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The Rewatchables ·

Rollerball

year 1975decade 70sdirector Norman Jewisongenre Science fictiongenre Sports
host Bill Simmonshost Brian Koppelmanproducer Craig Horlbeck theme One-Word Movie Month
All 35 categories

The Coach Finstock Award for Best Life Lesson · 1:28:12

Corporate society is inevitable

Bill Simmons: The chosen lesson repeats Bartholomew's claim that corporate society is inevitable.

The film

Rollerball (1975)

Directed by Norman Jewison · Science fiction

129

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Cast

Selected cast credits · Film reference

James Caan Jonathan E
John Houseman Mr. Bartholomew
Maud Adams Ella
John Beck 'Moonpie'
Moses Gunn Cletus
Ralph Richardson The Librarian
John Normington Ballard
Shane Rimmer Rusty
Burt Kwouk Tokyo Doctor
Nancy Bleier Girl In Library
Richard LeParmentier Bartholomew's Aide
Robert Ito Houston Strategy Coach

Everything from the episode

In the order the hosts got to it. Open a row for the discussion.

13:07

The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award

James Caan gives a fascinating sports performance that alternates between athletic charisma and sleepy line readings.

James Caan gives a fascinating sports performance that alternates between athletic charisma and sleepy line readings.

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 00:13:07Read transcript
  • One host calls James Caan's work his favorite performance in a sports movie that can be great in one minute and terrible in the next. — Bill Simmons
  • Caan is praised for looking like a credible athlete and carrying an elite athlete's mystique and charisma. — Brian Koppelman
  • The sleepy delivery is interpreted as a man lulled by a world that supplies his house, partner, and money while he comes alive during the sport. — Brian Koppelman
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38:06

Most Rewatchable Scene

The opening game, dystopian party, Tokyo game, final, and Jonathan-Bartholomew argument form the field.

The opening game, dystopian party, Tokyo game, final, and Jonathan-Bartholomew argument form the field.

In the discussion (7)
Approx. transcript time · 00:38:06Read transcript
  • The opening credits, pregame warmups, corporate anthem, and first Houston-Madrid game are proposed together as a rewatchable opening sequence. — Bill Simmons
  • The opening game is praised for making the invented sport understandable through wide shots, close-ups, scoring, and Moonpie's swooper role. — Bill Simmons
  • Jonathan's team lecture and the interview that introduces his scoring and injury records are added as scene candidates. — Bill Simmons
  • The futuristic party is praised for revealing designer-drug use, assigned relationships, social control, and casual environmental destruction without exposition. — Brian Koppelman
  • The Houston-Tokyo game is nominated for its no-penalties premise, escalating violence, ball-to-the-head impact, and Moonpie's injury. — Brian Koppelman
  • Jonathan erasing Ella's videos during their breakup is proposed as another rewatchable scene. — Brian Koppelman
  • The final against New York is nominated for its no-penalties setup, attrition, strategy, and Jonathan's survival. — Bill Simmons
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55:59

The most 1975 thing

The 1975 future lacks phones and internet, features a centralized computer, and lets Caan hit a heavy bag bare-handed.

The 1975 future lacks phones and internet, features a centralized computer, and lets Caan hit a heavy bag bare-handed.

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 00:55:59Read transcript
  • The women's distinctly mid-1970s styling is proposed as the clearest period marker. — Bill Simmons
  • The future's lack of cell phones and internet, despite its centralized computer, is proposed as a 1975 conception of technology. — Bill Simmons
  • Allowing James Caan to hit a heavy bag bare-handed is selected as an unsafe 1970s production detail. — Brian Koppelman
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56:58

What’s Aged the Best?

The invented sport, corporate critique, production design, pills, violence, and Enberg's call

The invented sport, corporate critique, production design, pills, violence, and Enberg's call

In the discussion (6)
Approx. transcript time · 00:56:58Read transcript
  • The convincing design of Rollerball as a playable sport is the first Aged Best choice. — Bill Simmons
  • John Houseman's villain, the bright interiors, enormous televisions, pills, empty cityscape, and tracksuits are praised as durable parts of the imagined future. — Bill Simmons
  • The film's corporate-control metaphor and prediction of corporate branding are judged more resonant over time. — Brian Koppelman
  • Book censorship and erased history are singled out as ideas that have aged well. — Bill Simmons
  • The film's anticipation of football violence is identified as another element that aged well. — Bill Simmons
  • Dick Enberg's game commentary is praised as an enduring strength. — Bill Simmons
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1:03:33

The Great Shot Gordo Award for Most Cinematic Shot

Moonpie’s helmet removal and the ball striking a player’s head

Moonpie’s helmet removal and the ball striking a player’s head

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:03:33Read transcript
  • Jonathan scoring against Tokyo with fans visible behind the glass is nominated for its 1970s-hockey feel. — Bill Simmons
  • Moonpie's helmet removal after his injury is proposed as another visual choice. — Bill Simmons
  • The ball striking a player's head wins because the impact remains vivid decades later. — Bill Simmons
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1:04:37

The Butch’s Girlfriend Award for the Weakest Link in the Film

The corporation's convoluted effort to remove Jonathan and the blonde girlfriend

The corporation's convoluted effort to remove Jonathan and the blonde girlfriend

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:04:37Read transcript
  • The corporation's elaborate attempt to force Jonathan out is questioned when it could instead have removed him quietly. — Bill Simmons
  • The blonde girlfriend and her confrontation with Jonathan are criticized as a weak part of the film. — Brian Koppelman
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1:05:53

What’s Aged the Worst?

