Rollerball (1975)

My Review

“Rollerball” is a science fiction film set in the year 2018 where corporations have replaced nation-states and their governments. Rollerball is the most popular game in the world, an often violent sport with teams representing every section of the world. Director Norman Jewison (“Fiddler on the Roof” 1971) put together a dry and tedious futuristic drama with mediocre writing by William Harrison. Much of the movie’s 129 minute running time moves slowly and is, quite frankly, boring. This is despite a musical score written by Andre Previn.

The performances are a strong suit of the film, with a cast that includes James Caan, John Houseman, Maud Adams, John Beck, Moses Gunn, Ralph Richardson, Pamela Hensley, Bert Kwouk, Robert Ito, Sarah Douglas, Bob Miller, Dick Enberg, and Richard LaParmentier, who would soon gain fame as Admiral Motti in “Star Wars” (1977). “Rollerball” did have some success in theaters for producer Norman Jewison, Algonquin Films, and United Artists. It was filmed in Germany and England.