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Brian's Song

Play trailer Poster for Brian's Song TV-PG 2001 1h 36m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 4 Reviews 77% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
Although they both play for the Chicago Bears, Brian Piccolo (Sean Maher) is white, a joker and mostly rides the bench while Gale Sayers (Mekhi Phifer) is black, serious and a rookie superstar. Neither likes the other much, but when coach Halas (Ben Gazzara) makes them the first interracial roommates in the NFL, the two gradually form a sincere friendship. Piccolo helps Sayers overcome an injury, and Sayers later gives Piccolo much needed support when he's diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Critics Reviews

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John Leonard New York Magazine/Vulture 02/02/2018
It's just as much a weepie now as it was then, and just as sweet too. Go to Full Review Film Threat 01/09/2006
4/5
Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com 08/06/2005
2/5
Ryan Cracknell Apollo Guide 10/21/2002
70/100
A heart-warming story of camaraderie, courage and manipulated tears. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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06/07/2015 In my opinion the updated version of Brian's Song does a good job at what it was trying to accomplish which was highlight the friendship between Brian and Gale but wasn't as good as the original. It had good acting and the same great story but the character portrayals weren't as likable this outing. B See more 05/24/2013 What an incredible story I've never heard before. Must see movie. See more bill t 05/17/2013 OK, so Mekhi Phifer isn't Billy Dee Williams and Sean Maher isn't James Caan, still, there's a lot more going for this version of Brian's Song, that infamous 70's chestnut weepie. They've fleshed out the story a lot more here, taken a lot of unneccesary elements out, and strengthened up a lot of the female characters. Plus, this is a wee bit more believabke in showing us what a sick disease Cancer is (in the original, Caan doesn't really look like he's dying at all). This is the better one. See more 02/24/2013 Gets N0 love, there's already been a Brian's song with James Caan & Billy D. that was great, so this movie was a waist of time. I'll give u a half star just cause M. Pfeiffer was n it! I take that bacc cause putting Dean Spelling n it gives it 5 negative stars. Dean SUCKS!!! See more 02/22/2013 A Very Touching, Deeply Moving & Heart-Felt Story See more 09/23/2012 You can never remake a classic like this. See more Read all reviews
Brian's Song

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Cast & Crew

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John Gray

Director

Sean Maher

Brian Piccolo

Mekhi Phifer

Gale Sayers

Ben Gazzara

Coach Halas

Paula Cale

Joy Piccolo

Elise Neal

Linda Sayers
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Brian's Song

Brian's Song (2001) Brian's Song (2001) Brian's Song (2001) Brian's Song (2001) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Although they both play for the Chicago Bears, Brian Piccolo (Sean Maher) is white, a joker and mostly rides the bench while Gale Sayers (Mekhi Phifer) is black, serious and a rookie superstar. Neither likes the other much, but when coach Halas (Ben Gazzara) makes them the first interracial roommates in the NFL, the two gradually form a sincere friendship. Piccolo helps Sayers overcome an injury, and Sayers later gives Piccolo much needed support when he's diagnosed with terminal cancer.
Director
John Gray
Producer
John M. Eckert, Dave Mace
Screenwriter
John Gray, Allen Clare
Production Co
Storyline Entertainment, Columbia TriStar Television
Rating
TV-PG (L)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (DVD)
Jan 22, 2002
Runtime
1h 36m