Rollerball

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Rollerball

R

Released Jan 1, 1975

2h 8m

Sci-Fi

Action

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

56%

Tomatometer

111 Reviews

62%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

The year is 2018 in a futuristic society where corporations have replaced countries. A violent futuristic game known as Rollerball is the recreational sport of the world, with teams representing various areas. One player, Jonathan E., fights for his personal freedom and threatens the corporate control.

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Critics Consensus

Its dystopia vision is presented with striking brutality and visual splendor, but Rollerball is often undermined by shallow characterizations and a script that delivers social critique without much conviction.

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Martin Knelman

Globe and Mail

The combat brutality is strictly routine, and fails entirely to relieve the excruciating lethargy of Rollerball.

Oct 8, 2025

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Molly Haskell

Village Voice

So confused and so poorly articulated is Jewison's vision of the future, that it's hard to know what the message is.

Jun 5, 2025

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David Robinson

The Times (UK)

It is in fact a simple tale, the familiar theme of sci-fi back to Metropolis, despite the costly dressing and the confusions of William Harrison's ill-made screenplay.

Jun 5, 2025

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Lou Cedrone

Baltimore Sun

Jewison is nothing if not imaginative, and his film, while dramatically thin, is so technically, so structurally handsome, I enjoyed it throughout.

Oct 7, 2025

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Alan Jones

Radio Times

Although the Rollerball sequences are excitingly staged, director Norman Jewison's over-inflated Big Brother fable is dull and obvious when it leaves the skating arena.

Rated: 3/5

Aug 31, 2025

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Frances Taylor

Newark Star-Ledger

The story fails to involve us in the intimate lives of any of the characters. "Rollerball" becomes a long stunt.

Aug 27, 2025

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john w

Has aged better than most movies of its ilk, but cannot be judged by today's critics , at the time of its release it was already a cult classic , us teenagers talked of little else , it was a sensation, not many of today's movies can create such a buzz

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/01/25

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Russ G

James Caan and John Houseman positively rule this movie. How anyone could give it fewer than four stars is beyond me. Protagonist Jonathan E is the biggest star in the sport, but you'll be rooting for an underdog, with global elites attempting to crush the individual.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/29/25

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Jordi H

I saw it when it was new and I just rented it again, and it has aged very well.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/27/25

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Mons G

Great concept stylishly executed but the snail-like pace of the storytelling and undynamic acting make this frustrating viewing.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/14/25

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darren l

Great movie surreal feeling through out especially the magnificent classical sound track that makes you soar think and be strong luxury lifestyle is a illusion of control the main character Jonathan e fights against this with what he is good at the brutal sport of rollerball unique film and great action 1970s films a slower pace which is a lot better than modern films which a to quick and over the top rollerball 1975 great film highly recommended

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/13/25

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Antony Y

I love the film. I'm actually wearing a Jonathan 6 T shirt at the moment, BUT I love the film probably like most others. Love the game aspect, not a clue about the rest of it. I've been asked how to describe it. Countries don't exist. Corporations do. The corporation are trying to retire Jonathan as the crowd support him and not the team. (I think) The Rollerball game itself is an ultra violent version or Roller Derby. It's at least worth 1 watch.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/05/25

Full Review

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Norman Jewison

Director

James Caan

Jonathan E.

John Houseman

Bartholomew

Maud Adams

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John Beck

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Synopsis

The year is 2018 in a futuristic society where corporations have replaced countries. A violent futuristic game known as Rollerball is the recreational sport of the world, with teams representing various areas. One player, Jonathan E., fights for his personal freedom and threatens the corporate control.

Director: Norman Jewison
Producer: Norman Jewison
Screenwriter: William Harrison, William Harrison
Distributor: United Artists
Production Co: United Artists, Algonquin
Rating: R
Genre: Sci-Fi, Action
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 1, 1975, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 16, 2008
Runtime: 2h 8m
Sound Mix: Stereo
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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