The Natural (1984)

A middle-aged unknown comes seemingly out of nowhere to become a legendary baseball player with almost supernatural talent.

Director:

Barry Levinson

Writers:

Bernard Malamud (novel), Roger Towne (screenplay)

Stars:

Robert Redford, Robert Duvall, Glenn Close

Nominated for 4 Oscars. Another 3 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robert Redford	...	Roy Hobbs
Robert Duvall	...	Max Mercy
Glenn Close	...	Iris Gaines
Kim Basinger	...	Memo Paris
Wilford Brimley	...	Pop Fisher
Barbara Hershey	...	Harriet Bird
Robert Prosky	...	The Judge
Richard Farnsworth	...	Red Blow
Joe Don Baker	...	The Whammer
John Finnegan	...	Sam Simpson
Alan Fudge	...	Ed Hobbs
Paul Sullivan Jr.	...	Young Roy
Rachel Hall	...	Young Iris
Robert Rich III	...	Ted Hobbs
Michael Madsen	...	Bump Bailey

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.

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Plot Keywords:

baseball | 1930s | baseball bat | athlete | based on novel | 

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Taglines:

From an age of innocence comes a hero for today.

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Genres:

Drama | Sport

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

In 2001, Bill Simmons of ESPN Magazine compiled Roy Hobbs's 1939 rookie season stats, taking cues from the movie. His line would've looked something like this: 115 Games Played, 400 At Bats, 92 Runs, 140 Hits, 44 Home Runs, 106 Runs Batted In, .350 Batting Average. Hobbs struck out 85 times and walked 75 times.

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Goofs

The articles don't match the newspaper headlines about Hobbs and the Knights. Only a few are listed here. At 50:34 Hobbs 2 Homers Sinks Pirates is followed by the name of a celebrant at a church service and a list of his assistants. At 1:09:22 the headline Knights Do It Again: Lose 4-3 is followed by continued from page 1 and an article about Bobby Riggs playing tennis.

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Quotes

Pop Fisher: I wanted to win that pennant worse than I wanted any goddamned thing in my life. You'd think I could just this once, wouldn't you? I didn't care nothing about the Series. Win or lose, I would have been satisfied.

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Alternate Versions

There 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.

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Connections

Featured in TCM Guest Programmer: Rich Eisen (2010)

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Soundtracks

Darktown Strutter's Ball
(uncredited)
Written by Shelton Brooks

User Reviews

Superb Film

One of my all time favorites. Everything about this movie appears authentic. From the time period, to the baseball scenes. These guys really look like a baseball team.

Redford is low-key and stoic, but he hits just the right note for the character. Everybody else, especially Robert Duvall and Wilford Brimley, are fantastic.

A touching story, without being hokey. You get the feeling you are watching something mystical and magical along with all the characters in the movie, and it is played with just the right note.

Thrilling and inspiring. A well-made, well-acted film.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 May 1984 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Natural

Filming Locations:

Ellicott Square Building, 283 Main Street, Buffalo, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$28,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$5,088,381, 13 May 1984

Gross USA:

$47,951,979

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$47,951,979

Company Credits

Production Co:

TriStar Pictures, Delphi II Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

138 min 144 min (Director's Cut)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo Dolby Digital Dolby Atmos

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1