Rating: 
Summary: Superb movie but needs extras
Review: "Bang the Drum Slowly" is a line taken from the cowboy dirge "The Steets of Laredo" which is about a cowboy dying young."Bang the Drum Slowly" which is based on a novel by the same name, is about a dying dim-witted, country boy catcher and a sophisticated, star pitcher. The catcher (Pearson), played by Robert DeNiro, is dying from Hogkin's disease and the only one who knows about it is the Michael Moriarty character (Arthur). The story goes on how Arthur is suddenly nice to Pearson. No one knows why and everyone becomes more resentful of Pearson. Slowly everyone learns that Pearson is dying and starts to treat Pearson nicer. In addition, the team, a talented but bickering group of ballplayers, are finally united because of Pearson's condition and go on to win the series. The continued subtle references to the business side of baseball pulls us back to the harsh reality of life and prevents the movie from being too corny. The movie is superb, but the DVD would have been better if some extras were included especially if there were something about history of free agency in baseball. $124,000 is not even the the base pay of today's rookie major leaguer, but in 1974 (when the movie was made) this was a huge amount of money. 1974 was also significant because this was the year that Andy Messersmith of the Dodger's challenged the reserve clause and became the first free agent.
Rating:
Summary: From here on in, I rag nobody.......
Review: "Plain old mother talk aint no ways strong enough to describe such a terrible mixup is life, Arthur. But I swear, my son's been handed one s**t deal!"One of the finer movies of its era, Bang the Drum Slowly is the story of a big-league pitcher, superbly played by Michael Moriarty, and his roommate, a catcher dieing from Hodgkin's disease played by a young Robert DeNiro in a wonderful performance that will come as a surprise to many used to the, by now familiar, DeNiro persona. Here he is a dumb-as-dirt, but amiable Georgia farm boy and he is absolutely believable in the role. A touching story told with great humor, I think it one of the best baseball movies made, though it really isn't about baseball. This is the 70's, before super star salaries and temperaments have forever changed the game, when Managers were still King and the top salary of an ace pitcher was 100K. The film is told at a leisurely pace, 70's style, somewhat episodically, which will put some off. Quite frankly I loved the sidetrips and distractions, because it allows a great cast to all have their moments. Vincent Gardenia as Dutch, the prototypical big league Manager "Never mind the facts, give me details" a cigarette forever planted on his lower lip, ashes dripping down his chest; Phil Foster hooking unsuspecting fans to play TEGWAR (The Exciting Game Without Any Rules)with himself & Arthur; Patick McVey as the father; Marshall Ephron as the weasely Bradley; the scheming Ann Wedgewood: Selma Diamond, Danny Aiello and others. The story is narrated by Moriarty, and that narration and much of the dialogue is done in beautifully articulate mangled English. It feels lived-in. The story is told with an odd mixture of dead-pan delivery that is unsentimental and yet is very touching in the last analysis. Bittersweet. Although they avoid the big emotional "moment", the film builds its emotions slowly and carefully, and when it is done if you haven't been moved by this funny/sad story, well....too bad for you. Well worth your time, for some laughs, some tears, an insight or two and some sterling performances by Michael Moriarty and Robert DeNiro who hit all the right notes. "I don't know why you don't live it up all the time when dieing's just around the corner, but you don't. You'd think you would, but you don't." 4-1/2 Stars all the way.
Rating:
Summary: Superb movie but needs extras
Review: "Bang the Drum Slowly" is a line taken from the cowboy dirge "The Steets of Laredo" which is about a cowboy dying young."Bang the Drum Slowly" which is based on a novel by the same name, is about a dying dim-witted, country boy catcher and a sophisticated, star pitcher. The catcher (Pearson), played by Robert DeNiro, is dying from Hogkin's disease and the only one who knows about it is the Michael Moriarty character (Arthur). The story goes on how Arthur is suddenly nice to Pearson. No one knows why and everyone becomes more resentful of Pearson. Slowly everyone learns that Pearson is dying and starts to treat Pearson nicer. In addition, the team, a talented but bickering group of ballplayers, are finally united because of Pearson's condition and go on to win the series. The continued subtle references to the business side of baseball pulls us back to the harsh reality of life and prevents the movie from being too corny. The movie is superb, but the DVD would have been better if some extras were included especially if there were something about history of free agency in baseball. $124,000 is not even the the base pay of today's rookie major leaguer, but in 1974 (when the movie was made) this was a huge amount of money. 1974 was also significant because this was the year that Andy Messersmith of the Dodger's challenged the reserve clause and became the first free agent.
