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starring: Barry Pepper, Thomas Jane, Anthony Michael Hall, Richard Masur, Bruce McGilldirected by: Billy Crystal
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Binding: VHS Tape
EAN: 9780783118444
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, NTSC
ISBN: 0783118449
Label: Hbo Home Video
Manufacturer: Hbo Home Video
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Hbo Home Video
Release Date: September 11, 2001
Running Time: 128 minutes
Sales Rank: 10593
Studio: Hbo Home Video
Theatrical Release Date: April 28, 2001
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Editorial Review:
Amazon.com:
When asked to comment during Barry Bonds's 2001 pursuit of the single-season home run record that he himself shattered in 1998, Mark McGwire said, 'I was lucky enough to reach 70, and now they're all talking about it like it's a piece of cake.' It wasn't for Bonds, it wasn't for McGwire, and it certainly wasn't for Roger Maris, who in 1961 competed with his much more popular teammate Mickey Mantle to break Babe Ruth's benchmark of 60 home runs. Originally broadcast on HBO, 61* is the movie that lifelong New York Yankee fan Billy Crystal was born to make; an affectionate but unflinching look at this historic season, the unlikely friendship between the two ballplayers (who were opposites on and off the field), and the pressures Maris in particular faced from a badgering media and increasingly hostile fans. The lineup, while not all-star caliber, is loaded top to bottom with MVP candidates, including a dead-on Barry Pepper as the stoic Maris and a pitch-perfect Thomas Jane as swaggering good ol' boy Mantle. Buffed-up former Geek Hall of Famer Anthony Michael Hall (Sixteen Candles) is pitcher Whitey Ford, and Bruce McGill goes from Animal House to the House That Ruth Built as manager Ralph Houk. Christopher McDonald, usually cast as a smarmy villain, is all smiles as legendary broadcaster Mel 'How about that?' Allen.
Though R-rated, this is not as shocking as Jim Bouton's myth-shattering Ball Four. But when it comes to being politically correct, director Crystal plays hardball. Maris smokes, and Mantle drinks and carouses. There are a few errors, none costly. The welling music that accompanies the home-run heroics of 'the M&M boys' is as bush league as Glenn Close rising in the stands to rally Robert Redford in The Natural. But baseball movie lovers wouldn't have it any other way. -- Donald Liebenson
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - 61-The best insiders view of the life and times of two of the NY Yankees Best
When I first saw this autobiography of Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris stars, it was like being there with them.
Growing up in Brooklyn, NY, and Joe Pepitone (another Yankee local scouted and signed with the Yankees, his brothers Billy and Jimmy were our neighbors. I lived that era and thought I knew everything about every Yankee. This film, I have sought for years and now that I immediately purchased it through Amazon.com, I can tell any fan of baseball that is has all the fun, drama, trials ... Read More
Rating: - Maris!!!!
The greatest Baseball film ever made. Maris should be in the Hall of Fame!!!!
Rating: - Baseball as I remember it
I don't usually write reviews about movies, but I was overwhelmed by this movie. As a kid, I loved baseball, but now I couldn't tell you 10 players in the major leagues. The game is no longer the game that I remember. But this movie brought back everything to me. This is why I loved the game and why I went to bed every night listening to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Billy Crystal did a fantastic job recreating that magical season in 1961. The acting was terrific. The pressure must have been so intense, ... Read More
Rating:  - Great movie, but if you are buying for kids, BE WARNED!!
I am always looking for sports-themed movies for my young son, and he is especially interested in non-fiction movies. ("Miracle" and "Rudy" are two great examples.)
I read the reviews, and thought we'd give this a try. I noticed that this was marked "not rated" and just hoped for the best! Whoops! I am not offended by swearing in the context of baseball. But this has excessive use of the "F" word, which I just wasn't expecting. It was a big surprise and quite disappointing.
I only offer ... Read More
Rating: - Don't really enjoy baseball
Got this for my husband, a baseball fan, but think I enjoyed it more then he did.Very interesting story.
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