Brian's Song

TV Movie
19711971
GG
1h 13m

Brian's Song (1971)

Biography Drama Sport

Based on the real-life relationship between teammates Brian Piccolo and Gale Sayers and the bond established when Piccolo discovers that he is dying.Based on the real-life relationship between teammates Brian Piccolo and Gale Sayers and the bond established when Piccolo discovers that he is dying.Based on the real-life relationship between teammates Brian Piccolo and Gale Sayers and the bond established when Piccolo discovers that he is dying.

Director
- Buzz Kulik
Writers
- William Blinn
- Gale Sayers(book "I Am Third")
- Al Silverman(book "I Am Third")
Stars

See production, box office & company info

See production, box office & company info

See more at IMDbPro

Won 5 Primetime Emmys
- 11 wins & 8 nominations total

Brian's Song (1971)

Brian's Song (1971)

James Caan and Billy Dee Williams in Brian's Song (1971)

James Caan and Billy Dee Williams in Brian's Song (1971)

Billy Dee Williams in Brian's Song (1971)

James Caan in Brian's Song (1971)

James Caan and Billy Dee Williams in Brian's Song (1971)

Billy Dee Williams in Brian's Song (1971)

James Caan in Brian's Song (1971)

James Caan and Billy Dee Williams in Brian's Song (1971)

Brian Piccoloas Brian Piccolo

Billy Dee Williams

Gale Sayersas Gale Sayers

Coach Halasas Coach Halas

J.C. Carolineas J.C. Caroline

Shelley Fabares

Joy Piccoloas Joy Piccolo

David Huddleston

Ed McCaskeyas Ed McCaskey

Linda Sayersas Linda Sayers

Abe Gibronas Abe Gibron

Jack Concannonas Jack Concannon

Ed O'Bradovichas Ed O'Bradovich

The Chicago Bears Players

The Chicago Bear Playersas The Chicago Bear Players

The Chicago Bears Coaches

The Chicago Bear Coachesas The Chicago Bear Coaches

The Chicago Bears Staff

The Chicago Bear Staffas The Chicago Bear Staff

Harold 'Happy' Hairston

Veteran Player #1as Veteran Player #1
(as Happy Hairston)

Veteran Player #2as Veteran Player #2

Roommateas Roommate

Veteran Player #3as Veteran Player #3

Dr. Foxas Dr. Fox

Director
- Buzz Kulik
Writers
- William Blinn
- Gale Sayers(book "I Am Third")
- Al Silverman(book "I Am Third")
All cast & crew
See more cast details at IMDbPro

Brian's Song

6.7

North Dallas Forty

7.0

North Dallas Forty

Hoosiers

7.5

The Longest Yard

7.1

The Longest Yard

Oh, God!

6.6

Bang the Drum Slowly

6.9

Bang the Drum Slowly

The Best of Times

6.0

The Best of Times

Miracle

7.5

Stand and Deliver

7.3

Stand and Deliver

Fear Strikes Out

7.0

Fear Strikes Out

Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones

7.6

Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones

Seabiscuit

7.3

Gale Sayers joins the Chicago Bears and is befriended by Brian Piccolo, an over-achieving running back. Although they compete for the same spot on the team, and despite the fact that Sayers is black and Piccolo white, they become roommates on the road and very close friends, especially when Sayers is injured and Piccolo helps his recovery. Later, they and their wives must both deal with the harsh reality of Piccolo's cancer. —Jerry Milani <jmilani@ix.netcom.com>

male friendship gale sayers character brian piccolo character remade male objectification 76 more

Taglines
- An inspiring true story of friendship and courage.
Genres
Certificate
- G
Parents guide

Trivia
The interior of Gale Sayers' house was the interior set of Darrin and Samantha's house from Bewitched (1964).

Goofs
When the coaches ask Sayers to room with Piccolo in 1965, they warn that people in cities like Atlanta, New Orleans, Houston and Miami won't take well to integrated roommates. Atlanta didn't join the NFL until 1966, New Orleans 1967, and Houston and Miami until the AFL/NFL merger in 1970. Miami wasn't even in the AFL until 1966.

Quotes
Narrator: Ernest Hemingway once said "Every true story ends in death." Well, this is a true story.

Connections
Featured in The 24th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (1972)

Soundtracks
Brian's Song
Written and Performed by Michel Legrand Et Son Orchestre
[Theme]

Top review

7/10

I cried......

Yes, I did. Anyone who doesn't the first (and probably second) time they see it is not human. The film does a fantastic job of establishing a strong bond between the two lead characters, played by James Caan and Billy Dee Williams. Then, at the end, when Billy Dee says "I love Brian Piccolo..." I lost it! Blubbering! This is one outstanding film. If you decide to watch it, have your tissues handy towards the end!

helpful•36

4

grahamsj3
Dec 20, 2002

Release date
- November 30, 1971 (United States)
Country of origin
- United States
Language
- English
Also known as
- Freunde bis in den Tod
Filming locations
- St. Joseph's College - U.S. Highway 231, Rensselaer, Wheatfield, Indiana, USA
Production company
- Screen Gems Television
See more company credits at IMDbPro

Runtime
1 hour 13 minutes
Color
- Color
Sound mix
- Mono
Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1

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Brian's Song (1971)

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