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      Bang the Drum Slowly

      PG Released Aug 26, 1973 1 hr. 36 min. Drama List
      90% 40 Reviews Tomatometer 62% 2,500+ Ratings Audience Score When hotshot pitcher Henry Wiggen (Michael Moriarty) is signed to the New York Mammoths, his confident ways quickly win over his teammates. He's quite the opposite of Bruce Pearson (Robert De Niro), the team's simpleminded catcher, who has difficulty connecting with others. But when Henry discovers that Bruce has been hiding that he was recently diagnosed with a fatal form of cancer, the unlikely pair become close. Despite Henry's efforts to look out for Bruce, however, team tensions rise. Read More Read Less Watch on Fandango at Home Premiered Apr 17 Buy Now

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      Critics Consensus

      Bang the Drum Slowly is a touching melodrama that explores the inner workings of a baseball club and its players' personalities with remarkable depth.

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      Audience Reviews

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      Daniel E What it has in authenticity it gives up in creativity. It's a chore to listen to a script dumbed down to mimick pro athletes. And the dark secret of PEARSON's illness hampers any hope of quirky humour or surprising plot twists. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 12/17/23 Full Review christina s A gem of a movie. Sweet and hilarious. A good realistic view of minor league baseball. There is no false not in this movie. Glorifies kindness. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member The film was hardly about baseball and it hardly had De Niro in it. Quite a disappointment. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 01/12/23 Full Review blanca m I love this movie. It's not just about baseball, but about kindness and compassion for others. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review william d Not just a great baseball movie, it's a great movie period. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review steve d Melodramatic but the performances are strong. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      Critics Reviews

      View All (40) Critics Reviews
      Penelope Gilliatt New Yorker The baseball paraphernalia may or may not strike experts as authentic... What is indisputably good is the flavor of the dialogue. Jan 23, 2024 Full Review Alan R. Howard Hollywood Reporter The movie sometimes loses track of its story and rambles for puzzling stretches of unfocused scenes. But it succeeds best with the breezy, warm scenes of baseball life and with such sterling character bits... Aug 28, 2018 Full Review Oliver Lyttelton indieWire There's a low-key, melancholy feel to the film, thanks in part to De Niro's turn, which never patronizes his character or begs for sympathy. May 31, 2018 Full Review Patrick Hicks Feelin' Film Podcast BANG THE DRUM SLOWLY is a slow-paced drama masquerading as a sports movie. Robert De Niro and Michael Moriarty give decent performances, but there's more sport and action in a game of TEGWAR than anywhere in this film. Rated: 2.5/5 Apr 10, 2023 Full Review John Simon Esquire Magazine The film profits immeasurably from the performance of Robert De Niro, a Northerner who completely transformed himself into the Georgia cracker with the fatal crack running through him. Jul 23, 2020 Full Review Bernard Drew Gannett News Service I found it an appealing and affecting study of a man who has everything and a man who has nothing, and the great need they have for each other. Oct 2, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

      Movie Info

      Synopsis When hotshot pitcher Henry Wiggen (Michael Moriarty) is signed to the New York Mammoths, his confident ways quickly win over his teammates. He's quite the opposite of Bruce Pearson (Robert De Niro), the team's simpleminded catcher, who has difficulty connecting with others. But when Henry discovers that Bruce has been hiding that he was recently diagnosed with a fatal form of cancer, the unlikely pair become close. Despite Henry's efforts to look out for Bruce, however, team tensions rise.
      Director
      John D. Hancock
      Screenwriter
      Mark Harris
      Distributor
      Paramount Pictures
      Production Co
      Paramount Pictures, Dibs Partnership, ANJS
      Rating
      PG
      Genre
      Drama
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Theaters)
      Aug 26, 1973, Original
      Release Date (Streaming)
      Aug 24, 2018
      Sound Mix
      Mono
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