Sports

61*

61* is an endearing ode to the baseball days of yore when the press was the enemy, salaries were in check, and breaking records with bat and glove took on Ruthian proportions. In 1961 baseball expanded its season from 154 games to 162, allowing weaker pitching into the major leagues and two New York Yankees teammates--the colorless Roger Maris and golden boy Mickey Mantle--to make an assault on the sport's ultimate record: Babe Ruth's 60 home runs. To add to the stew, baseball commissioner Ford Frick announced any record set in the last eight games of the season wouldn't count toward the official record; records had to be achieved in 154 games.

Director Billy Crystal guarantees success for his movie in the perfect casting of the leads. Barry Pepper (Saving Private Ryan's religious sniper) is deft as Maris, and Thomas Jane is a perfect Mantle, a superman in a Yankee uniform. Despite the differences between family man Maris and hard-living Mantle, they form a rewarding friendship amid the media and fan frenzy. The shy Maris took the brunt of the storm, even facing boo-birds in his home stadium. Crystal and first-time writer Hank Steinberg keep the pace moving quickly between the field, the locker room, the press box, and the home front. The film never tries to dazzle with more than the facts (and it softens Mantle up a bit), yet it belongs on the short list of grand baseball movies. --Doug Thomas

When It Was a Game - Triple Play Collection

This HBO documentary is based on a highly original idea: tell the story of baseball from the Great Depression era through the late 1950s using footage from home-movie cameras shot by fans and players. The result is a marvelous look at baseball in America as seen from the ground--the culture of stadiums, the ritual of afternoon games, the spiritually sustaining rivalries. Among the truly unexpected sights is color footage of the 1938 World Series, not only from inside the stadium walls but from the street as traffic cops, crowds, and vehicles amassed. It also covers World War II's impact on the game, and, of course, the heroes, often caught in relaxed, unselfconscious moments.

Arguably more defined and even more lyrical than its predecessor, When It Was a Game 2 moves from a general celebration of baseball culture in America to a specific focus on various facets of the game's history, including the special relationship between game announcers and fans and the farm-team system during the 1930s, '40s, and '50s. Brooklyn's assimilation of the Dodgers into their community identity is covered quite winningly as is the heartbreak of the team's desertion to California. Last, the film takes us on a tour of some of the game's legends and presents a touching tribute to the extraordinary Babe Ruth. --Tom Keogh

When It Was a Game 3 focuses on the 1960s, a time of change for all of America. Through sharp, incredibly clear color footage of players and fans, the film shows how Major League Baseball slowly but surely evolved from pure sport to moneymaking entertainment. Covering the mighty Yankees, the western expansion of both leagues, the increasing inclusion of black players, and the rise of free agency and increased salaries, the film shows the growth of baseball from adolescence to adulthood. --Rob Lightner

When It Was a Game (1991); When it Was a Game 2 (1992); When It Was a Game 3 (2000)

Do You Believe in Miracles? The Story of the 1980 U.S. Hockey Team

You don't need to know anything about hockey to be moved by this hourlong documentary about one of the greatest upsets in sports history: the United States' defeat of the vaunted Russian Olympic hockey team at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York. The film recounts the David vs. Goliath matchup between the Americans (essentially a group of college kids molded into a team by coach Herb Brooks, also the U.S. hockey coach in the 2002 Olympic games) and the Russians, professionals who had won four straight Olympic golds. The story is retold in interviews with the people who lived it, including Brooks and several of the American players, sportscaster Al Michaels (who uttered the title line as the game ended), and key Russian players. Do You Believe in Miracles? is a solid blend of sports and history that focuses on the human element in one of the great underdog victories of all time. --Marshall Fine

Babe Ruth - The Life Behind the Legend

Before Mark McGwire hit 70 home runs, before Roger Maris swatted 61, before Micky Mantle even touched a bat, and before Jackie Robinson played his first game, there was George Herman Ruth. The "Babe" was more than the best player ever to play baseball: he was a mythical American hero, larger than life and the sport that made his name known around the world. He was the most talented sportsman in an era when baseball was the national pastime. The story behind the emergence of Babe Ruth in the 1920s was one even the most talented minds in Hollywood couldn't have drummed up. As one humble teammate of Ruth's recalls in this excellent documentary, "If Babe Ruth had not existed, it would have been impossible to invent him." Babe Ruth: The Life Behind the Legend tells the story of the actual man--from his benevolent acts of charity to his mass consumption (of food and women). Exploring the difference between reality and myth, this touching, subtle biography goes beyond rational explanations into a metaphysical realm that defines the actions and popularity of this man as something not entirely comprehensible. You won't care whether he really did "call" that shot in the 1932 World Series or if he went straight from an all-night bender to go 3 for 4 against Chicago; it won't matter, because the reality eventually dilutes the myth. The facts speak for themselves: he won 90 games as a pitcher, had a lifetime average of .340, smashed his way to 714 home runs (often recording more homers in one season than entire teams). Ruth was greatness personified, "and to just be with him in a stadium, was like having some of that magic rub off on you." This is a splendid tribute to an important American icon who defined a game as well as an era. A must for any sports or history buff. --Jeremy Storey

