Yes, this is an almost 50 year old made for TV film (hard to imagine but it is) and for it's time during the aftermath of much civil unrest in the USA, the film served it's purpose reflecting the will of two great athletes, Gayle Sayers and Brian Piccolo who although in real life, competed hard against each other on the gridiron, were able to put aside their differences and stay strong for one another as the lesser known Chicago Bears football running back Brian Piccolo was battling testicular cancer.
Not all films end up in a warm and fuzzy romantic embrace, or in this case a great sports achievement such as carrying the SuperBowl trophy over their shoulders. No, in this film, we witness how two real life tough as nails running backs for the NFL Chicago Bears accept one mans fate battling testicular cancer and work their butts off trying to defeat this evil of diseases, cancer.
The producers could not have selected two better actors such as James Caan (Brian Piccolo), Billy Dee Williams (Hall of Famer Gayle Sayers). Their chemistry on screen was undeniable, and the film has warmed many a man's (and women's) hearts through their spirit of giving and loving one another and the race card not being used.
It is a film I watched with my own sons, and soon enough I will have my grandchildren watching it as well as I own both DVD film versions (1971 & 2001 remake starring Mekhi Phifer, Sean Maher).
For a made for TV film it was one of the most anticipated true life stories brought to the television audience and remains one of the very best sports film ever. I give it a perfect 10 out of 10 IMDB rating.
Not all films end up in a warm and fuzzy romantic embrace, or in this case a great sports achievement such as carrying the SuperBowl trophy over their shoulders. No, in this film, we witness how two real life tough as nails running backs for the NFL Chicago Bears accept one mans fate battling testicular cancer and work their butts off trying to defeat this evil of diseases, cancer.
The producers could not have selected two better actors such as James Caan (Brian Piccolo), Billy Dee Williams (Hall of Famer Gayle Sayers). Their chemistry on screen was undeniable, and the film has warmed many a man's (and women's) hearts through their spirit of giving and loving one another and the race card not being used.
It is a film I watched with my own sons, and soon enough I will have my grandchildren watching it as well as I own both DVD film versions (1971 & 2001 remake starring Mekhi Phifer, Sean Maher).
For a made for TV film it was one of the most anticipated true life stories brought to the television audience and remains one of the very best sports film ever. I give it a perfect 10 out of 10 IMDB rating.