61* (2001) (TV)

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:

Baseball Bat | Hero | Cigarette | Favoritism | Smoking

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:

Factual errors: Maris and Mantle hit his respective 45th homer on the same day: Mantle in the 1st game of a double-header, Maris in the 2nd. In the movie, Maris hits his 45th and Mantle his 44th.

Quotes:

McGwire 60th & 62nd Home Run Announcer: Down the left field line, is it enough? GONE! There it is! 62!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Punisher (2004)

Soundtrack:

Hello, Mary Lou (Goodbye Heart)

Incredible baseball movie

I could spend hours trying to come up with the perfect words to describe "61*" Simply put, its one of the best baseball movies I have ever seen. Barry Pepper and Thomas Jane ARE Maris and Mantle. Billy Crystal did an exceptional job directing this picture. The acting is excellent. A great part of the movie is seeing all the old ballparks that have been refaced and digitally made to look like the parks did in 1961. Turning Tiger Stadium into Yankee Stadium is quite a feat! I would recommend this movie to the die-hards, the casuals, and those who don't know anything about baseball. Billy Crystal -- Thank you for another great movie!