Brian's Song

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This highly-acclaimed winner of five Emmy Awards is one of the best-loved movies ever made for television. It's the true story of a special relationship between two professional football players, Gale Sayers (Billy Dee Williams) and Brian Piccolo (James Caan). Both star players for the Chicago Bears, Sayers and Piccolo soon became roommates and best friends. When Sayers suffers a knee injury in mid-season, it is Piccolo who prods and inspires him to work toward a complete recovery. Then fate deals a cruel blow: Piccolo is stricken with malignant cancer. The constant support and friendship of Sayers plays an important role in Piccolo's heroic fight against the disease. Also starring Shelley Fabares (TV's Coach) as Piccolo's loving wife, BRIAN'S SONG is a moving and unforgettable film.

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Movie Info

One of the best known and most enthusiastically reviewed made for television films of the 1970's, this drama was based on the true story of football greats Gale Sayers and Brian Piccolo. Sayers (Billy Dee Williams) and Piccolo (James Caan) both joined the Chicago Bears the same year, and while it was obvious from the start Sayers had the talent and drive to be a great player, Piccolo seemed destined to be an also-ran on the team. However, Sayers and Piccolo struck up a friendship which broughtout the best in both players, and coach George Halas (Jack Warden) chose them for a special assignment -- they became the first interracial roommates in the history of the NFL. When Sayers suffered a knee injury that threatened to end his career, Piccolo took it upon himself to help his friend through rehabilitation so he could rejoin the team. But when Piccolo began having heath problems, it was a problem too great for Sayers to handle -- his close friend had developed cancer. Adapted from Sayers' autobiography I Am Third, Brian's Song also features Chicago Bears legend Dick Butkus as himself.

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What's the story?

This is the true -- and heartbreaking -- story of Brian Piccolo and Gale Sayers, players for the Chicago Bears and the first interracial roommates in pro sports. Piccolo (James Caan) isn't as talented as Sayers (Billy Dee Williams) but his dedication is immense and he excels when competing against Sayers. When When Sayers is injured, Piccolo devotes himself to his friend's recovery. Sayers comes back, Piccolo is added to the starting lineup, and all seems fine until Piccolo becomes ill. It turns out that he has terminal cancer. The shy and reserved Sayers must learn to handle a devastating loss by keeping the best of Piccolo inside him.

  

Is it any good?

 

This is a touching and inspiring made-for-TV film with an outstanding musical score by Michael Legrand. The friendship and devotion between the two friends (and their wives) is very moving, as is the treatment of racial issues.

  

Explore, discuss, enjoy

Families can talk about friendship and competition. Do you have friends you compete with? Is it hard on your friendship sometimes? What are more recent movies that deal with racial issues? How do they compare with this movie from the '70s?

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