Rating:
Summary: From here on in, I rag nobody.......
Review: "Plain old mother talk aint no ways strong enough to describe such a terrible mixup is life, Arthur. But I swear, my son's been handed one s**t deal!" One of the finer movies of its era, Bang the Drum Slowly is the story of a big-league pitcher, superbly played by Michael Moriarty, and his roommate, a catcher dieing from Hodgkin's disease played by a young Robert DeNiro in a wonderful performance that will come as a surprise to many used to the, by now familiar, DeNiro persona. Here he is a dumb-as-dirt, but amiable Georgia farm boy and he is absolutely believable in the role. A touching story told with great humor, I think it one of the best baseball movies made, though it really isn't about baseball. This is the 70's, before super star salaries and temperaments have forever changed the game, when Managers were still King and the top salary of an ace pitcher was 100K. The film is told at a leisurely pace, 70's style, somewhat episodically, which will put some off. Quite frankly I loved the sidetrips and distractions, because it allows a great cast to all have their moments. Vincent Gardenia as Dutch, the prototypical big league Manager "Never mind the facts, give me details" a cigarette forever planted on his lower lip, ashes dripping down his chest; Phil Foster hooking unsuspecting fans to play TEGWAR (The Exciting Game Without Any Rules)with himself & Arthur; Patick McVey as the father; Marshall Ephron as the weasely Bradley; the scheming Ann Wedgewood: Selma Diamond, Danny Aiello and others. The story is narrated by Moriarty, and that narration and much of the dialogue is done in beautifully articulate mangled English. It feels lived-in. The story is told with an odd mixture of dead-pan delivery that is unsentimental and yet is very touching in the last analysis. Bittersweet. Although they avoid the big emotional "moment", the film builds its emotions slowly and carefully, and when it is done if you haven't been moved by this funny/sad story, well....too bad for you. Well worth your time, for some laughs, some tears, an insight or two and some sterling performances by Michael Moriarty and Robert DeNiro who hit all the right notes. "I don't know why you don't live it up all the time when dieing's just around the corner, but you don't. You'd think you would, but you don't." 4-1/2 Stars all the way.
Rating:
Summary: From here on in, I rag nobody.......
Review: "Plain old mother talk aint no ways strong enough to describe such a terrible mixup is life, Arthur. But I swear, my son's been handed one s**t deal!" One of the finer movies of its era, Bang the Drum Slowly is the story of a big-league pitcher, superbly played by Michael Moriarty, and his roommate, a catcher dieing from Hodgkin's disease played by a young Robert DeNiro in a wonderful performance that will come as a surprise to many used to the, by now familiar, DeNiro persona. Here he is a dumb-as-dirt, but amiable Georgia farm boy and he is absolutely believable in the role. A touching story told with great humor, I think it one of the best baseball movies made, though it really isn't about baseball. This is the 70's, before super star salaries and temperaments have forever changed the game, when Managers were still King and the top salary of an ace pitcher was 100K. The film is told at a leisurely pace, 70's style, somewhat episodically, which will put some off. Quite frankly I loved the sidetrips and distractions, because it allows a great cast to all have their moments. Vincent Gardenia as Dutch, the prototypical big league Manager "Never mind the facts, give me details" a cigarette forever planted on his lower lip, ashes dripping down his chest; Phil Foster hooking unsuspecting fans to play TEGWAR (The Exciting Game Without Any Rules)with himself & Arthur; Patick McVey as the father; Marshall Ephron as the weasely Bradley; the scheming Ann Wedgewood: Selma Diamond, Danny Aiello and others. The story is narrated by Moriarty, and that narration and much of the dialogue is done in beautifully articulate mangled English. It feels lived-in. The story is told with an odd mixture of dead-pan delivery that is unsentimental and yet is very touching in the last analysis. Bittersweet. Although they avoid the big emotional "moment", the film builds its emotions slowly and carefully, and when it is done if you haven't been moved by this funny/sad story, well....too bad for you. Well worth your time, for some laughs, some tears, an insight or two and some sterling performances by Michael Moriarty and Robert DeNiro who hit all the right notes. "I don't know why you don't live it up all the time when dieing's just around the corner, but you don't. You'd think you would, but you don't." 4-1/2 Stars all the way.
