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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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85% Tomatometer 13 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 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 JD Duran InSession Film 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. Rated: C+ Aug 15, 2024 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 Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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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 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 Audience Member The best most soulful sports movie ever. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/19/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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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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