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Brian's Song

Play trailer Poster for Brian's Song G 1971 1h 14m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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86% Tomatometer 14 Reviews 82% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
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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Brian's Song

Brian's Song

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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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Critics Reviews

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John J. O'Connor New York Times 08/31/2016
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. Go to Full Review
Nell Minow Common Sense Media 12/22/2010
4/5
Weepy story of interracial pro football teammates. Go to Full Review
Pat Graham Chicago Reader 01/25/2008
Made-for-TV eyewash for disheartened Bears fans to drown their sorrows in. Go to Full Review
Don Shanahan Cinephile Hissy Fit Podcast Dec 21
"Brian's Song" gets to the heart of true men in the most touching way without dwelling on unnecessary external conflicts. Go to Full Review
JD Duran InSession Film 08/15/2024
C+
The emotional moments near the end are hard to get to with cluttered cheesiness that fills the first two acts of the film and it doesn't have the depth to reach most people who don't know the story that well. Go to Full Review
Tom Meek Cambridge Day 10/03/2020
4/4
One of the all-time great sports dramas to grace the screen. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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John Y @JYJr16 18h One of the best made-for-TV movies ever made. See more Gary K Jun 16 First time I watched this in decades (probably since its original airing!) It still packs the same punch. Just the first few strains of the theme music brings tears. This might have been a "made for TV" movie but had it been a feature film it would have been Oscar worthy! See more Joel H 11/03/2023 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. See more 12/01/2021 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 See more Dave C 03/05/2021 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 See more 01/31/2021 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 See more Read all reviews
Brian's Song

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Movie Info

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
Producer
Paul Junger Witt
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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