42 (2013)

In 1947, Jackie Robinson becomes the first African-American to play in Major League Baseball in the modern era when he was signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers and faces considerable racism in the process.

Director:

Brian Helgeland

Writer:

Brian Helgeland

Stars:

Chadwick Boseman, T.R. Knight, Harrison Ford

3 wins & 19 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Chadwick Boseman	...	Jackie Robinson
Harrison Ford	...	Branch Rickey
Nicole Beharie	...	Rachel Robinson
Christopher Meloni	...	Leo Durocher
Ryan Merriman	...	Dixie Walker
Lucas Black	...	Pee Wee Reese
André Holland	...	Wendell Smith (as Andre Holland)
Alan Tudyk	...	Ben Chapman
Hamish Linklater	...	Ralph Branca
T.R. Knight	...	Harold Parrott
John C. McGinley	...	Red Barber
Toby Huss	...	Clyde Sukeforth
Max Gail	...	Burt Shotton
Brad Beyer	...	Kirby Higbe
James Pickens Jr.	...	Mr. Brock

Storyline

In 1946, Jackie Robinson is a Negro League baseball player who never takes racism lying down. Branch Rickey is a Major League team executive with a bold idea. To that end, Rickey recruits Robinson to break the unspoken color line as the first modern African American Major League player. As both anticipate, this proves a major challenge for Robinson and his family as they endure unrelenting racist hostility on and off the field, from player and fan alike. As Jackie struggles against his nature to endure such abuse without complaint, he finds allies and hope where he least expects it.

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Plot Keywords:

african american man | racial integration | pregnancy | jackie robinson character | reference to ty cobb | 

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Taglines:

In a game divided by color, he made us see greatness.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Sport

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for thematic elements including language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 April 2013 (USA)

Also Known As:

Untitled Jackie Robinson Project

Filming Locations:

Rickwood Field - 1137 2nd Avenue W, Birmingham, Alabama, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$40,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$27,487,144, 14 April 2013, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$95,001,343, 21 July 2013

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros., Legendary Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

128 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital Datasat SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Harrison Ford purposely played Branch Rickey wearing prosthetics and talked in a different voice so that people wouldn't know it was him.

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Goofs

When he arrives at spring training for the Montreal Royals, Wendell Smith introduces himself to Robinson. In real life, the two had already met in 1945, when Smith had arranged a special try-out for Jackie Robinson with the Boston Red Sox.

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Quotes

Jackie Robinson: You want a player who doesn't have the guts to fight back?
Branch Rickey: No. No. I want a player who's got the guts not to fight back. People aren't gonna like this. They're gonna do anything to get you to react. Echo a curse with a curse and, uh, they'll hear only yours. Follow a blow with a blow and they'll say, "The Negro lost his temper." That "The Negro does not belong." Your enemy will be out in force... and you cannot meet him on his own low ground. We win with hitting, running, fielding. Only that. ...
[...]

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Connections

Referenced in Late Night with Seth Meyers: Chadwick Boseman/Carol Kane/Mike Posner/Mark Guiliana (2016)

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Soundtracks

Panama
Written by Ernesto Lecuona
Performed by The Lecuona Cuban Boys
Courtesy of YOYO MUSIC S.A.

User Reviews

Very Well Done

You probably think this film is completely focused on the story of Jackie Robinson. That is definitely not the case, as this film finds balance between the story of Robinson, baseball, and segregation. And this film succeeds in depicting all three aspects to bring a powerful, heartwarming, humorous film. The casting is great. Every actor fits his or her character perfectly. Harrison Ford does an amazing job portraying his character with his no- nonsense humorous attitude. He has a good chance of grabbing an academy award nomination for this roll. This is one of those movies that takes you for an emotional thrill ride. You feel for the Robinson. You want him to win. And you rejoice when he does. So sit back and let the film drag you in; it's worth your time.