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Rollerball
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Rollerball

1975
Sci-fi
Action
2h 5m
In a corporate controlled future, an ultra-violent sport known as Rollerball represents the world, and one of it's powerful athletes is out to defy those who want him out of the game. (imdb)
Directed by:
Norman Jewison Norman Jewison
Written by:
William Harrison
Starring:
James Caan James Caan Ralph Richardson Ralph Richardson Burt Kwouk Burt Kwouk John Houseman John Houseman Maud Adams John Beck John Beck Moses Gunn Moses Gunn Shane Rimmer Shane Rimmer John Normington Robert Ito Robert Ito Barbara Trentham Nancy Bleier
More
Franchise:
Rollerball
Genres:
Sci-fi, Action, Sport
Country:
USA
Language:
English
imdb More information at IMDb
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Rollerball

1975
Sci-fi
Action
2h 5m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 43.82% from 739 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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barthalenBarthalen
Rated 31 Dec 2014
70
55th
I came for the hopefully chuckleworthy roller-violence and stayed for the low-key dystopia. Sure, the movie is slow and we're not really stimulated to get invested emotionally, but I actually enjoyed the simplicity of it all. Not showing how the 'common man' lives makes sense, since the protagonist is too entrenched himself. A brilliant detail to show how all-encompassing The Corporate World is in this setting: using only one (easily recognizable) font for everything. Great final minutes.
Rated 31 Dec 2014
dean_franzDean Franz
Rated 14 Oct 2014
66
61st
Skate-rugby is, contrary to popular belief, extremely serious business.
Rated 14 Oct 2014
nobambanobamba
Rated 01 Feb 2020
30
15th
It was an okay distopian future film but not that great of a sports film. The game was boring to watch. The themes of the movie were constantly bonking you in the head. Probably would have worked better as a 20 minute short film with flashbacks as the audience slowly realizes the futility of it all. Fav scene: the final freeze frame sequence.
Rated 01 Feb 2020
mwgerbmwgerb
Rated 29 Aug 2013
58
61st
Don't bother with the remake. This is as close to great as the concept is going to get. While pretty straightforward (James Caan is the hero, overcoming difficulties within a dystopian future where bloodlust is the basis for the only worldwide sport), the scenes are generally effective, as is the simplistic message.
Rated 29 Aug 2013
luna6ixLuna6ix
Rated 05 Sep 2012
76
57th
When the remake came out, I hadn't a clue that this existed, and when I watched it I didn't realize that it had a social statement to make at all. Upon watching this one the scales fell away from my eyes. Good sci-fi movie, alright message, but it's still a sports movie and can only be so good.
Rated 05 Sep 2012
bownBown
Rated 27 Aug 2018
64
16th
I mean the scene where they keep lasering the trees was pretty good and it was funny how it kept waking up fellow criticker user Gnalkthere
Rated 27 Aug 2018
picklemanPickle_Man
Rated 03 Jul 2020
70
35th
Heavy-handedly dystopian and anti-corporate, but at the same time extremely vague on any kind of detail about the world beyond the rollerball arena. It sets itself up to be an investigative mystery but Caan's trip to the library goes nowhere. I like that it avoids the traditional plot wherin privileged rich character is drawn into the dystopian underworld and upon realizing how the underclass lives immediately becomes a revolutionary, but it doesn't really replace it with... anything.
Rated 03 Jul 2020
coheedCoheed
Rated 13 Aug 2011
70
58th
Despite being a fan of this, I realise on another viewing that this film isn't perfect; its biggest flaw is the dystopian story itself, which suffers from the lack of expansiveness of its corporate ruled world and the vagueness of it. What makes it still striking though is the rollerball itself; even if the message behind it is too obvious and questionable, the sequences as a barrage of sporting violence are still striking and potent.
Rated 13 Aug 2011
aaaaaaarrgggaaaaaaarrggg
Rated 18 May 2011
71
73rd
An underrated, ahead-of-its-time sci-fi actioner set in the 21st century. This exciting if overlong version of William Harrison's _The Rollerball Murders_ really needs to be seen on the big screen to be appreciated, but it's interesting to consider how this fictionally predated real-life TV shows like "American Gladiators".
Rated 18 May 2011
misterlizardmisterlizard
Rated 16 Mar 2011
60
61st
An odd mix of a dystopian future sci-fi movie, macho sports and a director who seems to be trying hard to be Stanley Kubrick. It doesn't quite work. The corporate-controlled world of the future is never fully realised. At times the action scenes glorify the sport too much and there's a lot slow filler in-between. And when it all ends, the story never really reaches a satisfying conclusion.
