Brian's Song

G

1971

1h 14m

Drama

List

92%

12 Reviews

Tomatometer

82%

5,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Brian Piccolo (James Caan) and Gale Sayers (Billy Dee Williams) are teammates on the mid-1960s Chicago Bears. At a time when professional football still bears a certain amount of race-based segregation, the growing friendship between the white Piccolo and the black Sayers, as well as their wives, Joy (Shelley Fabares) and Linda (Judy Pace), becomes a symbol of harmony during the civil rights era. That bond grows stronger still when Piccolo receives some shattering and unexpected news.

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Critics Consensus

Buoyed by standout performances from James Caan and Billy Dee Williams, Brian's Song is a touching tale of friendship whose central relationship transcends its standard sports movie moments.

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Joel H

Brian's Song is a sappy made-for-TV movie intentionally designed to tug on the heartstrings of anyone who watches it. But here's the thing, it's the good kind of sappy. This film is like maple syrup. It's sweet and inoffensive as it dramatizes this heartbreaking true story. Plus, both Billy Dee Williams and James Caan are so charismatic in their roles that you can't help but like them, and you believe they are best friends. So yes, Brian's Song may induce some eye-rolls from people who don't like melodramatic stories, but I found it to be an inspiring film about friendship in the face of adversity.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/03/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A very young James Caan and Billy Dee Williams The incredible true story of Gayle Sayers and Brian Piccolo Two men in the mid-1960s from other parts of the country; competing for the same job, one is black one is white, fighting first then friends later They play for the Chicago bears but at this time race-based segregation was still common Yet their growing friendship as well as bonding between their wives presents much needed hope for the civil rights era Tragedy then strikes testing their friendship This was the true story about love shared by white guy nicknamed Pic and the friend he dubbed Black Magic had both football and facts in its favor to help deflect a racial animus still infecting television in the early 1970s One of the shortest films ever but remains a monumental sports drama for airing on tv

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/22/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A sentimental, funny and touching tale of a friendship that truly transcended barriers in all forms. A football movie, that doesn't worry too much about the football, instead focussing on the relationships that formed an integral part of the game. Caan and Williams both give strong performances

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This might have gotten a perfect score had it not been a made for TV. You can tell they had a limited amount of resources to use for the film. That being said, Brian’s Song manages to get us swept up into an emotional roller coaster due to the committed performances of James Caan and Billy Dee Williams. Their emotional connection was stellar and really helped you care about their bond

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/31/21

Full Review

Andrew A

It's melodramatic and some of it is exaggerated from the real story or just completely made up. But it's a good story about a black friend and white friend caring for each other during a period of higher racial tension in America. Also a good story about competition in sports. It was a made-for-TV special in 1971 so don't have blockbuster expectations. It's worth a watch though.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

09/27/20

Full Review

Audience Member

I watch it as a preteen. It was a beautiful tale of friendship thru adversity. Have Kleenex handy it's a tearjerker.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/11/23

Full Review

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Buzz Kulik

Director

James Caan

Brian Piccolo

Billy Dee Williams

Gale Sayers

Jack Warden

Coach George Halas

Shelley Fabares

Joy Piccolo

Judy Pace

Linda Sayers

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John J. O'Connor

New York Times

On its own, somewhat obvious level, Brian's Song worked. Not least in its favor were two exceptionally fine performances: James Caan as Brian Piccolo and Billy Dee Williams as Gale Sayers.

Aug 31, 2016

Full Review

Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Weepy story of interracial pro football teammates.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 22, 2010

Full Review

Pat Graham

Chicago Reader

Made-for-TV eyewash for disheartened Bears fans to drown their sorrows in.

Jan 25, 2008

Full Review

Tom Meek

Cambridge Day

One of the all-time great sports dramas to grace the screen.

Rated: 4/4

Oct 3, 2020

Full Review

Jeffrey Westhoff

Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)

Rated: 4/5

Apr 4, 2006

Full Review

Brad Laidman

Film Threat

It remains the best example of the most different of men competing fairly and getting along peacefully ever filmed.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 6, 2005

Full Review

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Synopsis

Brian Piccolo (James Caan) and Gale Sayers (Billy Dee Williams) are teammates on the mid-1960s Chicago Bears. At a time when professional football still bears a certain amount of race-based segregation, the growing friendship between the white Piccolo and the black Sayers, as well as their wives, Joy (Shelley Fabares) and Linda (Judy Pace), becomes a symbol of harmony during the civil rights era. That bond grows stronger still when Piccolo receives some shattering and unexpected news.

Director: Buzz Kulik
Production Co: Screen Gems Television
Rating: G, TV-PG
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 27, 2013
Runtime: 1h 14m

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