Don King - Only in America

Made for HBO, this film biography of boxing promoter Don King is solid entertainment, thanks to a startlingly real performance at its core by Ving Rhames (who won a Golden Globe award for the role, then gave it away to Jack Lemmon on the TV broadcast). Rhames has the shuck-and-jive, but also the canny intelligence, as the film follows King from small-time numbers runner and concert promoter to ex-con to self-created fight mogul. The movie, based on a book by Jack Newfield, doesn't pull punches in outlining King's extralegal shenanigans and strong-arm tactics, bracketed by a device of having King address the audience from a boxing ring as he introduces episodes from his life. That could have gotten old, but not with the foxy, insinuating Rhames doing the talking. --Marshall Fine

From running members to "The Rumble In The Jungle." From Muhammad Ali to Joe Frazier Larry Holmes and Mike Tyson promoter Don King made millions and make millionaires making himself the biggest name in boxing since boxing began. But how he got there - making and breaking the law and anyone who got in his way - is the kind of stoy that could happen only in America. Don King is a hustler with dreams Anumbers runner in Cleveland guilty of manslaughter and killing in self-defense he soon builds himself a music and entertianment empire making a few friends and quite a few enemies along the way. When an introduction to Muhammad Ali in 1971 turns his life around he sets himself up as a boxing promoter with the single aim of making it to the big time. In pursuit of his great American dream he wouldn't always fight clean he wouldn't always fight fair but Don King would always fight to win.Running Time: 118 min.System Requirements:Running Time 112 MinFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA Rating: R UPC: 026359146923

When It Was a Game 3

Taking the viewer back to the old ball game, HBO celebrates America's pastime in the beautiful documentary When It Was a Game 3. Focusing on the 1960s, a time of change for all of America, the film shows how Major League Baseball slowly but surely evolved from pure sport to moneymaking entertainment. The sharp, incredibly clear color footage of players and fans is at times better looking than current sports photography, and the voiced-over reminiscences of stars such as Bob Costas and Billy Crystal evoke a different, more personal, sports experience from what we expect today. Covering the mighty Yankees, the western expansion of both leagues, the increasing inclusion of black players, and the rise of free agency and increased salaries, the film shows the growth of baseball from adolescence to adulthood. --Rob Lightner

When It Was A Game, the homerun series for baseball fans, returns for another glorious inning with an exciting and colorful new program narrated by Liev Schreiber: When It Was A Game 3. This retrospective look at the changing face of baseball in America takes on the 1960's, a time many believe was the last decade of baseball's innocence. Though Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris and the powerful New York Yankees led off the decade with four straight World Series appearances, by 1964 they were headed for the showers. With the integration of baseball, spearheaded by Jackie Robinson in 1947,, Black superstars fueled the sports growth and a fresh Latin presence brought a new spirit to the game. New names of the 60's that neighborhood kids had to have to have would include the likes of Willie Mays, Roberto Clemente, and Sandy Koufax. When It Was A Game 3 features never before seen home movies and vintage photographs with memorable storytelling that bring this incredible period to life. Interviews from the field include Tim McCarver, Hank Aaron, Frank Robinson, Bob Gibson and Juan Marachal and from the stands, fans and sport writers include Billy Crystal, Geraldo Rivera and Bob Costas.

When it Was a Game 2

Arguably more defined and even more lyrical than its predecessor (When It Was a Game), this HBO documentary moves from a general celebration of baseball culture in America to a specific focus on various facets of the game's history. Once again using footage compiled from the 8mm and 16mm collections that players and fans shot over decades, this sequel follows, among other things, the special relationship between game announcers and fans and takes a fascinating trip through the story of the farm-team system during the 1930s, '40s, and '50s (particularly the near-alternate world of the Coast League). There's also an enlightening sidebar about the old disparity of capital and profits among major-league teams (as opposed to the contemporary disparity), and about how each season's funding shortages took a toll on such lowly outfits as the Boston Braves and the St. Louis Browns. The working-class commonality of players and fans is examined, too: imagine taking the subway home from Ebbets Field and finding yourself looking back on the day's game with a Dodger outfielder. (It could, and often did, happen.) Brooklyn's assimilation of the Dodgers into their community identity, a story often told, is covered quite winningly here, as is the heartbreak of the team's desertion to sunny California. Closing in on its final minutes, the film takes us on a tour of some of the game's legends and presents a touching tribute to the extraordinary Babe Ruth. --Tom Keogh

