babe Ruth and his record, the attempts to break the record by the two rivals, Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle.

The main sympathy is for Roger Marris, played by Barry Pepper, who is a good player but not always popular with the team. There are scenes of his family life, his children, his wife, the tensions. There are scenes of practice, of matches. Thomas Jane plays Mickey Mantle, the expected champion, his personality, relationship with Roger Marris, the baseball authorities, expectations,, the rivalry to break Babe Ruth’s record. There is regret that Roger Marris was not honoured so well in his lifetime.

Which means that the film is a good sports film, but certainly is limited at times to baseball fans, American fans who appreciate the game, who know the history.

1. The impact of this film in its time? Admiration for Billy crystal? For his perceptions on baseball? Memories of 1961 and the breaking of babe Ruth’s record?
2. The atmosphere of 1961, costumes, décor, cars…? The musical score, songs?
3. Audience knowledge of baseball, the history of baseball, 1961, big names of Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle…?
4. The framework of Pat Marris, watching the television, her children of the game, Maguire and his breaking Roger Marris’s record? The memories of the past?
5. The baseball sequences, for fans, for those not appreciating the fine points of the game, pitching, hitting, running, home runs? The baseball ethos in the US? The heroes, records? Babe Ruth and his record, his being honoured, the clerk, his wife coming to give the award to Roger Marris in 1961? Her not wanting her husband’s record broken, upset, coming to the match, the discussions with Pat? Ford Frick? Authority in the baseball world? Is trying to prevent the record being broken, adding the*to 61? His watching the games, frustrations, anti-Roger Marris?
6. The range of all authorities, meetings, discussions, plans, programming? The discussions with the coach, with the players?
7. The media, the range of reporters, familiarity with baseball, playing it or not, the pressure on Mantle and Marris, the sensational stories, photos, innuendos and insinuations, critical? The role of the Yankees staff to protect from the journalists? Milt, his support of Marris, upset at being stood up, yet continued support? And Simon, his hostility, his bets against the records being broken?
8. Roger Marris, Barry Pepper’s performance, from North Dakota, his father and brother, family traditions, his skills, being picked up, training, selection, with the Yankees? Winning the award for 1960? His home life, the children, the scenes with his wife and daughters, the birth, unable to be present, going home, his joy?
9. Marris and his skills, home runs, fielding? The response of the public? The press? His not smiling, is being condemned? His being bewildered? The impact of reading the papers? New
10. Mickey Mantle, older, from Oklahoma, his background, career, success, stories about his wanting to give up at the beginning, so young, inexperienced? The clash with Joe DiMaggio, his being upset, DiMaggio coming to meet him? His skill and reputation, popularity? On the field? Of the field, family, philandering, drinking? His relationship with the authorities?
11. The coach, support, single-minded, standing up to the authorities, supportive of his players?
12. The competition for 1961, the Yankees and the possibility for winning? But attention coming to the breaking of Babe Ruth’s record? The progress over the year, run by run, each taking the lead? The impact for the public? The support of Mantle? The growing hostility towards Marris? Threat to kidnap his children? The hostile mail, death threats? The performance at the match and the hostile fan throwing the still? The overall impact?
13. Mantle, luxury at the hotel, Marinus and Bobby and their friendship, support, getting the apartment, Mantle living with them, under control?
14. The film is a film about friendship, the strong bond between the two men, supporting each other, boarding with each other, the clashes, mantle and his injuries, his arm, the injection and the wound, Roger support?
15. The buildup to the end of the competition, Roger losing his skill, hitting the 60^th run? Into the competition? It is set hitting the 61^st? The response of the crowd?
16. Pat, at home, supportive, the birth of the child, with the family, the glamour photo and her being upset, coming to support him, cheering him on? Mrs Ruth?
17. Roger Marris and his achievement, never living up to the success of 1961, his death? The later changing of the rules and acknowledging that he had broken the record?
18. A satisfying baseball film, friendship film, piece of Americana, for fans and for those who do not quite understand baseball?