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Release Date: 2003-03-04
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| WAITING FOR JJ 'S BOOK NOOK CREDIT/REPLYI did not accept the tape, "Bang The Drum Slowly" and instructed to "Return to Sender." I notified Amazon of this and requested a credit to my Master Card. I have not seen this credit and have not heard from JJ's Book Nook.
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Cathy DuVall
1-818-718-1955
"...and lay the sod o'er me..."BANG THE DRUM SLOWLY is a baseball movie (adapted from a 1950s live TV drama) that's actually about friendship, life and its end. Based on Mark Harris's novel, it was partly filmed at Yankee and Shea stadiums. Vincent Gardenia (as manager Dutch Schnell) received a Best Supporting Oscar nod. Danny Aiello's minor role (as 'Horse') marked his first big screen credit.
The story concerns roommates Henry 'Author' Wiggen (a pitcher) and Bruce Pearson (his catcher). They're intellectual opposites-- Henry's sharp-mind is in total contrast to dimwit Bruce, who often gets ribbed by other New York players.
Bruce discovers during the off-season that he's terminally ill. Another obstacle is catcher Piney Woods (Ligon), a young yahoo up from the minors who's after the always-marginal Bruce's job. Dutch's plans to trade Bruce are disrupted by Henry-- the star pitcher (the only man who knows about Bruce's illness) demands to be traded to wherever the catcher is going, so instead Piney gets sent back down to the minors.
Henry has a typically great season and surprisingly so does Bruce-- the best of his career, in fact. Eventually, the entire team learns of his battle with Hodgkin's disease and everyone pulls together. As their standings in the league rise however, Bruce clearly is in decline.
Robert DeNiro gives a wonderfully nuanced performance as a simple yet heroic man facing life's ultimate challenge. Michael Moriarty is equally excellent in his top-billed role as DeNiro's best friend.
A kinescope-dub of the original 1956 US STEEL HOUR broadcast of "Bang the Drum Slowly" (starrng Paul Newman) is also available.
Parenthetical number preceding title is a 1 to 10 viewer poll rating found at a film resource website.
(7.0) Bang the Drum Slowly (1973) - Michael Moriarty/Robert DeNiro/Vincent Gardenia/Phil Foster/Ann Wedgeworth/Selma Diamond/Tom Ligon/Danny Aiello
Half hearted attempt at melodrama...A lot of people love this movie, so I'm preparing myself for a verbal beating, but really; I've yet to find a film as manipulative and generally unfulfilling as `Bang the Drum Slowly'. I say `yet to find' and I know that's rather harsh. There are far worse films, but for the genre, this is certainly at the bottom.
It's like `Brian's Song' without the spark.
Bruce Pearson and Henry Wiggen are teammates. When Bruce gets diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease they form a close bond as Henry looks out for Bruce, covering up his illness and sticking up for him, making sure he stays on the team and can play out his `last season'. There is growing suspicion as Bruce has to make plenty of doctor's appointments, and their coach Dutch Schnell roots around trying to find answers to his many questions, which makes it harder and harder for Bruce to keep his condition a secret.
Sooner or later, it all has to come out.
I know that many will not agree with me, but I felt that `Bang the Drum Slowly' lacked a lot of heart and soul. It just seemed very textbook and came off like an overly manipulative `Lifetime' movie. It had all the elements to create a satisfying tear jerker, but it couldn't quite construct them properly. The film wasn't as touching as it could have been because it lacked a natural spark, a life that made it feel a part of the audience. I think that De Niro is to blame for some (not all) of that. I actually found this to be a very weak performance given by one of the best actors to have ever worked in the business. I was shocked to see him sift through each scene rather lazily. Some will balk at that accusation, but hear me out. He gave a very clichéd and expected portrayal of a sick under educated man. Technically it was proficient, but it lacked any real emotion. He seemed almost bored half the time. There is a way to project the feeling of being weight down by your own anxiety without stripping the character of his appeal, and apparently De Niro didn't know how to do that yet.
But like I said, he's only partially to blame. The script was very heavy handed and the films director didn't quite know how to use that to his advantage. It had no real flow.
I will say that both Michael Moriarty and the Oscar nominated Vincent Gardenia do fine jobs with the material and actually turn in very good performances. I actually agree with Gardenia's nomination; for he brought a comedic flare and sincere concern to Dutch. Sadly, his performance is not enough to get me to recommend this movie. So, disagree all you like, but I'm not going to lie to you; this didn't work for me.
Bang the Drum SlowlyVery strong movie, with some nice emotional moments. Perhaps a tad overdone and the baseball scenes could have been a bit more realistic. But its characters made you care, and it had some really funny parts as well. Overall, I would recommend as a good watch, but don't expect the best sports movie you'll ever see or you will be disappointed.
lost gembang the drum slowly is one of the few movies that lives up to the book. deniro/moriarty. wow! this is a slice of the majors before a backup catcher was a millionaire. and a 20 game winner sells insurance on the side. the concept of "TEGWOR," (the eternal game without rules) is machiavellian by way of jocks playing cards and playing the fans. it's true to a wince. this movie is the equal of bull durham and almost matches field of dreams. a true comedy in the classic sense.
bob auler,
author of KEEP AND BEAR ARMS
Product DescriptionThe story of the friendship between a star pitcher, wise to the world, and a half-wit catcher, as they cope with the catcher's terminal illness through a baseball season.
Amazon.comOnly those with ice water in their veins won't get misty-eyed watching this moving film about the friendship of two professional baseball players, one of whom--in every sense--is playing his last season. A pre-stardom Robert De Niro portrays a rather simple-minded rookie catcher who comes under the wing of a veteran pitcher (Michael Moriarty). When De Niro's character is diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease, Moriarty tries to help him get through one more season. Directed by John Hancock and based on the novel by Mark Harris (who also wrote the screenplay), the film builds on baseball's ability to foster its own lore of courage, nobility, loyalty, and--sadly--tragedy. Watching the youthful De Niro and Moriarty, with all that promise in their bones, adds to the overall romance of the film today. Also appearing are Vincent Gardenia and Danny Aiello. A perennial favorite for many. --Tom Keogh
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