X
- 1975
- R
- United Artists
- 2 h 5 m
- 1975
- R
- United Artists
- 2 h 5 m
Summary In a corporate-controlled future, an ultra-violent sport known as Rollerball represents the world, and one of its powerful athletes is out to defy those who want him out of the game.
Directed By: Norman Jewison
Written By: William Harrison
- 1975
- R
- United Artists
- 2 h 5 m
- 1975
- R
- United Artists
- 2 h 5 m
Rollerball
56
6.7
Where to Watch
Summary In a corporate-controlled future, an ultra-violent sport known as Rollerball represents the world, and one of its powerful athletes is out to defy those who want him out of the game.
Directed By: Norman Jewison
Written By: William Harrison
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 11 Critic Reviews
56
55% Positive
6 Reviews
6 Reviews
36% Mixed
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
9% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 11 Critic Reviews
56
55% Positive
6 Reviews
6 Reviews
36% Mixed
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
9% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
With a fantastic stunt team, a gamely macho star and some wonderful editing, Rollerball is so convincing, urban legend had it there were fatalities during the shoot.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 12 User Ratings
6.7
58% Positive
7 Ratings
7 Ratings
42% Mixed
5 Ratings
5 Ratings
0% Negative
0 Ratings
0 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 12 User Ratings
6.7
58% Positive
7 Ratings
7 Ratings
42% Mixed
5 Ratings
5 Ratings
0% Negative
0 Ratings
0 Ratings
I was up for a 2022 rewatch and oh this is still a cracking film. Iconic music score for sure. Nearly all the performances are very subtle. Like the emotions in this world is almost stunted, beyond the outlet of the game. Visually dated so a very retro cinematic vibe. The plot is pretty unsubtle and spelled out clearly by the main antagonist. Where the protagonist is the square peg they want to force in a round hole.
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This 1970's dystopian 'death sports' scifi mixes action, mystery and drama and never fails to drop the ball (pun FULLY intended). I really appreciated the succinct dialogue which pleasingly doesn't bore the audience with pools of expository dialogue, often a problem in this genre. Overall watching in 2020 the hardest parts to enjoy are the action scenes which although pleasingly gladiatorial, have aged terribly...
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The performances of Caan and Richardson are excellent, and the rollerball sequences are fast-paced and interesting.
The skate-rink action, which culminates in an apocalyptic death match, remains rabble-rousingly brutal.
It's got the smoothest, glossiest finish imaginable, but something inside it doesn't jell. [15 July 1988, p.26]
Rollerball isn't a movie; it's a protest demonstration - producer-director Norman Jewison's feeble complaint about both the increasing brutality in professional sports and the increasing sterility of modern life. Trendy concerns, sure enough, but the movie's only contribution could well be the introduction of its brutal, eponymous game to an already sport-surfeited society. [07 July 1975, p.56]
Lifeless, uninspired, and crammed with enough hints of intellectual consistency to give the socially conscious critical establishment shivers of excitement.
Rollerball is a cool and interesting 1970s sci fi action thriller.
A very good concept were corporations control everything in the future and it's violent gladiatorial sport were a champion wants to do what he wants but can't directly do that due to corporate society. The film has interesting themes and a couple of well choreographed action scenes.
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The fear of the future society, and the questioning of corporations and the taste for violence, serve as an almost valid argument for social criticism. I say almost because throughout the two hours of footage the pace is not completely even, although it is not a waste of time. What is is its remake (2001)
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Awards
BAFTA Awards
• 1 Win & 4 Nominations
Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA
• 3 Wins & 3 Nominations
Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America
• 1 Nomination