Rated 16 Mar 2011
ronthedogronthedog
Rated 29 May 2009
87
89th
Excellent sci-fi. Simple political ideas, hyperbolic savagery, sensitive lead performances, bizarre cameos: everything you want.
Rated 29 May 2009
glumpy99glumpy_99
Rated 08 Oct 2022
58
16th
With an intriguing premise, and that harsh, grainy and grimy 70s dystopic aesthetic, this looks like a winner, but is undone by Jewison’s direction, favouring lingering tracking shots when the film requires a jolt of energy, further compounded by Caan’s too-cool, impassive performance – an actor with a little more fire in the eyes (Redford?) would have made this more compelling. Still eminently watchable (and Houseman’s to-the-manor-born personification of corporate venality is pitch-perfect).
Rated 08 Oct 2022
kito1kito1
Rated 16 Mar 2017
80
89th
I'm surprised how great this film is. When the purpose of rollerball was revealed, it struck me like a work of genius. This struggle goes so much deeper than just the fight for survival... The ending drives it home perfectly.
Rated 16 Mar 2017
menialretconMenialRetcon
Rated 23 Apr 2018
72
47th
First half is slow, even the opening rollerball scene isn't that interesting, but it really picks up after that (starting about with the party scene that ends in drunken laser blasting of defenseless trees). More humor or over the top scenes maybe would have improved it, or just made it too much like Death Race? I missed a lot of the James Caan mumbled lines.
Rated 23 Apr 2018
twincinematwincinema
Rated 30 Apr 2022
40
18th
My dad bought this for me as a teen, and I watched it then. In the past 20 years, I have come to believe this film is fun camp. However, about halfway through this, I was reminded of my teenage self thinking this was boring. Damn, you were right about *some* things, teenage me. James Caan is serving looks in this film.
Rated 30 Apr 2022
reyvn2k1Reyvn2k1
Rated 24 Sep 2007
95
84th
Great film. When sports fans watch this film and then observe how athletes and some fans act today, its kind of scary to see how close the film nailed it.
Rated 24 Sep 2007
sirstuckeySirStuckey
Rated 19 Jan 2017
60
36th
It hits it's commentary with the subtlety of a sledgehammer, but since I like the message it's trying to convey I am a bit forgiving. The sport of rollerball itself is mostly nonsensical and too absurd to be believed to exist in anything close to our lifetimes. Caan and John Beck are good but everyone else is pretty forgettable. It's certainly better than the remake in every way but I still don't know who I could recommend this to.
Rated 19 Jan 2017
buddhaloubuddhalou
Rated 12 Nov 2018
70
49th
Hard to be objective about this one, as it's wrapped up in some nostalgic movies my father and I shared back in the day. Regardless, I still think it's an underappreciated film when placed in context of era and genre. I've watched it numerous times over the years; it doesn't demand too much from the viewer, but delivers on entertainment every time.
Rated 12 Nov 2018
djfntstquedjfntstque
Rated 14 Aug 2007
36
8th
Dangerously lunkheaded. Dig Jewison's attempts to "emulate" "A Clockwork Orange" (longer takes, classical music, zooms).
Rated 14 Aug 2007
saucyjacksaucyjack
Rated 19 Dec 2007
51
32nd
A really boring film that ineffectively satirizes the savagery of our civilization. ...At least it's better than the remake
Rated 19 Dec 2007
gnalkhereGnalkhere
Rated 27 Aug 2018
55
17th
Great beginning and ending, meh middle The brutality of Slapshot mixed with the grandeur and ethos of The Godfather, and it's just...oil and water. The final frames look like they come straight out of a Youtube Poop
Rated 27 Aug 2018
ribcageribcage
Rated 20 Oct 2015
68
52nd
The game and the future society its placed within are both great enough to keep watching. Caan is good as always. The story itself never becomes as alive and thrilling as its environment though. The ending felt abrupt and slightly flat. I wouldn't have been against a sequel set in this world having been made at the time.
Rated 20 Oct 2015
terrymacterrymac
Rated 03 Jun 2011
51
21st
A very middling film, this has some good ideas, and Caan is fine. However, there are problems with pacing and I don't think it has aged particularly well.
Rated 03 Jun 2011
spleenspleen
Rated 05 Sep 2011
62
29th
See also "BoringBall" or "Skate or Die, Future Disco Death Ball".
Rated 05 Sep 2011
dustydDustyd
Rated 17 Sep 2007
65
49th
dated but cool
Rated 17 Sep 2007
wwallce4prezWWallce4prez
Rated 05 Apr 2018
55
18th
Less about Rollerball and lore about a futuristic society that resembles ours. Great set design. James Caan is, uncharacteristically, bland.
