61*

[runningshoes]

I just saw it for the first time last night.

Besides the fact that Billy Crystal couldn't direct a snake towards a rat, what did everyone think of it?

[ichiro262]

I thought it was a great movie, but I do agree that the directing was questionable. I thought Barry Pepper played a fairly accurate Maris (from everything I've ever read about him).

[64Cards]

I just saw it for the first time last night.

Besides the fact that Billy Crystal couldn't direct a snake towards a rat, what did everyone think of it?
That's a hilarious line, rs53, but I thought it was rather well-directed, certainly one of the best bb movies ever, although I realize that's a pretty short list. I thought the guys playing M&M were terrific as were some of the supporting cast, the guys who played Houk [was in Animal House & My Cousin Vinny, 2 of my favorite comedies] Ford, Yogi, Allen and Rizzuto. Excellent authenticity, especially with the uniforms. Seen it many a time on HBO.

[ElCaminoSS]

I really liked it. The actors they found really did look like they players they were supposed to be, especially Maris.

[runningshoes]

I enjoyed the story and the era duplication. It wasn't the worst Baseball movie by any means. I thought Pepper and Jane did a good job, given the script, but I wasn't overly impressed with the direction.

[tmorss9]

Excellent authenticity, especially with the uniforms. Seen it many a time on HBO.

The uniforms were great, except the Tigers and Yankees hats had the Jersey logos on them, when both teams actually use 2 different logos for hats and jerseys. I'm sure the film was quite accurate, as the remaining players from that team served as technical directors. Even as a Red Sox fan, this is a really good movie.

[Bluesteve32]

One error was Bob Cerv being on the Yankees the whole season when in fact, Cerv started the season on the Los Angeles Angels.

[DTF955]

I got the DVD for Christmas. I liked the movie, but the making of the movie was the most sensational part of it.

I think they chose Crystal because he was a baseball fan - I mean, the man seemed to know everything about every little nuance of the game, from that DVD extra. it talked about how he knew every lineup (obviously a little inaccurate, if he forgot about Cerv, but that's Hollywood :-), how Crystal and others had helped to increase the authenticity of it, and even showed how they turned Tiger Stadiuma into Old Yankee Stadium. That was really cool

[Myankee4life]

I haven't seen the movie......is it still on HBO?

[bhss89]

I haven't seen the movie......is it still on HBO?

Nope, you'll have to go rent this one.

Can't understand why everyone has such a problem with Crystal's direction; I thought it was just fine, and he obviously put his heart and soul into the piece. Both actors were dead ringers for M & M, and overall I thought it was a very good movie.

[Bluesteve32]

I actually have the DVD for about $6 at Circuit City. My kids like the movie, as well. Back when it was on HBO, I saw Billy Crystal's "Making of 61*" which was quite interesting and really showed it to be a labor of love.

[efin98]

I just saw the movie. Not bad, but I think it draws out too much. It could have been much shorter with no great loss of quality.

They did a great job with Tiger Stadium, painting it the old colors worked out really well for the digital effects team.

The other ballparks didn't quite look right. Fenway Park and Memorial Stadium didn't look right. I think Tiger Stadium was not quite right, almost like it wasn't even the same stadium.

And is it me or did it look like they screwed up on the shots of dead centerfield? It look way too round, almost symetrical yet not curved to left.

[Captain Cold Nose]

Was that the guy who played Bob Rooney on Married with Children as "Babe Ruth"?
I liked 61*. I think it accomplished what it was trying to do, letting us see what Maris was really going through and putting down the whole rivalry notion.

[efin98]

Was that the guy who played Bob Rooney on Married with Children as "Babe Ruth"?

That was the same actor.

Interesting notes from the "making of" featurette: Billy Crystal and his production partner(his name escapes me) had cameos in the movie. Billy was digitally added to the third deck, his partner was the fan who ran onto the field to shake Maris's hand after hitting #61.

