In a corporate-controlled future, an ultra-violent sport known as Rollerball represents the world, and one of its powerful athletes is out to defy those who want him out of the game.
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Title: Rollerball (1975)
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Cast
| Complete credited cast: | |||
| James Caan | ... | ||
| John Houseman | ... | ||
| Maud Adams | ... |
Ella
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| John Beck | ... |
Moonpie
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| Moses Gunn | ... | ||
| Pamela Hensley | ... |
Mackie
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| Barbara Trentham | ... |
Daphne
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John Normington | ... |
Executive
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| Shane Rimmer | ... |
Rusty, Team Executive
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| Burt Kwouk | ... |
Japanese Doctor
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| Nancy Bleier | ... |
Girl in Library
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| Richard LeParmentier | ... |
Bartholomew's Aide
(as Rick LeParmentier)
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| Robert Ito | ... |
Strategy Coach for Houston Team
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| Ralph Richardson | ... |
Librarian
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Plot Summary
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Plot Synopsis
Storyline
In a futuristic society where corporations have replaced countries, the violent game of Rollerball is used to control the populace by demonstrating the futility of individuality. However, one player, Jonathan E., rises to the top, fights for his personal freedom, and threatens the corporate control. Written by Jeff Hansen <jmh@umich.edu>
Taglines:
It's More Than Just a Game! See more »Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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See full technical specs »
Details
Language:
EnglishRelease Date:
25 June 1975 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Rolerbol See more »Box Office
Gross:
$30,000,000 (USA)Company Credits
Show detailed
company contact information
on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1
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(BWV 565) (uncredited)
Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
When Jonathan E. heads for the computer bank in Geneva, it's the Palais des Nations at the same place. See more »Goofs
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. See more »Quotes
Bartholomew: Try to understand it, Jonathan. Do try to understand it. Because I don't understand your resistance. And I don't think anyone else will either.See more »
Soundtracks
Toccata and Fugue in D Minor(BWV 565) (uncredited)
Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach
See more »
Rollerball is another of those great 70's cult sci-fi films. It features a great cast of actors and a smart script. It was notorious at the time for its violence, although that was greatly exaggerated in comparison to some professional sports and entertainment. It features a futuristic reimagining of the Roman Empire, with gladiatorial games to distract the populace from their bleak existence. It also predates cyberpunk literature, with ts depiction of a world controlled by powerful conglomerates, a world not too different from the present one.
James Caan is fantastic as Johnathan E, the Michael Jordan of Rollerball. He continues to succeed in a sport designed to show the futility of individual effort. The sport is constantly changed to stop him, yet he continues to overcome every obstacle.
John Housman is electrifying as the head of the Energy Corporation, owners of the Houston Team. He has conspired with his peers to keep the masses down and use this sport to both distract them and show them that the individual can't succeed. He grows more desperate as Johnathan E defeats his schemes. He tries every trick without success.
The supporting cast is filled with great actors, like Moses Gunn, John Beck, Sir Ralph Richardson (not John Gielgud, as one reviewer stated), Maude Adams, and Shane Rimmer.
The film demonstrates that the individual can triumph over insurmountable odds and cautions against corporate control of society. It uses both allegory and speculation beautifully, and packages it with thrilling action. The remake was destined for failure because it couldn't see beyond the action. The action was only window dressing for the greater themes. If only more recent sci-fi films were this thought-provoking, or other films for that matter.