IMDb > Brian's Song (1971) (TV)
Brian's Song
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Brian's Song (1971) (TV) More at IMDbPro »

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Overview

User Rating:
7.6/10   4,407 votes »
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Director:
Buzz Kulik
Writers:
Gale Sayers (book) and
Al Silverman (book) ...
(more)
Contact:
View company contact information for Brian's Song on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
30 November 1971 (USA) See more »
Genre:
Biography | Drama | Sport See more »
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. Full summary » | Add synopsis »
Plot Keywords:
See more »
Awards:
Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 9 wins & 7 nominations See more »
NewsDesk:
(15 articles)
Movember Movies: Nighthawks (1981)
 (From FilmJunk. 27 November 2012, 8:44 AM, PST)
Hungarian Rhapsody Concert Movie: Freddie At The Height Of His Powers
 (From Huffington Post. 20 September 2012, 4:56 AM, PDT)
Billy Dee Williams to Guest Star on NCIS as ...
 (From TVfanatic. 14 August 2012, 7:50 AM, PDT)
User Reviews:
A made-for-TV classic See more (43 total) »

Cast

  (in credits order) (complete, awaiting verification)

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)
Ji-Tu Cumbuka ... Roommate
Jim Boeke ... Veteran Player #3
Larry Delaney ... Dr. Fox
Stephen Coit ... Mr. Eberle
Doreen Lang ... Nurse #1
Jennifer Kulik ... Nurse #2 (as Jeni Kulik)
Allen Secher ... Hotel Man
Stu Nahan ... Speaker
Mario Machado ... Reporter #1
Bud Furillo ... Reporter #2
Jack Wells ... Toastmaster
rest of cast listed alphabetically:

Dick Butkus ... Dick Butkus (uncredited)
January L'Angelle ... Girl in Hospital (uncredited)
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Directed by
Buzz Kulik 
 
Writing credits
Gale Sayers (book "I Am Third") and
Al Silverman (book "I Am Third")

William Blinn (written by)

Produced by
Paul Junger Witt .... producer
Tony Thomas .... associate producer
 
Original Music by
Michel Legrand 
 
Cinematography by
Joseph F. Biroc (director of photography) (as Joe Biroc)
 
Film Editing by
Bud S. Isaacs 
 
Art Direction by
Ross Bellah 
 
Set Decoration by
Frank Lombardo 
 
Production Management
Eddie Saeta .... unit production manager
 
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Eddie Saeta .... assistant director
Richard Learman .... second assistant director (uncredited)
 
Sound Department
George C. Emick .... sound editor
Wayne Fury .... sound editor
Ralph Hickey .... sound editor
Marvin I. Kosberg .... sound editor
Paul Laune .... sound editor
William J. Montague .... sound mixer
Alfred E. Overton .... sound mixer
Monty Pearce .... sound editor
Harold E. Wooley .... sound editor
 
Camera and Electrical Department
Dave Friedman .... still photographer (uncredited)
 
Casting Department
Renée Valente .... casting executive (as Renee Valente)
 
Thanks
Ernie Ernse .... thanks
Joe Guarracino .... thanks
Jack Newman .... thanks
Steve Sabol .... thanks
 

Production CompaniesDistributorsSpecial Effects
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
See more »
Parents Guide:
View content advisory for parents
Runtime:
73 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1 See more »
Sound Mix:
Mono
Certification:
UK:PG | USA:G | Singapore:PG
Filming Locations:
Chicago, Illinois, USASee more »
Company:
Screen Gems TelevisionSee more »

Did You Know?

Trivia:
Released theatrically after its successful TV showings.See more »
Goofs:
Revealing mistakes: There is one moving camera shot on the football field with James Caan and Billy Dee Williams watching the action, but the view shows no players on the field. The crowd also roars as if a good play was made.See more »
Quotes:
[last lines]
Coach George Halas:Brian Piccolo died of cancer at the age of 26. He left a wife and three daughters. He also left a great many loving friends who miss and think of him often. But when they think of him, it's not how he died that they remember - but how he lived. How he did live!
See more »
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "Jeopardy!: Episode #26.1" (2009)See more »

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User Reviews

   (Review this title)
21 out of 24 people found the following review useful.
A made-for-TV classic, 4 June 2000
Author: capitan_movie from Flushing, NY

Start with the great musical score, add magnificent performances by the two leads and the entire supporting cast, an inspirational story, and great directing from Buzz Kulik, then add a terrific script. The result is the greatest made-for-TV movie of all time. The comraderie is exceptional, the dialogue is phenomenal, and every relationship rings true,

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See more (43 total) »

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