Rated 05 Apr 2018
shsternshstern
Rated 16 Jun 2010
45
22nd
very very slow paced
Rated 16 Jun 2010
walkearthwalkearth
Rated 27 Aug 2018
50
37th
I can almost understand why Rollerball is deemed a cult classic. But alas, it is prime example of a film that is a product of its time. The dystopian society is not convincing, probably because we've seen other variations better executed elsewhere, but the biggest criticism I have would be that the film drags. On. And on. And on. I can't decide which is more tedious - the overly long action scenes or the endless conversation and camera pans. Caan is cool and suave though /c Prince Charles Cinema
Rated 27 Aug 2018
thedenizenTheDenizen
Rated 14 Aug 2007
80
84th
Loved this vision of the future. Why aren't people playing this sport yet?
Rated 14 Aug 2007
overratedoverrated
Rated 28 Feb 2017
45
40th
Done better in Death Race 2000, Running Man etc. Caan only seems to snap awake in the last five minutes.
Rated 28 Feb 2017
capodelnullacapodelnulla
Rated 23 Sep 2020
70
57th
tempo problemi aşikar fakat şirketokrasiyi ve kişinin yerini sinema diline aktarma adına müthiş bir başarısı var - gerek kurduğu metaforlar gerek bireye bakışı gerekse yarattığı atmosfer/dünya açısından metni bayağı iyi işliyor. b-film kıvamında sadece eğlenceli bir şey bulmak için gelmiştim, ama çok daha fazlası var filmde.
Rated 23 Sep 2020
peaceanarchyPeaceAnarchy
Rated 26 Sep 2013
77
51st
Brutal and intriguing, but the Sci-fi aspect is mostly wasted.
Rated 26 Sep 2013
recklessmessrecklessmess
Rated 03 May 2014
56
34th
Meh.
Rated 03 May 2014
sabrinaSabrina
Rated 04 Apr 2010
0
0th
Worst thing ever committed to film...avoid at al costs.
Rated 04 Apr 2010
seethruskinSeethruskin
Rated 06 Aug 2021
3
24th
For a game that's supposed to be so crazy and life threatening this is a bit of a slog. Especially at a 2 hour runtime.
Rated 06 Aug 2021
braddad68braddad68
Rated 23 May 2012
90
52nd
Great look and feel.
Rated 23 May 2012
redactedredacted
Rated 14 Jan 2013
42
17th
Bruce Springsteen stars in a lethal 70's cocktail of a film. Rollerball reeks of Space Odyssey influence, slow zooms, extended cuts and raw violence all garnished with the 20th century sense of individualism. The choice the have no score in the final sequence should be lauded.
Rated 14 Jan 2013
cianetoCianeto
Rated 21 Mar 2007
90
69th
A (dark) pearl from a time when sci-fi really tried to mean something through social-political commentary.
Rated 21 Mar 2007
darrenDarren
Rated 08 Aug 2021
52
23rd
Some great scenes that are basically a lesser Slapshot. Some just cool aesthetics but like good lord was this boring
Rated 08 Aug 2021
jhmclellanjhmclellan
Rated 19 Aug 2007
65
26th
Stupid, but okay if you are 15 years old.
Rated 19 Aug 2007
stainStain
Rated 18 May 2008
40
23rd
A surprisingly dull movie, considering cast, subject matter, and eerily prescient vision of corporate domination of nearly all aspects of life
Rated 18 May 2008
seryxaSeryxa
Rated 10 Apr 2009
25
43rd
A one-point parable, and an obvious point at that, is stretched out over more than two hours of violence in which the rules of the game are not even explained. A distinctly unlikeable film.
Rated 10 Apr 2009
aushabfanaus_hab_fan
Rated 30 Dec 2006
76
59th
I wish I'd seen this version before the crap remake. A lot more could have been done, but it does well nonetheless.
Rated 30 Dec 2006
philamentalphilamental
Rated 23 Jan 2023
60
36th
It's fine but quite slow and the dystopian future stuff has been done better by others.
Rated 23 Jan 2023
chiefgchiefg
Rated 25 Jan 2010
70
57th
Far better than the remake. But then again, what isn't?
Rated 25 Jan 2010
wayofthegunwayofthegun
Rated 22 Apr 2012
65
29th
Good sci-fi concept and elements, though drags too much.
Rated 22 Apr 2012
gabrielpGabriel_p
Rated 12 Jul 2022
70
44th
Would you give up some of your freedom for total comfort? Well why the hell wouldn't you!
Rated 12 Jul 2022
tathieltathiel
Rated 24 Oct 2009
60
16th
Way better than its remake, however doesn't get its point across, you don't know where it's heading and it's extremely slow, the pacing is quite difficult.
Rated 24 Oct 2009
freqflyerfreqflyer
Rated 05 Aug 2009
84
75th
Decent little movie. Watch this one, not the 2002 remake.
