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

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Brian's Song (1971) -- One of the greatest television movies ever made, Brian's song depicts the friendship between Brian Piccolo (James Caan) and Gale Sayers (Billy Dee Williams), two Chicago Bears teammates, and the tragedy that affects the entire team when Piccolo develops terminal cancer.

Overview

User Rating:
7.7/10   3,234 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 5% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
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) more
Genre:
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
Awards:
Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 7 wins & 5 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(3 articles)
Weekly Poll Results: Best Football Movie
 (From FilmJunk. 2 September 2009, 9:15 AM, PDT)

Emmy-Winning Actor Jack Warden Dies at 85
 (From WENN. 21 July 2006)

User Reviews:
Greatest made for TV movie ever made more (38 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)
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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  (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)
 
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 CompaniesDistributorsOther Companies
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Additional Details

Runtime:
73 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Filming Locations:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The interior of what was supposed to be Gale Sayers' house was actually the interior set of Darrin and Samantha's house from "Bewitched" (1964). more
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. more
Quotes:
Gale Sayers: I love Brian Piccolo. And tonight, when you hit your knees, please ask God to love him. more
Movie Connections:
Featured in "I Love the '70s: Volume 2" (2006) more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
17 out of 19 people found the following review useful.
Greatest made for TV movie ever made, 11 October 2004
Author: djpowell from Morgantown, WV

In times of racial trouble, inner family strife, and complete distrust of your fellow man, this movie showed what the world would really be like if people got rid of "oneupmanship" and lived life for life itself.

I HIGHLY recommend the original version (1971)

The acting was not campy, there was nothing to be really showy about, the football clips were some of the best ever incorporated (they actually became part of the plot), and other male leads were extremely believable in their roles.

The females weren't too bad, either.

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more (38 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Brian's Song (1971) (TV)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
hilarious goof in the movie sivin1
title.. what does it mean? gone-permenatly
brian's song at the movies littlesister_1126
A Black Guy? tokyostreetkiller
Which original Chicago Bears are in this Movie? jojopuppyfish
Not to mention the awsome music heberald26
more

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