61*

Rating:
Summary: The Wrong Guy
Review: A wonderfully directed story about Roger Maris, an unlikely and unliked hero, battling for the most coveted record in baseball - home run king. Forced to fight a neck-to-neck battle against the most popular man in sports - Mickey Mantle - the reclusive and private Maris overcomes all obstacles in his ultimate triumph for a piece of history. The film is worth it just for the special effects that recreate the "old" Yankee Stadium. Solid acting, wonderful cinematography and music all combine to make it a great view.

Rating:
Summary: A BASEBALL MOVIE CLASSIC
Review: This is a great addition to other classic baseball films such as "Pride of The Yankees" and "The Natural". I've been loving the game of baseball since the first game I attended in 1969 between the Mets and Dodgers. This movie recaptures some of the magic that seems to have been lost in professional sports during recent years. The actors who portrayed Mantle and Maris were quite convincing in this picture. Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Well done!
Review: This is a very well done 1-year biography of 2 baseball legends. The acting was excellent, in that both Mantle's and Maris' facial expressions and manerism were represented very accurately (even the style of their swing). It is wonderful to see the contrasting personalities. The only flaw was in that Mantle was represented as slightly taller than Maris, when in actuallity Mantle (5'11") was about 1 inch shorter than Maris. Also, the movie portrayed Whitey Ford as much taller than his actual 5'9" (though they listed him at 5'10").

For anyone who was a baseball fan during this magical period, or for anyone who loves baseball, this is a great movie. It accurately depicts the politics that exist in every team, and the reporters' and fans' lack of objectivity (the more things change, the more they stay the same).

Great job Mr. Crystal!

Rating:
Summary: *61, An Awesome Movie
Review: Billy Crystal's love of baseball and esp. the New York Yankees is a "labor of love". The character study of Maris & Mantle is top notch, I was an 11 year old girl, who along with everyone else in school, snuck little transistor radios into class, to keep tabs on the homerun race between Mantle & Maris. I never knew all the behind the scenes "stuff" going on, the threats and pressure on Maris and also on Mickey Mantle, he was an American institution, and still is! Billy Crystal was right on the money picking Barry Pepper and Thomas Janes, they BECAME Maris & Mantle, it was almost eerie watching this movie. This is a must if you are a collector of baseball movies, like The Natural,
Eight Men Out, etc... it was filmed in the Old Tigers Stadium, but it sure looked and felt like Yankee Stadium to me.

Rating:
Summary: 61*
Review: I bought 61* on DVD. I am happy to say that I am not disappointed with the DVD at all! It is probably one of the greatest movies about sports ever written. It is undoubtedly the best movie ever written about baseball. If this movie is not part of your collection, make it one. You won't regret it. I am not a major sports fan at all and I love this movie!

Rating:
Summary: Billy, you blew it!
Review: I love baseball. I love baseball movies. (Kevin Costner occupies a space on the wall in my office). I love the romance of baseball that has been passed on to me from my father. He grew up in Queens in the 40's and 50's and pulled for the Dodgers. He passed that love on to me. I remember my first game - 1969, Mets vs. Reds, as much as I remember my wedding day. I try to pass on to my children the same romance my father passed on to me. When I picked up the DVD last night I was excited at the prospect of sharing it with my 13 year old son.

HBO film, no rating. If it was, unfortunately it would be an R. I know Mickey wasn't a saint, but in sharing a magic moment like 1961, was it really necessary to know that he used the F word more often than he hit homeruns? And why is Babe Ruth's wife painted as an early version of Roseanne?

I wanted so badly to share this one with my son, to be able to bond some more over something as great as the drama of 61. Unfortunately, Mr. Çhrystal and I have differing opinions over the amount of language necessary to portray a story. Billy - you blew it, and in doing so you lowered your movie from a classic to just another Hollywood has been.

Thanks.

Rating:
Summary: Great Flick
Review: A great story of the human drive to go out and do your best, regardless of what others do or say.

While Mantle was revered as a god, poor Maris must've felt like the guys drafted into the Army during Vietnam - thinking they're doing their patriotic duty, just to come home and get spit on as a result. I wasn't alive at the time so I can't comment on the accuracy of the film, but it's entertaining whether or not you are a baseball fan (and if you are I'm sure you'll want to add this DVD to your collection.)

Rating:
Summary: Very solid baseball movie..
Review: I was a little surprised by this one. I had heard good things from Ebert and Roeper around the time of it's original broadcast, but my hopes weren't incredibly high. I am not the biggest baseball fan, in fact I really don't like baseball much at all. This makes it difficult for me to understand why I tend to enjoy baseball movies. EIGHT MEN OUT-that's a great baseball movie. But this really was a good little film. I was nervous about Billy Crystal's direction(and the film is a little over-scored ealry on, but get's better). It's just a really good story(if a sad one) and it makes for a great movie. Also has a commentary by BIlly Crystal which is pretty good, and a featurette. I have to reccomend it!

Rating:
Summary: 61* is simply the best baseball film of all time.
Review: If you have been looking for the next great baseball film, then look no more. Supported by a flawless screenplay, incredible baseball action, capable direction, and incredible performances, 61* shows what can be done with a little passion, patience, and attention to detail.
The greatest theme in the film is that of the media, and how ignorant sports writers -- who have never played an inning in their lives -- could effect players' lives.
Dealing with subject matter all baseball fans are familiar with, it was essential to craft a character-driven story in order to successfully exploit the most dramatic elements. In 61*, we do not see Mickey Mantle as Superman, nor do we see Maris a shy slugger from Fargo; what we do see is two strong men confronting their fears in the face of immense stress from families, fans, owners, the media, and the ghost of Babe Ruth. And they do this as ONLY Yankees could do.

Rating:
Summary: For The Love of Baseball Greats and Their Love Of the Game
Review: This is difinitely a must see movie.It deals with the true nature of the game of baseball, the love of the game that these players had. They weren't in it for the money, they played because they love the game.It also shows that no matter what life puts in your path that you still go on, such as Maris did even when faced with the hate mail and the crank calls,like he said when Mantle told him to gorget about the hate mail. Maris's response was he couldn't because there good ones from the kids and he couldn't disappoint the kids,to him that was all it was about. And even Mantle who was battling with his health he still continued as did many great players. This film is an inspiration to all, about what we can acheive if we try. This film was very important in my house even more, because I have a son with special needs and he loves baseball and wants to play proffessionally someday, even with all that he has wrong, he somehow has found the abilitiy to throw a ball hard and fast enough that is hurts a grown mans hand when they catch it, and he hits a ball that just seems to fly. This movie meant alot to him, that no matter what he faces in life that his dream can come true. This movie has the ability to have people see what the game and the men Maris and Mantle stood for, its a movie for all to see and I hope they do, I watch it alot. It gives me the feeling that you are there with them and you feel every emotion , good or bad with them, and you walk away feeling something different and new everytime.Don't just take my word for it, see the movie and you will see the magic it has.