Composed entirely of never-before-seen 8 and 16 mm footage filmed by the players their families and their fans between 1925 and 1961 When It Was A Game 2 brings many of the precious last moments and the men who lived them to life the way you remember them- in living color. See Joe DiMaggio and Ty Cobb Roy Campanella and Jackie Robinson Hank Aaron and Satchel Paige Willie Mays and unique footage of the great Babe Ruth along with some rare scenes of the young Chuck Connors and Tommy Lasorda in the Minor Leagues. These are the players - their's is the game- that won the hearts of America. Now you can see them as never before in original film footage that will transport you to a time gone by. Narrated by Peter Kessler with Ellen Bursytn Billy Crystal Joe Montegna Jack Palance Jason Robards and Roy Scheider you will never forget the experience but you can always treasure the magic of days gone by with When It Was A Game 2.Running Time: 59 min.System Requirements:Running Time 59 MinFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: SPORTS/GAMES Rating: NR UPC: 026359084324

When It Was a Game

The HBO documentary When It Was a Game (slightly shortened on DVD from the two-part VHS release) is based on a highly original idea: tell the story of baseball from the Great Depression era through the late 1950s using footage from home-movie cameras shot by fans and players. The result is a marvelous retelling of baseball in America as seen from the ground--the culture of stadiums, the ritual of afternoon games, the spiritually sustaining rivalries. Somewhat enthralled by the images at its disposal, the film has a way of almost stepping back from itself, waxing poetic at a sighting of the St. Louis Cardinals' "Gashouse Gang," or a glimpse of Bogart and Bacall in the stands, or the legendary contests between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. Among the truly unexpected sights is color footage of the 1938 World Series (Cubs versus Yanks), not only from inside the stadium walls but from the street as traffic cops, crowds, and vehicles amassed. Of course, there are the heroes, too, often caught in relaxed, unselfconscious moments through the lens of a teammate or a true believer in the bleachers. A great experience all around.

Arguably more defined and even more lyrical than its predecessor, the second installment of When It Was a Game moves from a general celebration of baseball culture in America to a specific focus on various facets of the game's history. Once again using footage compiled from the 8mm and 16mm collections that players and fans shot over decades, this sequel follows, among other things, the special relationship between game announcers and fans and takes a fascinating trip through the story of the farm-team system during the 1930s, '40s, and '50s (particularly the near-alternate world of the Coast League). The working-class commonality of players and fans is examined, too. Imagine taking the subway home from Ebbets Field and finding yourself looking back on the day's game with a Dodger outfielder. (It could, and often did, happen.) Brooklyn's assimilation of the Dodgers into their community identity, a story often told, is covered quite winningly here, as is the heartbreak of the team's desertion to sunny California. Closing in on its final minutes, the film takes us on a tour of some of the game's legends and presents a touching tribute to the extraordinary Babe Ruth. --Tom Keogh

These are the greats of baseball history, legends in their lifetime legends today. It's baseball as you've never seen it before the way you always imagined the way it was. When It Was a Game is composed entirely of 8 and 16 mm home movie footage taken by fans and the players themselves between 1934 and 1957. For the first time, star players and their stadiums step out of the black and white newsreel footage, and appear in living, breathing color. Players like Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Ty Cobb and Joe DiMaggio. Ballparks like Ebbets Field, Briggs Stadium, Crosley Field and Griffith Stadium. As time passed, baseball changed, some of the clubs, the parks, the players are no longer with us. But their memory is and the magic of those memories is brought vividly to life, in When It Was a Game.

Where Have You Gone, Joe DiMaggio?

Using never-before-seen footage and rare archival materials, this documentary about one of the most-beloved figures in baseball tells of Joe DiMaggio's early life in San Francisco, and of his entrance into the New York Yankees organization in 1936 at the tender age of 21. The familiar facts are covered (though it is always nice to see them again): his 56-game hitting streak, the nine World Series championships he helped attain, and his thrice-earned MVP status. DiMaggio's personal life is tastefully handled, too, including his bachelor years and his two marriages, the second a famous union to Marilyn Monroe. Drawing upon interviews with Bob Feller, Reggie Jackson, Pete Rose, George Bush, Mario Cuomo, and DiMaggio's teammates Jerry Coleman, Phil Rizzuto, and Tommy Henrich, the film creates a portrait of a hero who knew both greatness and tragedy on his path. An exciting homage, all around, and now that's he gone an important marker of American life in the 20th century. --Tom Keogh