61* (2001) (TV)

User Rating:

7.8/10   

Director:

Billy Crystal

Writer (WGA):

Hank Steinberg (written by)

Release Date:

28 April 2001 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | History | Sport

Tagline:

Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris. Why did America have room in its heart for only one hero?

Plot:

Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle race to break Babe Ruth's single-season home run record.

Plot Keywords:

Babe Ruth | Sports Writer | Friendship | Baseball | Queens New York

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 3 wins & 20 nominations

Cast

Barry Pepper	...	Roger Maris
Thomas Jane	...	Mickey Mantle
Anthony Michael Hall	...	Whitey Ford
Richard Masur	...	Milt Kahn
Bruce McGill	...	Ralph Houk
Chris Bauer	...	Bob Cerv
Jennifer Crystal	...	Pat Maris ('61) (as Jennifer Crystal Foley)
Christopher McDonald	...	Mel Allen
Bob Gunton	...	Dan Topping
Donald Moffat	...	Ford Frick
Joe Grifasi	...	Phil Rizzuto
Peter Jacobson	...	Artie Green
Seymour Cassel	...	Sam Simon
Robert Joy	...	Bob Fitschel
Michael Nouri	...	Joe DiMaggio

Also Known As:

61 (USA)
Home Run Race (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

129 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

South Korea:15 | Canada:AA (Ontario) | Canada:G (Quebec) | Iceland:L | Singapore:PG | USA:TV-MA

Filming Locations:

Ambassador Hotel - 3400 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

61* Productions Inc.

Trivia:

In the "I Love Mickey" song played in the movie, the first "Mickey Who?" is said by the actual Mickey Mantle. The rest are said by Thomas Jane.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: Seats in Detroit have cushions with the modern Tigers logo, not installed until the early 1990s.

Quotes:

Milt Kahn: [after Maris hit his 61st home run] Do you think you earned their respect out there today?
Roger Maris: Milt, I don't think that's something you earn on a ballfield.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Punisher (2004)

Soundtrack:

Dedicated To The One I Love

This is a great film even for the non baseball fan

Even for the only occasional baseball fan in Europe (i.e. myself) this film gives you excitement about the game the game of baseball, feeling for some of its greatest stars and hits home just how big the sport is across the pond. And it really brings home how much director/producer Billy Crystal loves the game.

The strength, however, really rest in the performance of Billy Pepper and Thomas Jane who portray the friendship, rivalry and respect between two great players.

I was glued to the screen from moment one would suggest that this is one of the strongest sports films ever made.