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The League

Play trailer Poster for The League PG Released Jul 7, 2023 1h 43m Documentary History Sports Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
96% Tomatometer 48 Reviews 80% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
THE LEAGUE celebrates the dynamic journey of Negro League baseball's triumphs and challenges through the first half of the twentieth century. The story is told through previously unearthed archival footage and never-before-seen interviews with legendary players like Satchel Paige and Buck O'Neil -- whose early careers paved the way for the Jackie Robinson era -- as well as celebrated Hall of Famers Willie Mays and Hank Aaron who started out in the Negro Leagues. From entrepreneurial titans Cumberland Posey and Gus Greenlee, whose intense rivalry fueled the rise of two of the best baseball teams ever to play the game, to Effa Manley, the activist owner of the Newark Eagles and the only woman ever admitted to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, THE LEAGUE explores Black baseball as an economic and social pillar of Black communities and a stage for some of the greatest athletes to ever play the game, while also examining the unintended consequences of integration.
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The League

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Critics Consensus

Exploring American history through the lens of the national pastime, The League is essential for sports fans and valuable viewing for audiences of all persuasions.

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Critics Reviews

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Tim Cogshell FilmWeek (KPCC - NPR Los Angeles) Both the history and the filmmaking here are extraordinary. Jul 22, 2023 Full Review Oliver Jones Observer By presenting this crucial cultural phenomenon in a staid documentary form and in the reverent tone of a hushed docent, The League has the unintentional impact of making Black baseball seem like ancient rather than living history. Rated: 2/4 Jul 17, 2023 Full Review Noel Murray Los Angeles Times Ultimately, Pollard’s film is equal parts tribute and lament, as complicated as this country. Jul 14, 2023 Full Review Loren King Newport This Week (RI) It’s a superb baseball film because it places the game in the context of American social and economic history; it’s a sport film even for people who don’t like sports. Apr 5, 2024 Full Review Tynan Yanaga Film Inquiry I believe baseball holds a mirror to where our society has been and where it went across the expanse of the 20th century, The League is a crucial part of this story. Dec 9, 2023 Full Review Scott Hines Decider If you love baseball, you’re probably aching a little bit with the prospect of a long winter between us and spring training. The League is a great chance to scratch that itch while rounding out your knowledge of the national pastime. Nov 10, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (12) audience reviews
Kathy S Covered more of the history of the Negro League than I have learned from other sources . Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/12/23 Full Review Megan e Fantastic documentary! So important to watch this! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/18/23 Full Review Jason T I am NOT a Yankees Fan, that's an understatement, but as a Beloved Fan of America's Game.... Yogi Berra is what baseball embodies from its conception. Amazing film and amazing man & don't forget even more amazing athlete. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/31/23 Full Review Vernon B I thoroughly enjoyed the movie. I was brought up with the history of baseball, but little attention to the Negro Leagues. Of course,vthe shadow of racism is omnipresent. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/27/23 Full Review Tim W I am very interested on this subject. The question I had going in: will this cover the Negro Leagues better than Ken Burn's epic doc Baseball? The answer is, sadly, no. While much of the material is the same Baseball does a better job of; covering the key players (particularly Jackie Robinson), following the story over decades and integrating (sorry) the story of the Negro Leagues into the background of baseball writ large and american society. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 07/26/23 Full Review Allen S Fantastic film about legends who weren't allowed to compete because of discrimination. They forged their own league and excelled Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/20/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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Movie Info

Synopsis THE LEAGUE celebrates the dynamic journey of Negro League baseball's triumphs and challenges through the first half of the twentieth century. The story is told through previously unearthed archival footage and never-before-seen interviews with legendary players like Satchel Paige and Buck O'Neil -- whose early careers paved the way for the Jackie Robinson era -- as well as celebrated Hall of Famers Willie Mays and Hank Aaron who started out in the Negro Leagues. From entrepreneurial titans Cumberland Posey and Gus Greenlee, whose intense rivalry fueled the rise of two of the best baseball teams ever to play the game, to Effa Manley, the activist owner of the Newark Eagles and the only woman ever admitted to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, THE LEAGUE explores Black baseball as an economic and social pillar of Black communities and a stage for some of the greatest athletes to ever play the game, while also examining the unintended consequences of integration.
Director
Sam Pollard
Producer
Robin Espinola, David Sirulnick, Jen Isaacson, Byron Motley, Jon Kamen
Distributor
Magnolia Pictures
Production Co
Two One Five Entertainment, 2929 Productions, RadicalMedia, Play/Action Pictures, Yabba Biri Productions
Rating
PG (Some Violent Images|A Racial Slur|Smoking|Racism|Thematic Content)
Genre
Documentary, History, Sports
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 7, 2023, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Jul 14, 2023
Box Office (Gross USA)
$69.2K
Runtime
1h 43m
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