Domestic violence, racist Tokyo material, CTE, and the 2002 remake

Domestic violence, racist Tokyo material, CTE, and the 2002 remake

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:05:53Read transcript
  • Jonathan nearly hurting the blonde girlfriend is identified as a poorly aged moment. — Bill Simmons
  • The stereotyped treatment of the Tokyo team is criticized as racist. — Bill Simmons
  • The sport's brain-injury implications are judged to have aged badly. — Bill Simmons
  • The 2002 Rollerball remake is called one of the worst remakes and evidence that the property aged badly. — Bill Simmons
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1:09:39

The Ruffalo / Hanna / Rubinek / Partridge Overacting Award

The coach and Jonathan's ex firing the weapon are the nominees.

The coach and Jonathan's ex firing the weapon are the nominees.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:09:39Read transcript
  • The Houston coach's intensity is nominated for the overacting award. — Bill Simmons
  • Jonathan's former partner firing the incendiary weapon with an exaggerated expression is the other nominee. — Brian Koppelman
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1:10:29

The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award

Rollerball is better and more accurate than The Parallax View

Rollerball is better and more accurate than The Parallax View

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:10:29Read transcript
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1:11:44

The Joey Pants “That Guy” Award

Moses Gunn

Moses Gunn

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:11:44Read transcript
  • Moses Gunn is selected for his familiar supporting presence and his work in Shaft and television. — Bill Simmons
  • John Beck is also considered because the hosts recognize him from his long run on Dallas. — Bill Simmons
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1:12:09

The Dion Waiters Award for Best Heat Check Performance

Maud Adams

Maud Adams

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:12:09Read transcript
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1:15:20

Apex Mountain

Caan near his apex; invented fictional sports, burning pine trees, and making roller skating look cool: yes

Caan near his apex; invented fictional sports, burning pine trees, and making roller skating look cool: yes

In the discussion (8)
Approx. transcript time · 01:15:20Read transcript
  • James Caan is placed near his career apex because of his recent run, star status, and the film's commercial performance. — Bill Simmons
  • Rollerball wins the apex for invented fictional sports over Dodgeball. — Bill Simmons
  • Dick Enberg's film apex is rejected in favor of Heaven Can Wait. — Bill Simmons
  • Maud Adams is tentatively placed at her apex here because she was also a major model. — Bill Simmons
  • Norman Jewison's apex is debated among In the Heat of the Night, Moonstruck, and his late-1960s run. — Bill Simmons
  • Houston's sports-city apex is debated against the Hakeem Olajuwon Rockets and the Dan Pastorini-Earl Campbell era. — Bill Simmons
  • John Beck's apex is assigned to his sixty episodes of Dallas, and John Houseman's to The Paper Chase. — Bill Simmons
  • The film wins apexes for burning pine trees and for making roller skating look cool. — Bill Simmons
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1:17:29

Cruise or Hanks?

Tom Cruise as Jonathan

Tom Cruise as Jonathan

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:17:29Read transcript
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1:21:10

Sequel, Prequel, Limited Series, or All-Black Remake

A prestige series

A prestige series

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:21:10Read transcript
  • A prestige television adaptation is endorsed because the political and corporate world could support a contemporary series. — Bill Simmons
  • The failed remake is blamed for scaring people away from the property. — Bill Simmons
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1:21:41

Is This Movie Better With…?

Norm Macdonald and John Cazale

Norm Macdonald and John Cazale

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:21:41Read transcript
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1:23:29

Just One Oscar

Production design

Production design

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:23:29Read transcript
  • Production design wins the film's single Oscar for creating the future and arena. — Bill Simmons
  • Stunt work is proposed as an alternative once the panel notes that the award now exists. — Bill Simmons
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1:27:58

What Piece of Memorabilia Would You Want From This Movie?

Jonathan's number-six jersey, glove, motorcycle, and a used ball

Jonathan's number-six jersey, glove, motorcycle, and a used ball

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:27:58Read transcript
  • Jonathan's orange number-six jersey is the primary memorabilia choice. — Bill Simmons
  • A glove is proposed as another collectible. — Bill Simmons
  • A motorcycle used in the sport is proposed as another collectible. — Bill Simmons
  • A battered Rollerball is proposed as another collectible. — Bill Simmons
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1:28:12

The Coach Finstock Award for Best Life Lesson

Corporate society is inevitable

Corporate society is inevitable

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:28:12Read transcript
  • The chosen lesson repeats Bartholomew's claim that corporate society is inevitable. — Bill Simmons
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1:29:34

Who Won the Movie?

James Caan

James Caan

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:29:34Read transcript
Podcast choices
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1:31:17

Most Rewatchable Scene

The Jonathan–Bartholomew argument during the tree-burning party

The Jonathan–Bartholomew argument during the tree-burning party

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:31:17Read transcript
  • Producer Craig selects Jonathan's argument with Bartholomew during the tree-burning party as his most rewatchable scene. — Craig Horlbeck
  • Craig also praises the party as the film's most interesting sequence. — Craig Horlbeck
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Mentions across The Rewatchables

Recorded movie reference

Breaking Away

The Rewatchables · aired June 11, 2024

Seventies sports pyramid; 1979 domestic box-office list (twelve named)

Transcript time unavailableRead transcript
Source 1