Rated 05 Aug 2009
nathanbatesNathanBates
Rated 19 Jan 2020
60
35th
Take the concept of 1984 (man against the "machine") and throw in a high-paced sports environment. The movie might have been great if it had really focused on one or the other, but the philosophical parts are pretty ponderous, and the sports moments are questionable (what sort of league would allow a final to have "no penalties" with a day's notice?). Generally entertaining -- perhaps not for the right reasons.
Rated 19 Jan 2020
irvinejumpirvinejump
Rated 29 Sep 2008
75
72nd
Loved it at the time, though it does kinda glorify the violence it's trying to denounce
Rated 29 Sep 2008
plusdrolePlus_Drole
Rated 26 Feb 2017
87
70th
I wish the future looked the way the 1970's thought it would. Strangely watchable movie for it's age, it doesn't say as much as one flew over the cuckoos nest, or Clockwork Orange, but it's in that vien.
Rated 26 Feb 2017
driscarpindriscarpin
Rated 26 Jun 2020
80
64th
Rollerball estreava há 45 anos nos EUA. É uma distopia muito palpável sobre corporações dominando o mundo, todos nós nos travestimos de democracia, mas sabemos que quem manda no rolê são elas, vide aquele exemplo tosco de ontem da água e da coca-cola, a "democracia" está a serviço delas. O maior choque e efeito brilhante do filme e mostrar em certo momento decisivo imagens de pontos importantes de várias cidades do mundo, do Brasil ficou o Palácio do Planalto e as torres do Congres
Rated 26 Jun 2020
chemical404chemical404
Rated 23 Jun 2015
50
38th
Dystopia about corporate world where people fist-fight while roller-skating for amusement of the crowds. Once you accept this notion the film becomes dry and unimaginative. Dystopia by the numbers.
Rated 23 Jun 2015
jswinderjswinder
Rated 25 Jan 2009
80
64th
As an avid sports fan, the concept of a "death sport," under the veil of a tyrannical world, fascinated; a homage to the immortal gladiators of Rome's bloody past. Jonathan E. is the championed grunt; a manifestation of ultimate pain. A man of passion forced into resignation. Most don't care for the offbeat rhythm, but it's bizarre style was at least unique, if not original. I rarely ask for more. Say what you want about "Rollerball," but altogether, it's a film that stands alone
Rated 25 Jan 2009
thedicemanTheDiceman
Rated 10 Feb 2007
60
62nd
Great film.
Rated 10 Feb 2007
myfavchordsmyfavchords
Rated 21 May 2023
68
24th
This film has an interesting premise and the game "Rollerball" is interesting. However the screenplay could have used more work. James Caan is good in the lead role but most of the supporting cast don't get enough to do. Overall this film is disappointing.
Rated 21 May 2023
jetboyjetboy
Rated 02 Sep 2022
35
4th
Cliched 70s dystopian scifi
Rated 02 Sep 2022
pompousasspompousass
Rated 07 Aug 2009
0
12th
The vision of the future in Harrison's screenplay is afflicted with severe myopia and checkered with blind spots. (Its origin is Harrison's very short story in Esquire, and he'd be damned if he'd spend much more thought on it.) The short-sightedness may account for Jewison's directing the thing with a preponderance of slow zooms moving into extreme closeups.
Rated 07 Aug 2009
haileyHailey
Rated 10 Jul 2009
80
55th
An interesting look at life in the future and how corporations and sports, can have on our lives!
Rated 10 Jul 2009
spoonerspotspoonerspot
Rated 14 Aug 2007
81
71st
If Rebecca Romjin were in this version it likely would have been the best movie ever.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
xacviantxacviant
Rated 06 Aug 2011
78
46th
An interesting story (set in the now not-so-distant future of 2018) about brutal sports and evil corporations, focusing on the determination of Jonathan E. (James Caan) to play Rollerball in the face of corporate opposition. The script is oddly structured, with some strange digressions and a fair amount of padding; Norman Jewison's measured direction adds to the strange feel of the film, and one may be forgiven for not knowing quite how to take it. The Rollerball scenes are properly visceral.
Rated 06 Aug 2011
isobelmoonIsobelmoon
Rated 28 Dec 2008
61
54th
Violence and sports...
Rated 28 Dec 2008
barnowlBarnowl
Rated 19 Jul 2020
96
77th
Classic film
Rated 19 Jul 2020
corvo-b.Corvo
Rated 10 Jun 2014
75
86th
Jonathan! Jonathan! Jonathan!
Rated 10 Jun 2014
stevemoserstevemoser
Rated 01 Apr 2009
6
1st
Terrible film. Might be the worst movie I've ever seen with the worst ending.
Rated 01 Apr 2009

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