Rollerball is a science fiction film of 1975 directed by Norman Jewison and played by James Caan. The film is set in one dystopian futuristic society where the world is governed by a corporate board of directors and where Rollerball, a violent roller-skating sport, has become the world’s most popular sporting event.
The plot follows Jonathan E., the champion Rollerball played by Caan, who begins to question the ruling social order after his superiors try to force him into retirement. The film explores themes such as corporate power, individual freedom and rebellion against authority.
Rollerball has received positive reviews for its innovative cinematography, futuristic production design, and unique storytelling. The film also received praise for Caan’s performance, which brought a sense of vulnerability and humanity to his character.
Rollerball became a cult movie and influenced the dystopian and science fiction genre in the following years. It also inspired a 2002 remake directed by John McTiernan, but the film was not well received by critics.
Plot
In a dystopian futuristic society governed by a corporate board of directors, Rollerball has become the most popular sport in the world. Rollerball champion Jonathan E. (played by James Caan) is a man famous and admired, but his superiors try to force his retirement due to his growing popularity and influence with fans.
Jonathan begins to question the dominant social order and tries to understand why Rollerball was created and controlled by corporations. He meets his ex-wife, who explains that the board of directors created Rollerball to replace nations and governments, and thus establish a new world order in which corporations hold absolute power.
Jonathan decides to defy authority and continue playing rollerball, despite his team being decimated by the authorities. In the final match against the Japanese team, Jonathan is seriously injured, but continues to play, managing to win the match and prove his determination against the system.
After the game, the board members decide to take Rollerball out of sight and make Jonathan out of sight. However, Rollerball fans unite in a demonstration against the board of directors, proving that the power of corporations can be defeated by the strength of the community.
Movie Characters
Here are the main characters of the film Rollerball (1975):
Jonathan E. (played by James Caan): Rollerball champion, a sports star and a well-respected man in the futuristic society in which he lives. Jonathan begins to question the dominant social order and tries to understand why Rollerball was created and controlled by corporations.
William Bartholomew (played by John Houseman): One of the most important members of the board of directors that governs the world of Rollerball and corporations. Bartholomew believes that Rollerball was created to replace national governments and establish a new world order based on corporate power.
Ella (played by Maud Adams): Jonathan’s ex-wife and a member of the social elite of the futuristic society. Ella is a mysterious and ambiguous character who helps Jonathan understand the true nature of the system in which he lives.
Cletus (portrayed by Moses Gunn): Jonathan’s friend and co-worker on the Rollerball team. Cletus is a wise and reasonable character, who tries to help Jonathan find a way out of the oppressive system he lives in.
Moonpie (played by John Beck): Another member of the Rollerball team, who becomes Jonathan’s friend and confidant. Moonpie is a cheerful and fun character who brings some light into Jonathan’s life.
Daphne (played by Pamela Hensley): a glamorous and seductive woman who is part of the social elite of the futuristic society. Daphne tries to seduce Jonathan and get him to retire from Rollerball.
These are just some of the characters featured in the film Rollerball, which offers a wide spectrum of figures representing the different aspects of a dystopian and dehumanized society.
Production
The film Rollerball was produced by United Artists and was directed by Norman Jewison. The screenplay was written by William Harrison, based on his original story. The film score was composed by Andre Previn.
The film was primarily shot in Munich, Germany with some scenes also shot in Zurich, Switzerland. The movie set was built with great attention to detail to create the dystopian atmosphere of the Rollerball world.
The cast of the film included some very talented actors, such as James Caan as the lead Jonathan E., John Houseman as William Bartholomew, Moses Gunn as Cletus, and Maud Adams as Ella.
The film received positive reception from critics, who appreciated its dystopian vision and its analysis of power dynamics in modern society. The film was also commercially successful, becoming a 1970s cult film and inspiring a number of remakes and adaptations over the years.
Distribution and Reception
The film Rollerball was released in theaters in 1975 by United Artists. The film received good reception from critics and audiences, becoming a commercial success. In its opening weekend, the film grossed approximately $3.8 million in the United States.
Critics praised the film for its dystopian vision and its analysis of power dynamics in modern society. In particular, Norman Jewison’s direction, William Harrison’s screenplay and the performances of the principal actors, including James Caan, John Houseman and Maud Adams were praised.
The film was nominated for the BAFTA Award for Best Production Design in 1976 and won the Saturn Award for Best Production Design and Best Supporting Actor (for John Houseman).
In the following years, the film has become a cult movie and has influenced a number of films and television series that have explored dystopian and futuristic themes. In 2002, a remake of the film was made, directed by John McTiernan and starring Chris Klein in the title role. However, the remake didn’t receive as much success as the original film.
Style
The film Rollerball has a very particular visual style, which reflects the dystopian and dehumanizing atmosphere of the world in which it is set. Director Norman Jewison used dark, often cold-toned cinematography to portray the lack of human warmth in the futuristic society in which protagonist Jonathan E.
Also, the film features some very intense action scenes, showing Rollerball competitions, a violent sport invented to keep the masses in check and distract them from their daily worries. Rollerball’s scenes were shot with great care, using slow-motion shots and dynamic editing techniques to create a highly immersive visual effect.
The soundtrack of the film, composed by Andre Previn, mainly uses classical and contemporary music, to create a contrast between the sophistication of the music and the violence of the images. In particular, the final sequence of the film is accompanied by the music of Mozart’s Requiem, creating a very suggestive and dramatic effect.
Overall, Rollerball’s style is very original and innovative, using a combination of visual, sound and narrative elements to create a dystopian and eerie atmosphere, which has influenced numerous films and television series over the years.
Director
The director of the film Rollerball is Norman Jewison, born July 21, 1926 in Toronto, Canada. Jewison began his career as an actor, but later turned to directing, becoming one of the most important directors of American cinema of the 60s and 70s.
Among his best known films are ‘In the Heat of the Night’ (1967), ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ (1973) and ‘Moonstruck’ (1987), which earned him an Academy Award for Best Director. In total, Jewison has directed 25 films, receiving numerous nominations and awards for his work.
Jewison is known for his ability to direct actors and for his ability to create realistic and immersive atmospheres and settings. In the case of Rollerball, Jewison has created a dystopian and dehumanizing world, using dark and often cold-toned photography, to represent the lack of human warmth in the futuristic society in which protagonist Jonathan E.
Overall, Jewison’s work has profoundly influenced American cinema, contributing to the creation of some of the most important films and innovations of the last decades.
