Brian's Song (1971) (TV)

Director:

Buzz Kulik

Writers:

Gale Sayers (book) and
Al Silverman (book) ...

Release Date:

30 November 1971 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama | Sport

Tagline:

An inspiring true story of friendship and courage.

Plot:

Based on the real-life relationship between teammates Brian Piccolo and Gale Sayers and the bond established when Piccolo discovers that he is dying.

Plot Keywords:

Professional Sports | Archive Footage | Friendship | Nfl | 1960s

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 7 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

James Caan	...	Brian Piccolo
Billy Dee Williams	...	Gale Sayers
Jack Warden	...	Coach George Halas
Bernie Casey	...	J.C. Caroline
Shelley Fabares	...	Joy Piccolo
David Huddleston	...	Ed McCaskey
Judy Pace	...	Linda Sayers
Abe Gibron	...	Abe Gibron
Jack Concannon	...	Jack Concannon
Ed O'Bradovich	...	Ed O'Bradovich
The Chicago Bears Players	...	Themselves
The Chicago Bears Coaches	...	Themselves
The Chicago Bears Staff	...	Themselves
Harold 'Happy' Hairston	...	Veteran Player #1 (as Happy Hairston)
Ron Feinberg	...	Veteran Player #2 (Doug Atkins)

Runtime:

73 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

UK:PG | USA:G | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Company:

Screen Gems Television

Trivia:

Released theatrically after its successful TV showings.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Sayers gets out of the cab, he picks up the ball. His position relative to the fence post changes. Also, the tail of his coat is flipped up.

Quotes:

Brian Piccolo: So, Concannon calls this trap play, and it's just beautiful... 43 yards, wasn't it 43? Ah. So, Halas sees he's tired, and sends me in, so I go in, he comes out.
Brian Piccolo: Concannon then figures he's gonna get REALLY foxy... you know, Concannon is... So, he says, "Um, same play. VERY SAME PLAY."
Brian Piccolo: Now, a trap play is also called, a SUCKER play, because it makes the defense look REAL bad when it works. Now, defenses DO NOT like to look real bad, see... it makes 'em kinda surly...
Brian Piccolo: So, anyway, all the linemen go this way, and it's like I am lookin' at a team portrait of the Los Angeles Rams! "Hey, Deacon! Merlin! How's the family, Rosey?"

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Family Guy: Movin' Out (Brian's Song) (#6.2)" (2007)

An inspiring story of friendship and love...

I just love this movie! It is a story of 2 men--Gale and Brian...2 unlikely people to become the best of friends...The actors were well cast--James Caan and Billy Dee Sayers fit their roles to a tee. It is a film not only of friendship but also of love...a film of triumph of the human spirit. It is a story that transcends time and overcomes barriers to relationships, whatever they might be--racial, religious, or political. It challenges the viewer to assess his/her own prejudices and why it must be overcome. It is as timely as it was when it was first shown. A real winner but be prepared with a box of Kleenex when watching this very touching film. I saw a remake of this film quite recently but I think the original movie was much better than the remake.