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Rollerball

"In the not-too-distant future, wars will no longer exist. But there WILL be...The Game"

1975-06-25 Science Fiction 2hr 5m

In a corporate-controlled future, an ultra-violent sport known as Rollerball represents the world, and one of its powerful athletes is out to defy those who want him out of the game.

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Rollerball
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Storyline

In a corporate-controlled future, an ultra-violent sport known as Rollerball represents the world, and one of its powerful athletes is out to defy those who want him out of the game.

  • Released
    1975-06-25
  • Revenue
    $30,000,000
  • Budget
    n/a
  • Runtime
    2hr 5m
  • Genre
    Science Fiction, Action
  • Status
    Released
  • Language
    English
  • imdb-logo
    6.5
  • Production
    United Artists, Algonquin

Crew

Norman Jewison
Director
William Harrison
Screenplay
Norman Jewison
Producer
Keywords:
future sports dystopia games roller skating future sport

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Cast

James Caan

James Caan
Jonathan E.
John Houseman

John Houseman
Bartholomew
Maud Adams

Maud Adams
Ella
John Beck

John Beck
Moonpie
Moses Gunn

Moses Gunn
Cletus
Pamela Hensley

Pamela Hensley
Mackie
Barbara Trentham

Barbara Trentham
Daphne
John Normington

John Normington
Executive
Shane Rimmer

Shane Rimmer
Rusty, Team Executive
Burt Kwouk

Burt Kwouk
Japanese Doctor
Nancy Bleier

Nancy Bleier
Girl in Library
Richard LeParmentier

Richard LeParmentier
Bartholomew's Aide
Robert Ito

Robert Ito
Strategy Coach for Houston Team
Ralph Richardson

Ralph Richardson
Librarian
Valli Kemp

Valli Kemp
Woman at Party (uncredited)
Dick Enberg

Dick Enberg
Pregame Announcer (uncredited)
Tony Brubaker

Tony Brubaker
Blue (uncredited)
Burnell Tucker

Burnell Tucker
Jonathan's Captain of Guard (uncredited)
Angus MacInnes

Angus MacInnes
Jonathan's Guard
David Griffin

David Griffin
Man Collecting Coats

Videos and Photos

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Movie Reviews

Reviews for Rollerball
reviewer avatar

A Review by John Chard 7.5

Written by John Chard on 2014-12-29

2018… Norman Jewison and William Harrison expand Harrison’s short story into a full length feature film, with great results. Story takes ... read more

2018… Norman Jewison and William Harrison expand Harrison’s short story into a full length feature film, with great results. Story takes place in 2018 and the world is a global corporate state, a hegemony of six ruling cartels. There are no wars, poverty and etc, so the cartels provide the antidote to pent up frustrations with Rollerball, a bloodthirsty arena sport where no quarter is given or taken. But when the sports number one star, Jonathan E, becomes a free spirit and too big for the sport, the corporations aim to retire him… Headed by a superb James Caan as Jonathan, the performances are from the high end, the photography superb and the action during the games themselves is beautifully choreographed. The use of classical music to run concurrent with the themes in the narrative is smartly rendered to the tricksy plot, while the writing is sharp and deserving of the utmost attention from the viewer. It’s folly to suggest that when the film is away from the Rollerball ring it sags a touch, so patience is required and a respect of literate posturing is also expected to get the most out of it. A deft crafted dystopian sci-fier with literate smarts and lusty blood letting. 7.5/10

reviewer avatar

A Review by Geronimo1967 6

Written by Geronimo1967 on 2024-07-07

"Rollerball" is a violent, quickly paced and ruthless sport and "Jonathan E" (James Caan) is it's acclaimed hero. Dominant and popular, the ... read more

"Rollerball" is a violent, quickly paced and ruthless sport and "Jonathan E" (James Caan) is it's acclaimed hero. Dominant and popular, the crowd love him - but his boss "Bartholomew" (John Houseman) tells him it's time to retire. Their world is run by big corporations and these are not to be readily defied - but "Jonathan" isn't going to play ball. He is not going to sacrifice his fame, fortune and adulation without exacting some conditions of his own. One of which is that he be reunited by his wife (Maud Adams) who was apparently "reallocated" at the behest of another company bigwig. He also tries to find out just who is behind his dismissal - and why, and luckily has the help of "Cletus" (Moses Gunn) on that particular quest as his options narrow and "Bartholomew" becomes ever so slightly more menacing. The action scenes with the ball and skaters racing around the track is quite scintillating to watch with intense photography and plenty of high-speed tumbles, but the rest of it is all sort of "Logan's Run" with an Houseman who really only knew how to play one role. That worked well in the "Paper Chase" (1973) but here, it's just a bit underwhelming. Caan puts his heart and soul into the story, but there are too many holes in that to resonate beyond the obvious and rather undercooked swipe at a sterile authoritarianism that reminds us of the Nero and the Coliseum style of entertainment for the obedient (or else!) masses. It's fine - but nothing more.

Read Full Review (The thoughts and opinions expressed here are solely those of the reviewer.)
A Review by John Chard

2018… Norman Jewison and William Harrison expand Harrison’s short story into a full length feature film, with great results. Story takes place in 2018 and the world is a global corporate state, a hegemony of six ruling cartels. There are...

reviewer avatar

A Review by John Chard 7.5

Written by John Chard on 2014-12-29

2018… Norman Jewison and William Harrison expand Harrison’s short story into a full length feature film, with great results. Story takes place in 2018 and the world is a global corporate state, a h...

read more
reviewer avatar

A Review by Geronimo1967 6

Written by Geronimo1967 on 2024-07-07

"Rollerball" is a violent, quickly paced and ruthless sport and "Jonathan E" (James Caan) is it's acclaimed hero. Dominant and popular, the crowd love him - but his boss "Bartholomew" (John Houseman) ...

read more