Rating: 
Summary: Brian's Song
Review: On November 30, 1971, Brian's Song aired on television for the first time. I was in labor and wouldn't leave for the hospital until the movie was over. I had my daughter at 1:17 A.M., December 1, 1971.
Several years ago I purchased Brian's Song on video.
Last week, my daughter invited me to come over to her house on the evening of November 30, 2001 and bring the video. She said that we would watch the movie together just like we did 30 years ago! This movie will always be special to us.
Rating:
Summary: All time GREAT movie
Review: One of the best films to have ever been made. When you stop and think about the time frame this movie and this real life situation occured, you have to be amazed. I'm sure there is renewed interest now with the passing of another Bears great, Walter Payton. This movie will leave you touched beyond words, you will feel the need to watch it over and over. This is a movie for all sex's, ages and races. Enjoy, but remember to bring the tissues, fo you WILL need them.
Rating: 
Summary: Dated and heavy-handed, but hard to resist
Review: The race relations theme, so topical when "Brian's Song" was released, is still relevant but looks a bit quaint here. And the direction is terribly heavy-handed. For instance, when the main character sits on a plate of mashed potatoes, we get a cutaway close-up of the potatoes as he sits on them, just to let us know what's happening in case we'd left the room. And someone should have nudged the player standing just behind and to the side of Williams when he's telling the team about Sayers' condition--he's crying even before the news is out.This movie actually needed its commercial breaks, because it was cut like a television program, with orchestral climaxes leading into fadeouts every twenty minutes or so. See Spielberg's "Duel" for a seamless film that worked as well in theaters as it did on TV (better--it really needed to be uninterrupted). Still, it's an affecting story, and beautifully acted, with a fitting score for a simple tearjerker. Just don't expect a real film.
Rating:
Summary: Tearjerker? Definitely! Classic Film? Yep to that too!
Review: The true story of Chicago Bear Brian Piccolo and his steadfast friendship with fellow teammate, Gayle Sayers, will tug at your heart and make you want to call your friends, just to say thanks for the gift of friendship! This film was done very well by James Caan & Billy Dee Williams. The story of these two friends...to the death...is one the whole family can enjoy (there are some racial slurs, so beware in front of the children). A must see by far! And don't just bring it out at Super Bowl time...enjoy it all year long! Yes, it's a football film, but it's so much more than that!
Rating:
Summary: Courage, love, respect, faith, happiness...
Review: This is a movie for all fathers and sons to watch together...Living our lives for others and with others takes special care and nuturing... I named my son after Brian... It is amazing how their lives have shadowed each other in the last 25 years...
Rating:
Summary: A few comments
Review: This movie was one of the most loved made-for-TV-films of the decade, and in fact won 5 Emmy awards, if I remember right. But I'd never seen it until I rented it recently. I didn't realize that until Piccolo and Sayres became roommates, that this hadn't been done before in the NFL, and that they were the first.
The movie follows Piccolo and Sayres from their first encounter at a team training camp through their team try-out and first year with the team, which was quite successful for both of them, especially Sayres. We see the friendship between the two players develop and how they encouraged and helped each other through the rough spots, the good times and the bad, of a professional ballplayer's life. When Sayres, after a brilliant start to the season, suffers a severe knee injury, Piccolo challenges the discouraged Sayres to overcome the injury. Through intensive physical therapy and training (and spurred on by Piccolo, who refuses to take no for answer), Sayres recovers and returns to the field.
In some ways the film seems a little dated now; for example, the dying scene hasn't really held up that well, but overall, it's still a heartwarming film about the relationship between two very different friends. Sayres is shy and retiring and a man of few words, whereas Piccolo is much more extraverted and talkative, but they still became friends and supported each other through the ups and downs of their all too brief but in many ways inspiring friendship and relationship. Last but not least, Jack Warden is good as the savvy and benevolent coach who helps Piccolo and Sayres over some of the rough spots and really has their best interests at heart.
Rating:
Summary: A truly outstanding film
Review: This story of Chicago Bears teammates Gale Sayers (played by Billy Dee Williams) and cancer-stricken Brian Piccolo (James Caan) is indeed an all-time classic--as powerful for the non-sports fan as the football enthusiast. I saw this for the first time as a junior high school kid in 1979...I cried my eyes out, and I did the same thing when I saw it again in college a few years later. Sayers and Piccolo couldn't have been different-- Sayers was a shy black kid from Kansas and on his way to the NFL Hall of Fame, while Piccolo was a gregarious white kid from the south who had to get used to the idea of being second banana. The film is a time capsule of this era (late 1960's) in its mentions of then-current events (Vietnam, race riots, etc), and a marvelous look at a friendship which ultimately transcended all the differences between these men and brought them close as Piccolo's condition deteriorated. Powerful performances by Caan and Williams which stand the test of time--this one will never lose its impact or immediacy.
Rating:
Summary: One Of The Best Ever!
Review: This would have to be classified as one of the best ever.The movie depicts the friendship of Brian Picolo and Gale Sayers.The two become roommates and as a result intimate friends. As football buffs well know Gale Sayers became one of the best running backs in this history of the game. This fine movie shows the careers of the two football players from up close. Brian Picolo is stricken with cancer. The support shown him by his friens Gale Sayers is very moving and touching. The characters of Picolo and Sayers are well played by Billy Dee Williams and James Caan. The plot is well above average. I could hardly wait for a new year to roll around so thar I could see Brian's Song again. Be forewarned,this is a tear jerker but also one of the better movies you will ever see.
Rating:
Summary: Good football film
Review: What a powerful film. I had to stop the movie just to get back my composure. The part that I cry on is the locker room scene where Gale must tell his teammates that Brian has cancer. When he broke down, so did I. I like the relationship between Brian and Gale. It's not only competitive, but loving. Brian helps Gale back to 100% not only because he wants some competition, but also out of friendship and respect. The two become closer and eventually stand by one another. That is what makes Brian's Song the ultimate tearjearker. 5 stars all the way.
Rating:
Summary: Can't Beat a Classic
Review: Whe I heard that the folks at ABC were remaking "Brian's song",
I was really upset... Why tamper with success,and why remake one of the most beautiful movies ever! I saw Brian's song during its original broadcast back in 1971, and thought it was one of the best. James Caan and Billy Dee Williams are superb as Brian Piccolo and Gale Sayers. The supporting cast, including Shelly Fabares as Joy and Judy Pace as Linda are also excellent as is Jack Warden as Papa Bear Halas. If you really want to see this movie go for the original!
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