Although it centers around the game of football and the two main characters Brian Piccolo (James Caan) and Gale Sayers (Billy Dee Williams), it isn’t a story about football.

It is the story of looking into the hearts and souls of man and liking what you find there. It is the story of determination and comradeship that transports itself off the playing field and into the homes and lives of Piccolo and Sayers, as well as the balance of the Chicago Bears.

Brian Piccolo was not a man afraid to show his feelings. He was not a man afraid to face his demons. He did not turn his back on his friends and family. He did not close himself into a shell. Brian Piccolo embraced life with a rare quality found in few.

Gale Sayers was as shy as Brian was outgoing. When faced with his injuries that had the capability to end his career, Sayers closed himself into a shell, refusing to face his demons head on. Brian made him look those demons square in the eyes.

Piccolo was boisterous and outgoing, Sayers was shy and retreating. They were the perfect combination - opposing personalities, opposing teammates. Theirs was a unique teaming of love, devotion and spirit. I believe one needed the other just as much in their life equally.

Brian Piccolo was a man that set his vision on a goal and worked his entire life to achieve that goal, despite the overwhelming odds against him. His determination to become a starting player on the Chicago Bears was a quality to carried over into his personal life, and I believe it was a feeling that transferred itself to the entire team, coaches, fans and most especially Gale Sayers.

Brian Piccolo was not a man to accept defeat. Always on the edge of the field, always wanting more, always striving, giving, loving, teasing, laughing and challenging.

At age 26 Brian Piccolo met a challenge he could not defeat.

I believed when I saw this movie, and still believe to this day that Gale Sayers was one of the most accomplished players there ever has been in football. Sure, there have been scores of people before him and scores since him, but his quality of play, his finesse, his love of the game has made me a fan for years and I greatly admire him. There are few men, and even fewer athletes, that I admire. Gale Sayers is one of them. Watching him perform his sport is like watching a ballet.

Caan and Williams were absolutely wonderful in this movie. I loved the interaction between these two people, both as actors and in the parts they were playing. Despite the fact that Piccolo was so outgoing, Sayers always managed to turn his pranks back on him (loved the mashed potato incident). I would have been proud to have known either of these men personally.

In addition, I thought perhaps the most heartbreaking thing in this heartbreaking movie was when Piccolo told Sayers the story of how, in spite of his determination and prowess, he was always one tenth of a minute slower than someone else, there was always someone faster, bigger, better, that he had to compete against. This is the point, I believe, that you can truly see the quality of Piccolo’s desire to play football and Sayers, at this time, realizes that although he is the more accomplished player, Piccolo is indeed the better player.

The other quality of the movie, that was skirted around but definitely introduced, is the issue of black and white players becoming roommates. During the time frame of this movie the country was truly under a discrimination battle of its own. I thought Sayers faced this challenge with grace and the quality of man that he was showed through. I think one reason this particular segment, during this film, was so well done is because the movie was filmed only two years after the black/white race barrier had been broached in football.

I liked the fact that they used real footage at times, adding to the flavor of the movie, and the fact that they used real characters to play some of the parts. I believe Brian�s Song, along with Rudy are two movies that you should sit down and watch with your children. Not only do they teach great determination, and the ability to reach unattainable goals, but they also show a quality of love that is seldom seen anymore.

How remarkable is it that these two men, with such short careers in football, have made such an impact? Piccolo had really only one year in a starting position on the team. He signed with the Bears as a free agent in 1965 but never got a starting position until 1969. Gale Sayers career with the Bears started in 1965, the same as Piccolo, and his career with them ended in 1970. Oddly enough, that is also the year Piccolo died. In 1980, Wake Forest started the Brian Piccolo Cancer Fund and it continues to this day.

Let’s not overlook the song, you cannot forget the song. Probably one of the most beautiful and recognized songs today. As soon as you hear the opening chords, you can picture these two friends, these loving and competing friends, sprinting across that park side by side, wind blowing through their hair, lungs expanding and legs pumping, cheeks puffing out as they expel their last breaths with only one goal in mind � who is gonna buy the beer for being last.

Starring: James Caan, Billy Dee Williams, Jack Warden, Bernie Casey, Shelley Fabres, David Huddleston, Judy Pace, Abe Gibron, Jack Concannon, Ed O�Bradovich, Dick Butkus, Happy Hairston. Directed by Buzz Kulik, writers Gayle Sayers, Al Silverman, William Blinn, music Michel Legrand.

Thanks,
Susi




Recommended: Yes