The Jackie Robinson Story
by Alfred E. Green
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Jackie Robinson, Louise Beavers, Minor Watson, Richard Lane, Ruby DeeDirector: Alfred E. Green
Cinematographer: Ernest Laszlo
Editor: Arthur H. Nadel
Producer: Joseph H. Nadel
Producer: Mort Briskin
Producer: William Joseph Heineman
Writer: Arthur Mann
Writer: Lawrence Taylor
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono; Spanish (Subtitled); French (Subtitled)
Format: Black & White, Closed-captioned, DVD-Video, Full Screen, NTSC, Subtitled
Picture Format: Pan & Scan, 1.33:1
Running Time: 76 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2001-03-06
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
Movie Reviews of The Jackie Robinson Story
Movie Review: An American Legend
Summary: 5 Stars
The Jackie Robinson Story is the 1950 hit biopic on the then-superstar's life and career, focusing on the events that led to his integration of baseball via the Dodgers organization. In honor of the Jackie's contributions to athletics and society, Legend Films has colorized this once black and white film, hoping to introduce it to a new, modern audience and preserve it for future generations. Potential purchasers should note that a portion of the proceeds go to the Jackie Robinson Foundation, which consulted with Legend on the colorization process. As to the actual plot, I'm sure you all know how it ends.
Although the film's new color is this DVD's highlight, those of you who would prefer to relive nostalgic childhood moments or are simply averse to altering old movies, can view the thoughtfully view the included black and white version. You'll be directed to select color or black and white on the DVD's menu. Even if you have no interest in the colorization, this is the definitive Jackie Robinson Story DVD to purchase, because in order to properly colorize a film, the black and white must be cleaned up and re-mastered, noticeably improving the picture quality.
The film's big box-office draw was the fact that Jackie Robinson played himself, and that is no less of the appeal today. After all, how many national heroes star in the biography? And, as my baseball-addicted friend pointed out, it's quite interesting to see Jackie and others from that era play baseball in a cinema-quality style shoot (he in particular loved to see how the game has developed over time, and often laments about the mostly poor quality archival footage that exists).
And, although she clearly plays second fiddle to #42, this movie represents Ruby Dee's true mainstream debut, and we all know how her career eventually ended.
Summary of The Jackie Robinson Story
In this "four-star, straightforward account" (Blockbuster Entertainment Guide) of the man who opened athletic doors for people of all ethnicities, Jackie Robinson plays himself so well that "he can drop the diamond for the sound stages any day he chooses" (The Hollywood Reporter)! Jackie Robinson's uphill battle to the big leagues began when he was just a little boy. Given a mitt and a chance, Jackie easily proved how good he was on the field. But it would take more than just his amazing talent to get him to the top. Being African American in a time of racial discord, Jackie had to break through impossible barriers to get his shot. By playing hard and overcoming unbelievable odds, Jackie proved that he was not only one of the best players ever to set foot on a majorleague diamond, but also one of the bravest men ever to grace American sports!The vintage film biography The Jackie Robinson Story is unusual in that Robinson portrays himself, and the movie was produced in 1950, barely three years after he took up his position at second base for the Brooklyn Dodgers and broke the "color line" in professional baseball. After providing a fast portrayal of Robinson's early life, up to his collegiate sports career at UCLA and his stint in the U.S. Army, the story turns serious when Branch Rickey offers him a contract to play for a Brooklyn Dodgers farm team. Interestingly, some of the scenes, such as an incident when Robinson and his teammates were being locked out of a stadium at a spring training game in Florida, may have more impact with viewers today than when the film was first released. --Robert J. McNamara
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