A middle-aged unknown comes seemingly out of nowhere to become a legendary baseball player with almost supernatural talent.A middle-aged unknown comes seemingly out of nowhere to become a legendary baseball player with almost supernatural talent.A middle-aged unknown comes seemingly out of nowhere to become a legendary baseball player with almost supernatural talent.
- Nominated for 4 Oscars
- 3 wins & 8 nominations total
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe bat that bat boy Bobby Savoy gives Roy is called the "Savoy Special". The Savoy Special was a brand of beer in the 1930s, and was made by the United States Brewing Company. This bat is now in the collection at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York, displayed along with Roy Hobb's jacket in an exhibit titled "Baseball and the Movies".
- GoofsIn the game where Hobbs breaks the Wrigley Field clock, his homer ends the game, as everyone in the stands begins to leave and Hobbs gets mobbed by the press. But since the Knights were the visitors, the Cubs get to bat last.
The movie depicts the 1939 season. Prior to the 1950 season the home team had the option to bat first or last so it was possible for the visiting team to bat in the bottom of an inning.
- Quotes
Iris Gaines: You know, I believe we have two lives.
Roy Hobbs: How... what do you mean?
Iris Gaines: The life we learn with and the life we live with after that.
- Alternate versionsThere is an edited version which was released in several European countries (e.g. United Kingdom, West Germany). This version edits many dialogue and playing scenes to tighten up the pacing. It runs approx. 14 minutes shorter than the US theatrical version.
- ConnectionsFeatured in At the Movies: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom/The Natural (1984)
- SoundtracksThe Star Spangled Banner
Lyrics by Francis Scott Key
Music by John Stafford Smith
Performed by Kate Smith
Courtesy of RCA Records
Featured review
Whenever "The Natural" is on TV, I stop what I'm doing and watch it. I don't know why, exactly. I have been a baseball fan since I was a little kid and love the tradition. There is no other sport that has as much history. It's because one can isolate moments in time. Situations develop. Every announcer says things like, "Bottom of the third, men on first and third, Turley on the mound, Simpson is up, he's two for four today. The wind is blowing out to right field, etc." We can make words visual. In this wonderful movie, a man wants a piece of that tradition. He makes a horrible mistake along the way to the big leagues, and now is given one last chance. This is mythical. This is not realistic. To criticize it on the basis of its credibility is unfair. Even to compare it to the book is unfair. They are totally different. What one does with a camera should not be compared to the printed page. Malamud did his thing and now Barry Levinson is doing his. The cinematography is without peer. It is magical all the way through. The lighting as Glenn Close stands up in the stands is mesmerizing. This is more Greek myth than baseball story, but it is a baseball story, with the Ruth like gods and the day-to-day players. Roy Hobbs is like all of us in some ways and we love him for his endurance, patience, and drive. Redford brings him to life with that rugged face moving away from lost youth. It's a fine film.
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- El mejor
- Filming locations
- All-High Stadium - 50 Mercer Avenue, Buffalo, New York, USA(Wrigley Field scenes; Roy and Iris walking outside a brick building)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $28,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $47,951,979
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $5,088,381
- May 13, 1984
- Gross worldwide
- $47,951,979
- Runtime2 hours 18 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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