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In 1947, Jackie Robinson becomes the first Black man to play in Major League Baseball facing unabashed racism from the public, the press and other players.
2013 · Directed by Brian Helgeland · 128 min · Drama · Screenplay in the scene database · 7 frames
Tagline
In a game divided by color, he made us see greatness.
Plot
A montage depicts the end of the Second World War and the importance of baseball in the United States, a sport where African Americans play in segregated Negro leagues. The 1946 Major League Baseball season, meanwhile, featured 400 white players in 16 teams.
In 1945, Brooklyn Dodgers owner Branch Rickey seeks to recruit a black baseball player for his team. Reviewing potential candidates, Rickey suggests Jackie Robinson of the Negro leagues' Kansas City Monarchs. During a racially motivated confrontation at a gas station, Robinson is approached by Dodgers scout Clyde Sukeforth. Rickey tells Robinson the challenges of breaking the color line and emphasizes restraint in responding to provocations. Robinson agrees to join the Dodgers under these terms and proposes to his girlfriend, Rachel Robinson, who accepts.
In Daytona Beach, Florida, Robinson trains with the AAA affiliate farm team for the Brooklyn Dodgers: the Montreal Royals, managed by Clay Hopper. After performing well his first season, Robinson advances to the Dodgers and is trained as a first baseman in Panama City. Some Dodgers draft a petition refusing to play with Robinson, but are rebuffed by manager Leo Durocher, whom Rickey confides in. Robinson opens up to Wendell Smith, his black chronicler, saying he doesn't like needing people. Baseball Commissioner Happy Chandler suspends Durocher over his extramarital affair, and Robinson signs with the team and plays on the 1947 season's opening day; Rickey convinces former player Burt Shotton to take over as manager. Sometime later, Robinson and Rachel have a baby boy, whom Robinson vows to be there for.
Plot summary from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA.
Crew
- Screenplay: Brian Helgeland
- Cinematography: Don Burgess
- Edited by: Peter McNulty, Kevin Stitt
- Music: Mark Isham
- Production design: Richard Hoover
- Produced by: Thomas Tull
Cast
- Chadwick Boseman as Jackie Robinson
- Harrison Ford as Branch Rickey
- Nicole Beharie as Rachel Robinson
- Christopher Meloni as Leo Durocher
- Ryan Merriman as Dixie Walker
- Lucas Black as Pee Wee Reese
- André Holland as Wendell Smith
- Alan Tudyk as Ben Chapman
- Hamish Linklater as Ralph Branca
- T. R. Knight as Harold Parrott
Production
- Country: United States of America
- Language: English
- Studios: Legendary Pictures
- Budget: $40,000,000
- Box office: $95,020,213
- Themes: sports, baseball, biography, racial segregation, based on true story, racial tension, racial prejudice, brooklyn dodgers, 1940s
More by Brian Helgeland
On this film
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