Rollerball

Friday, August 24 - Saturday, August 25, 2012

Chosen by Jon S. (manager)

35mm print “Rollerball was a sport specially invented for the film, a vicious anything goes form of roller derby blended with US-style football. Players are armed with spiked gloves as they attempt to throw a steel ball into the opposition’s goal. Motor cycles tear in and out of the action, and although it’s hard to understand exactly what’s going on, there’s a heady thrill-and-spill atmosphere.

“William Harrison’s story is bleak near-future science fiction, envisaging a world where national governments had succumbed to powerful global corporations engaged in constant power struggles. Rollerball is the national sport used to demonstrate that individuality is now a pointless struggle. The film is set in Houston, although the stadium action was filmed in a converted sports arena in Munich.

“The performances of star player, James Caan, drawn into the politics behind the sport and John Houseman as a creepy corporate boss, are excellent. There is also a nice side act by Ralph Richardson as a computer librarian and the action set pieces are all spectacular.” – BBC

• Country USA
• Rating R
• Year 1975
• Running Time 125 minutes
• Director Norman Jewison
• Cast James Caan, John Housman, Maud Adams

IFC Center does not generally provide advisories about subject matter or potentially triggering content in films, as sensitivities vary from person to person. In addition to the synopses, trailers and other links on our website, further information about content and age-appropriateness for specific films can be found on Common Sense Media, IMDb and DoesTheDogDie.com as well as through general internet searches.