They also got Maris's grandson in the movie as well, saying "wow" at the very begining(after the McGuire bit):D

[tmorss9]

Good catch on Tiger Stadium, efin. In 1961, the stadium seating and facades were predominantly green, In the movie, they were shown in it's current blue. I think the shot the Tiger Stadium scenes after they had torn down and repainted all the Yankee Stadium stuff. The other stadiums don't look like themselves because they were filmed at the LA coliseum.

[efin98]

Good catch on Tiger Stadium, efin. In 1961, the stadium seating and facades were predominantly green, In the movie, they were shown in it's current blue. I think the shot the Tiger Stadium scenes after they had torn down and repainted all the Yankee Stadium stuff. The other stadiums don't look like themselves because they were filmed at the LA coliseum.

Actually I was thinking about all of the green that was showing alongside the blue at Tiger Stadium, it didn't seem right having both colors showing through.
One shot you had the blue upper deck, then you had the green painted walls, then back to blue, all meant to blend together...just didn't seem right.

Regarding the other stadiums, the Coliseum did a good job of doubling but the digital editing didn't blend well with the sets. They could have done better with those "stadiums" but they looked like they were more concerned with "Yankee Stadium" than anything else.

[moldyoldie]

I just saw 61* for the first time recently and enjoyed it very much. I can't say it was one of my favorite baseball films ever but it told an interesting true story quite well. Barry Pepper as Maris was the spittin' image!

The press and Mickey Mantle didn't come out looking so good! I know there are some adult viewers of the film who were genuinely upset with the depiction of Mantle; it exploded the "positive myth" passed on to their kids as they were watching it together. Oh well.

[efin98]

The press and Mickey Mantle didn't come out looking so good! I know there are some adult viewers of the film who were genuinely upset with the depiction of Mantle; it exploded the "positive myth" passed on to their kids as they were watching it together. Oh well.

That was intentional and with the blessing of his family. They wanted it to be out in the open, it wouldn't be Mickey if it wasn't added.

[East Coast Bat Co]

One of my all-time favorites.

[Captain Cold Nose]

61* is currently an HBO On-Demand selection, so anyone with On-Demand will be able to see it.

[Brownie31]

One of my all-time favorites.

East Coast Bat Co: I just saw 61* last night and I agree completely with you. Barry Pepper was Roger Maris! Brownie31

[brewcrew82]

I thoroughly enjoyed the movie despite the fact that it as been quite a while since I saw this movie (I think I lent it out and haven't got it back yet--not to fret, I got game 7 of the 2001 WS back after 5+ years of lending it to someone :)).

I thought putting the movie between segments of McGwire breaking the record in '98 was a good touch and the casting was extremely well done.

[digglahhh]

I bet if Crystal made it today, he would have re-thought even including the Big Mac pseudo-epilogue.

I'm not a hardcore tar and feather the steroid users guy but just thinking about what Maris had to endure, and how it was destroyed is kind of unsettling. A heroic performance has been replaced by a dubious one in the minds of the public. In a sense, that's the greatest tragedy of this whole explosion.

[64Cards]

I bet if Crystal made it today, he would have re-thought even including the Big Mac pseudo-epilogue.

I'm not a hardcore tar and feather the steroid users guy but just thinking about what Maris had to endure, and how it was destroyed is kind of unsettling. A heroic performance has been replaced by a dubious one in the minds of the public. In a sense, that's the greatest tragedy of this whole explosion.
Agreed. Good post.

There should be an asterick posted in the record books for the guys who hit 60 plus HR's on steroids, McGwire, Sosa and Bonds.

[csh19792001]

A heroic performance has been replaced by a dubious one in the minds of the public. In a sense, that's the greatest tragedy of this whole explosion.

It's actually now several very much dubious performances (with McGwire and Mr. Bonds leading the way), but yes, I agree that may be the greatest tragedy of this whole sordid affair.

[cavalier1968]

Best movie Iv ever seen....

Cav