Rating:
Summary: Bang the Drum resonates with emotional meaning
Review: 'Bang the Drum Slowly' is the best type of film. It is engaging while you are watching it, and you still think about it days after you last saw it. Solid acting and a well-written, theme-laden story immediately snag the audience's attention. The film is humble in the scale of its focus on baseball and friendship, but the snapshots of romance, family and business add an emotional element to the story that would not have been there if the two main themes were stuck to. DeNiro and Moriarty do a great job with the two main characters. DeNiro does a great job aside from occasionally lapsing from a Southern GA accent to his typical NY Drawl (really, this is only evident a few times). Moriarty gives his character many facets as an all-star pitcher and an estute business man, but his facial expressions seem to be to stoic to me to really convey his emotions- the character is still very effective. In addition, I enjoyed the little things about this film. The music, use of slow motion, and well-placed comic relief were all used masterfully in this film. To close, a great baseball movie, and a great movie overall.
Rating: 
Summary: terrible baseball facts
Review: A moving story but not one to watch for the baseball aspect. They had the Mammoths playing AL and NL teams during the season, over 20 years before inter league play. All home and away games were filmed at Shea Stadium, corners were cut on the baseball story. The one meeting the pitcher has with the Red Sox player in the tunnel at Fenway is the same tunnel they came down after every home game in NY. Finally, after using all this Shea footage, during the rain delay that they waited out in the clubhouse the film shows a covered Yankee Stadium field in the rain. Baseball was a backdrop for this movie but they could of put a little more effort into the realism of the game.
Rating: 
Summary: Classic Film Finally out in DVD Version
Review: Bang the Drum Slowly is a film for anyone who loves sublime acting, droll humor, and a moving story that celebrates the human spirit. If you're a baseball fan, it's an added plus. The two stars--Michael Moriarty and Robert deNiro--debuted as leading men in this film and just watching these two youthful actors giving brilliant performances (as a likeably egocentic pitcher and his unsophisticated teammate) is a joy for movie fans. Vincent Gardenia is equally effective (and wonderfully funny) as the team's coach. The story---while dealing with the impending death of the team's pitcher played by deNiro----is never obvious, overdone or sentimental. Instead, the film affirms the values of friendship and teamwork with great subtlety and intelligence. Bang the Drum Slowly recently appeared on the NY Times list as one of the 1,000 greatest films ever made. I say the choice is right on.
Rating:
Summary: This is the "Brian's Song" of baseball movies
Review: Bang the Drum Slowly is quite possibly the best baseball film ever. It rivals Sayles' 8 Men Out and Field Of Dreams and stands alone as a very complex and emotional portrayal of a sick man playing out his dream. Robert DeNiro plays a somewhat reserved character in comparison to his Scorsese roles, and succeeds alongside Michael Moriarity in relaying the deft emotion constructed between the two baseball players. Sports films are always either horrible or excellent (Celtic Pride and Bad News Bears respectively) and this film is far beyond any rote definition of excellency. ZD
Rating:
Summary: A masterpiece of Americana
Review: Bang the Drum Slowly is quite possibly the best baseball film ever. It rivals Sayles' 8 Men Out and Field Of Dreams and stands alone as a very complex and emotional portrayal of a sick man playing out his dream. Robert DeNiro plays a somewhat reserved character in comparison to his Scorsese roles, and succeeds alongside Michael Moriarity in relaying the deft emotion constructed between the two baseball players. Sports films are always either horrible or excellent (Celtic Pride and Bad News Bears respectively) and this film is far beyond any rote definition of excellency. ZD
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