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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.

36:50

Roger Ebert's review
In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 00:36:50Read transcript
  • Vincent Canby's review is described as dismissing the film as frivolous rather than satire. — Bill Simmons
  • Gene Siskel is reported to have awarded two stars and called the film vapid, pretentious, and arrogant. — Bill Simmons
  • Roger Ebert is reported to have awarded three and a half stars, although the panel could not find his review online. — Bill Simmons
  • James Caan is reported to have rated Rollerball eight out of ten while saying the character gave him little to do. — Bill Simmons
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1:13:01

Recasting Couch

Gene Hackman is proposed as the coach; Burt Reynolds and Warren Beatty are considered for Jonathan.

Gene Hackman is proposed as the coach; Burt Reynolds and Warren Beatty are considered for Jonathan.

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:13:01Read transcript
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1:13:58

Half-Assed Internet Research

The Munich shoot, the unrealized video game, stunt injuries, and Devo's response

The Munich shoot, the unrealized video game, stunt injuries, and Devo's response

In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 01:13:58Read transcript
  • The production is recalled as having shot the arena material in Munich. — Bill Simmons
  • The episode notes that the film uses several operatic pieces whose details can be researched separately. — Bill Simmons
  • A planned 1998 Rollerball video game is reported to have been delayed before its publisher went bankrupt. — Bill Simmons
  • The production is reported to have caused major stunt injuries but no deaths. — Bill Simmons
  • Devo is reported to have responded to the film by writing a corporate anthem. — Bill Simmons
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1:18:38

Picking Nits

Unclear penalty rules and no gambling lines

Unclear penalty rules and no gambling lines

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:18:38Read transcript
  • The panel questions which violent acts count as penalties before the rules are removed. — Brian Koppelman
  • The film's failure to explain that violence is legal during play is criticized as requiring more commentary from the announcer. — Brian Koppelman
  • The absence of gambling lines is criticized despite the sport existing in a period with established sports betting. — Bill Simmons
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1:23:41

Probably Unanswerable Questions

Jonathan's surname, advanced statistics, possible androids, and team ownership

Jonathan's surname, advanced statistics, possible androids, and team ownership

In the discussion (6)
Approx. transcript time · 01:23:41Read transcript
  • The panel asks whether Jonathan E.'s surname might be Evans based on a line heard at the party. — Bill Simmons
  • The panel asks how advanced statistics would change strategy if Rollerball continued for another fifty years. — Bill Simmons
  • Injuring opponents and finding better swoopers are proposed as possible analytical advantages. — Brian Koppelman
  • Two lines prompt a theory that the players may be androids repeatedly rebuilt without knowing it. — Brian Koppelman
  • Moonpie's coma is raised as a possible flaw in the android theory. — Brian Koppelman
  • The panel asks whether the Dolan family owns New York's Rollerball team. — Bill Simmons
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1:28:38

Best Double Feature

Network and Enter the Dragon
Rollerball
Network
Enter the Dragon
The Longest Yard
In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:28:38Read transcript
  • Network is selected as the highbrow pairing because it connects media with sports and entertainment. — Brian Koppelman
  • Enter the Dragon is selected as a less-highbrow pairing associated with the same era. — Brian Koppelman
  • The Longest Yard is considered as a pairing of early great sports movies. — Bill Simmons
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1:32:04

Picking Nits

Producer Craig objects to the uniforms and to the players not looking like elite athletes.

Producer Craig objects to the uniforms and to the players not looking like elite athletes.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:32:04Read transcript
  • Craig calls the jerseys and helmets the worst-looking uniforms he has seen in a sport. — Craig Horlbeck
  • Craig objects that most of the players look like ordinary workers rather than elite athletes. — 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