Rollerball 1975

In a corporate controlled future, an ultra-violent sport known as Rollerball represents the world, and one of it’s powerful athletes is out to defy those who want him out of the game.

• Director:Norman Jewison
• Genre:Action | Sci-Fi | Sport
• Runtime:125 minutes

Cast

James Caan : Jonathan E.
John Houseman : Bartholomew
Maud Adams : Ella
John Beck : Moonpie
Moses Gunn : Cletus

The film tells the story of Jonathan E (James Caan), the veteran star of the Energy Corporation’s Houston team. By virtue of his stellar performance over the years, Jonathan has become the most recognizable Rollerballer in history; civilians all over the world recognize him on sight. This recognition is problematic for the hegemonic corporations. After another impressive performance in Houston’s season-ending victory over the Madrid team, Energy Corporation chairman Mr. Bartholomew (John Houseman) congratulates the team and announces that the corporation, running out of ways to properly reward their champion, will feature Jonathan on a “multivision” special devoted to his career.

Mr. Bartholomew later reveals to Jonathan that the corporate executives want him to retire, and offers Jonathan a lavish retirement package including an incentive package featuring “privileges,” the currency of the society, asking him to announce his retirement on his televised special. Mr. Bartholomew emphasizes the benefits of corporate-run society and the importance of respecting executive decisions, but does not reveal why the directorate wants Jonathan to retire. It is revealed that Jonathan was married to a woman, Ella (Maud Adams), and that the marriage ended when she was promised to an executive.

The film revolves around the struggle of Jonathan to understand why he faces so much pressure to retire, which he ponders at his Texas ranch with his personal coach and his corporation-provided concubine. Jonathan gives advice to a group of up-and-coming Rollerball players, emphasizing the importance of skill and technique. He later tries to access some books from a library, but finds that the books have been classified, transcribed, and stored in one of the major corporate computer banks. Jonathan comforts himself at his ranch by watching video of his ex-wife, and finds that the corporation has sent him another concubine, Daphne. Read more

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