Facing Nolan

Released May 24, 2022

1 hr. 45 min.

Documentary

Biography

TRAILER

for Facing Nolan: Trailer 1

List

96%

27 Reviews

Tomatometer

Nolan Ryan's numbers tell a story, but numbers alone do not capture his essence. Certain flash-points have emblazoned him onto our sub-conscience: like pitching with his jersey covered in blood, running a cattle ranch during the off season, and the iconic brawl where Nolan walloped the 20 years younger Robin Ventura. Despite mythical moments and statistical brilliance, Ryan's career is a study in extremes. Not only does he hold the record for most walks and most wild pitches, but he's also given up the most grand-slams and the most stolen bases. Many of today's baseball analysts don't consider him to be among the greats. With all this in mind, the film will pose the question: Where does Ryan fit in the ever evolving game of baseball?

Read More

Read Less

Watch on Fandango at Home

Premiered Oct 17

Buy Now

Fandango at Home

Netflix

Prime Video

Apple TV

Watch Facing Nolan with a subscription on Netflix, rent on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV, or buy on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV.

Critics Consensus

Essential viewing for baseball fans and just as captivating for the uninitiated, Facing Nolan pays persuasive tribute to one of the sport's greatest characters.

Read Critics Reviews

Trinity S

An amazing movie that captures a time when even if you weren't a baseball enthusiast or even really knew much about baseball you knew who Nolan Ryan was. A great film with great interviews and just an overall good time to watch.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

Full Review

Todd L

An intimate look at a fierce competitor, who is also a devoted family man.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/11/23

Full Review

Michele B

I loved it! Any baseball fan will appreciate this very well done documentary. The story being told from the perspective of those who faced Ryan made all the difference. I walked away being reminded of my love of the game!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/10/22

Full Review

Robert H

Watching Facing Nolan was an absolute joy. His baseball accomplishments are legendary and his many records will never be broken. More importantly, this film captures Nolan and his supportive beautiful wife Ruth. The sacrifices she must have made to support his career I can only imagine. His family especially his children and grandchildren and the total love of their family is what makes this so special. Nolan was a fierce competitor; a true warrior in every sense of the word. However off the field he's as humble a human being as I've ever seen. His family is everything to him. I grew up a NY Mets fan and did get to root for him and watch him pitch. He was just a kid back then. Watching him pitch even if not for the Mets was a total joy. He was as great a pitcher as any the game has ever seen. This film brought a smile to my heart and a tear to my heart. Nolan, Ruth, thank you for all the wonderful memories.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/08/22

Full Review

Patrick S

Completely astounding subject. Completely normal documentary.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

10/26/22

Full Review

Audience Member

While the structure and content of this sports documentary is pretty typical and straightforward, producer Russell Groves and director Bradley Jackson wisely kept their focus on Ryan the baseball legend and what made hims such an enormous figure in the sport, while also showing him away from the game and who he is off the field. Ryan was a singular figure in his own way, as a pitcher and a personality. It's good to see that even with all the intimidation and formidable force he exuded on the mound, he stayed a grounded and much loved man for both family and fans when not on the field. It's also nice to see what an important influence his wife has been all these decades they've been together. She's a pretty interesting figure herself. 3.6 stars

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/20/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Post a rating

Bradley Jackson

Director

Nolan Ryan

Self

George W. Bush

Self

Iván Rodríguez

Self

Randy Johnson

Self

Rod Carew

Self

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

100%

92%

Say Hey, Willie Mays!

TRAILER

for Say Hey, Willie Mays!

78%

%

Maybe This Year

91%

%

La Guerra Civil

98%

96%

It Ain't Over

TRAILER

for It Ain't Over

100%

89%

Shane

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Facing Nolan: Trailer 1

2:10

View more videos

View more photos

Noel Murray

Los Angeles Times

While it may not be formally groundbreaking, this doc is still a treat for die-hard baseball fans, who should enjoy seeing footage from games ranging from the ’60s to the ’90s.

Jul 22, 2022

Full Review

Brandon Towns

RogerEbert.com

A baseball fan’s dream come true.

Rated: 3.5/4

Jun 24, 2022

Full Review

Richard Roeper

Chicago Sun-Times

An unapologetically sincere biography that plays like an old Saturday Evening Post cover come to life.

Rated: 3/4

May 20, 2022

Full Review

Dan Buffa

Dose of Buffa

Ryan’s story should be told and celebrated for decades. He’s as old school as it gets, but I have a feeling young baseball fans, even ones who never got to see him pitch live on television, will get a kick out of this.

Rated: B+

Feb 9, 2023

Full Review

Mark Jackson

Epoch Times

The fastest pitch in baseball was 105.1 mph, thrown in 2010. MLB's pitching GOAT, Nolan Ryan, threw a blazing 100.8 mph heater for 27 years and set an incredible amount of untouchable records. A heartwarming tale of a modern-day baseball Paul Bunyan.

Rated: 4/5

Oct 9, 2022

Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson

Combustible Celluloid

A bit of myth-making, but it's also highly entertaining.

Rated: 3/4

Sep 24, 2022

Full Review

Read all reviews

Synopsis

Nolan Ryan's numbers tell a story, but numbers alone do not capture his essence. Certain flash-points have emblazoned him onto our sub-conscience: like pitching with his jersey covered in blood, running a cattle ranch during the off season, and the iconic brawl where Nolan walloped the 20 years younger Robin Ventura. Despite mythical moments and statistical brilliance, Ryan's career is a study in extremes. Not only does he hold the record for most walks and most wild pitches, but he's also given up the most grand-slams and the most stolen bases. Many of today's baseball analysts don't consider him to be among the greats. With all this in mind, the film will pose the question: Where does Ryan fit in the ever evolving game of baseball?

Director: Bradley Jackson
Executive Producer: David Check, Reese Ryan, Reid Ryan, Don Sanders, Ricky Stuart II, Nolan Ryan
Distributor: Fathom Events
Production Co: The Ranch Productions
Genre: Documentary, Biography
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 24, 2022, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 19, 2022

Most Popular at Home Now