IMDb >
Rollerball (1975)
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsRollerball (1975) More at IMDbPro »
| Photos (see all 32 | slideshow) | Videos |
Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
25 June 1975 (USA)
more
Tagline:
In the not-too-distant future, wars will no longer exist... more
Plot:
In a corporate controlled future, an ultra-violent sport known as Rollerball represents the world, and one of it's powerful athletes is out to defy those who want him out of the game. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Won BAFTA Film Award.
Another 3 wins
&
5 nominations
more
NewsDesk:
(10 articles)
Norman Jewison Will Get DGA Lifetime Achievement Award
(From Cinematical. 2 December 2009, 7:33 AM, PST)
Sound On Sight Radio #158 - Whip It!
(From SoundOnSight. 6 October 2009, 12:28 AM, PDT)
(From Cinematical. 2 December 2009, 7:33 AM, PST)
Sound On Sight Radio #158 - Whip It!
(From SoundOnSight. 6 October 2009, 12:28 AM, PDT)
User Comments:
You can't watch it, you can only re-watch it...
more (130 total)
Cast
(Complete credited cast)| James Caan | ... | Jonathan E. | |
| John Houseman | ... | Bartholomew | |
| Maud Adams | ... | Ella | |
| John Beck | ... | Moonpie | |
| Moses Gunn | ... | Cletus | |
| Pamela Hensley | ... | Mackie | |
| Barbara Trentham | ... | Daphne | |
| John Normington | ... | Executive | |
| Shane Rimmer | ... | Rusty, Team Executive | |
| Burt Kwouk | ... | Japanese Doctor | |
| Nancy Bleier | ... | Girl in Library | |
| Richard LeParmentier | ... | Bartholomew's Aide (as Rick LeParmentier) | |
| Robert Ito | ... | Strategy Coach for Houston Team | |
| Ralph Richardson | ... | Librarian | |
| rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| Miquel Brown | ... | (unconfirmed) | |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
125 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
4-Track Stereo (35 mm magnetic prints) |
70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints)
Certification:
Finland:K-16 (uncut) (2000) |
Finland:K-16 (cut) (1988) |
Finland:K-18 (uncut) (1975) |
New Zealand:M (re-rating) (2002) |
New Zealand:R18 (orginal rating) (1976) |
UK:15 (video rating) (1987) |
Australia:M |
Canada:13+ (Québec) |
Canada:14A (Alberta) (re-rating) (1999) |
Canada:AA (Ontario) |
Germany:16 (2002) |
Netherlands:18 |
Norway:18 (1976) |
Singapore:NC-16 |
Sweden:15 |
UK:AA (original rating) |
USA:R |
West Germany:18 (original rating) |
Canada:PG (Manitoba) |
Canada:A (Nova Scotia)
Filming Locations:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
There was only one "Rollerball" rink. It was redressed to appear as different cities.
more
Goofs:
Continuity: in the New York game, #3 is seen after he goes "off the board" (riding motorcycle 2) and #2 is also seen in the same manner later in the game.
more
Quotes:
Jonathan E.:
What do you know about the corporate wars?
Cletus: Oh, they were naaaasty... Woooh.
more
Cletus: Oh, they were naaaasty... Woooh.
more
Movie Connections:
Spoofed in Rollerbabies (1976)
more
Soundtrack:
Glass Sculpture
more
FAQ
What is "Rollerball"?Why was Jonathan E being forced to retire?
more
more (130 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Rollerball (1975) moreRecommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| The Running Man | GoldenEye | Nineteen Eighty-Four | Brazil | Moon |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| News articles | IMDb Action section | IMDb UK section |
| Add this title to MyMovies |












This is a film that demands repeat viewing. When I was a kid, my brothers and I used to just fast-forward all the slow, `talkie' scenes to get to the action. We couldn't understand why the whole film wasn't just composed of game sequences (a criticism also leveled by at least one reviewer on this site).
Now, having just watched the movie twice in a night, the second time with the director's commentary, I have finally got to grips with the scenes between the action, and discovered that I like it more than ever. The view of the future is not highly original; tipping its hat to the stratified societies foreseen by Orwell and Huxley, amongst others; but nevertheless the portrayal is engaging. Jewison astutely realised that only by filling in the image of the future society, the characters, and the political background against which the tournament unfolds, would the game be seen as truly REAL for the characters. In the meanwhile, he also has the chance to build suspense, upping the stakes for both the heroic gladiator/combateur Jonathon, and his would-be puppet master Bartholemew. In this way, when we come to watch the actual contests, our enthusiasm is whetted, and by making the rules progressively more dangerous with each passing game, the stakes grow ever higher.
The central themes of the movie are (i) loss-of-soul/nihilism/sensual-vs-spiritual-happiness, and (ii) individuality vs state control. Perhaps the best scenes elucidating these themes are the famous `tree killing' scene, and the conversation between Jonathon and Ella in the forest. The use of imagery and metaphor is widespread; I will mention only the terrific concept of the roulette wheel as game arena, with the players INSIDE, instead of outside; and the Circus Maximus parallel. You may draw many interesting conclusions from this about the director's and writer's intent.
My final word is: watch it once, soak up the action, and be bored by the rest. Then view it again, feel yourself in Jonathon's dilemma, experience his wrenching disappointment with the people in his life who betray him, and try to tear yourself away if you can as he is pushed inexorably to his fate in the arena of ROLLERBALL.