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Science Fiction Movie: Rollerball (1975)James Caan, Maud Adams, John Houseman Star in Futuristic Film
James Caan stars as superstar athlete Jonathan E. in director Norman Jewison's 1975 sci-fi classic, Rollerball. Maud Adams, John Houseman, John Beck appear in support.
Warner Bros'. Rollerball came screaming into movie theaters in 1975. Starring muscular, athletic James Caan, Rollerball proved to be one of the wildest science fiction movies of the 1970s. Jon-a-than! Jon-a-than! William Harrison's Roller Ball MurderRollerball is based on the short story "Roller Ball Murder" by William Harrison. A professor of English and Creative Writing, Harrison had gotten the idea for his story after watching an especially brutal basketball game at the University of Arkansas. "Roller Ball Murder" first appeared in the September 1973 issue of Esquire. It was later contained in a collection of 13 short stories by Harrison titled Roller Ball Murder (Morrow, 1974). Rollerball Screenplay, Director, MusicWilliam Harrison adapted his own Pulitzer Prize-nominated story for United Artists. Norman Jewison directed and Andre Previn coordinated the film's soundtrack, which features selections by Tchaikovsky, Bach, Shostakovich and Albinoni. Rollerball CastJames Caan plays Jonathan E. Caan had been cast in the starring role after Norman Jewison had spied him as doomed Chicago Bears running back Brian Piccolo in Brian's Song (1971). Other cast members include John Houseman (Mr. Bartholomew), Maud Adams (Ella), John Beck (Moonpie), Moses Gunn (Cletus), Pamela Hensley (Mackie) and Barbara Trentham (Daphne). Filming LocationsRollerball was filmed in Europe, with the Olympic Basketball Arena in Munich serving as the venue for the wild gaming sequences. Munich residents occupied the fenced-in bleachers, playing the rabid, bloodthirsty spectators. Munich's futuristic-looking BMW Building and Museum doubled as the headquarters for the fictional Energy Corporation. Pinewood Studios in England served as the movie's in-house filming locale. Rollerball Movie 1975Rollerball is set in the year 2018, where large, multinational corporations comprise the new world order. One of these ruling entities is the Energy Corporation, headed by the powerful Mr. Bartholomew. Rollerball, an ultra-violent sport owned by the corporations, has replaced war as an outlet for the citizenry's anti-social tendencies. Clad in padded uniforms, helmets and spiked gloves, the players traverse an oval track on roller skates and motorcycles, battling each other as they attempt to deposit a metal ball into a magnetic goal. Rollerball is played internationally, with teams representing such cities as Houston, New York, Madrid, Rome, Manila, Pittsburgh and Tokyo. The reigning international star is the fabled Jonathan E., whose popularity and individualism is eventually viewed as a threat to the corporate global state. Release, ReviewsRollerball was released on June 25, 1975. "There's really not much more serious violence here than in a good Three Stooges comedy..." reported Sports Illustrated (7/7/75). Film AnalysisRollerball, which did lackluster business at the box office in 1975, has emerged as a cult science fiction classic. The movie's theme -- corporate world dominance wedded to sport -- plays especially well today. Indeed, the movie's business tone is set early, as all are asked to rise for the playing of "our Corporate Anthem" before the start of a rollerball game. There's plenty of action, with our fearless gladiators engaging in a souped-up game that combines elements of roller derby, football, hockey, lacrosse and motocross. Rugged James Caan is especially good as the David Beckham/LeBron James of his day, with John Beck delivering a standout performance as Caan's up-and-coming sidekick Moonpie. Rollerball was remade in 2002, but it's the original 1975 film that gets the competitive juices flowing. Rollerball 1975 DVDRollerball is available on DVD (MGM, 1998). "Plastic surgery keeps me beautiful," Moonpie tells a reporter. Yeah, but will it keep him alive?
The copyright of the article Science Fiction Movie: Rollerball (1975) in Sci-Fi/Fantasy Films is owned by William J. Felchner. Permission to republish Science Fiction Movie: Rollerball (1975) in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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