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 |
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>
This movie presents a dark, disturbing look at a possible future. The movie portrays a cold, sterile society where humanity is generally absent. Corporations run the world and the global pasttime is a violent sport reminisent of the Roman Coliseum. The rollerball scenes, which get more and more violent as the film progresses, are disturbing enough. Equally disturbing is a scene where a group of drunk partygoers blow up trees with some sort of gun. The citizens of this future society are really lacking feeling and humanity. Despite the film's dated look, it's still a future that seems quite possible.