7.5/10
37,552
180 user 58 critic

The Natural (1984)

PG | | Drama, Sport | 11 May 1984 (USA)
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An unknown comes out of seemingly nowhere to become a legendary player with almost divine talent.

Director:

Writers:

(novel), (screenplay) | 1 more credit »

Stars:

, , | See full cast & crew »
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Nominated for 4 Oscars. Another 3 wins & 4 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
... Roy Hobbs
... Max Mercy
... Iris Gaines
... Memo Paris
... Pop Fisher
... Harriet Bird
... The Judge
... Red Blow
... The Whammer
... Sam Simpson
... Ed Hobbs
Paul Sullivan Jr. ... Young Roy
Rachel Hall ... Young Iris
... Ted Hobbs
... Bump Bailey
See full cast »
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Storyline

An unknown middle-aged batter named Roy Hobbs with a mysterious past appears out of nowhere to take a losing 1930s baseball team to the top of the league in this magical sports fantasy. With the aid of a bat cut from a lightning struck tree, Hobbs lives the fame he should have had earlier when, as a rising pitcher, he is inexplicably shot by a young woman. Written by Keith Loh <loh@sfu.ca>

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

baseball | baseball team | team | tree | lightning | See All (117) »

Taglines:

Boyhood dreams, a bat made from a tree struck by lightning and most importantly, a never-ending passion for the game. See more »

Genres:

Drama | Sport

Certificate:

PG | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

11 May 1984 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

El mejor  »

Filming Locations:

 »
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Box Office

Budget:

$28,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$5,088,381, 13 May 1984, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$47,951,979
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

Production Co:

,  »
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Technical Specs

Runtime:

| (Director's Cut)

Sound Mix:

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

In the hospital, the Judge gives Roy $20,000 to throw the game. If adjusted for inflation, this amount would be equivalent to $352,000 in 2018. See more »

Goofs

After Bump's funeral (and after the lightning patch has been added to the uniforms) there is a batting practice scene where Bump (#7) is seen wandering around behind the backstop. The lightning patches are also missing. The scene is combined with the managers trying to guess the names of songs. See more »

Quotes

Pop Fisher: Batting practice tomorrow, be there!
Roy Hobbs: I have been. Every day.
See more »

Connections

Referenced in Suburgatory: T-Ball & Sympathy (2013) See more »

Soundtracks

Memo
(uncredited)
Composed and Conducted by Randy Newman
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the story based upon real people and events?
Q: Does the story include other elements?
Q: Is this based on a book?
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User Reviews

 
A 20th Century Fairy Tale
19 December 1998 | by – See all my reviews

That's how I personally summed up this movie when I first saw it. And what better place to couch a fairy tale than in a milieu with real legends like Ruth and DiMaggio and Mantle ... or fabulous ones like "The Whammer" and Roy Hobbs. The story of a man playing the game they way it SHOULD be played, wishing while injured that his father could have seen him, and coming through in the clutch for his father, his lady, and his son. Beautifully shot by Caleb Deschanel, this isn't just a movie, this is ARTWORK.

And who could forget the soundtrack written by Randy Newman, which has found its way into virtually every sports show on the tube at one time or another. Without a doubt, his best handiwork.
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