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Barry Pepper, Thomas Jane, Anthony Michael Hall, Richard Masur, Bruce McGill ... see more see more... , Christopher McDonald , Jennifer Foley , Renée Taylor , Bob Gunton , Donald Moffat , Christopher Bauer , Pat Crowley , Joe Grifasi , Paul Borghese , Bobby Hosea , Peter Jacobson , Seymour Cassel , Robert Joy , Michael Nouri , Domenick Lombardozzi , Rebecca Klinger , Robert Costanzo , Christopher George Marquette , Conor O'Farrell , Jimmy Intveld , Connor Trinneer

Noted baseball fan Billy Crystal directed this made-for-cable drama set in the summer of 1961, as two of the strongest hitters in the major leagues, Mickey Mantle (Thomas Jane) and Roger Maris (Barry ... read more read more...Pepper), find themselves neck and neck in a battle to break Babe Ruth's long-standing record for most home runs in a season. Both men were playing for the New York Yankees at the time, and as the two men came within grasping distance of Ruth's record, their loyalty as friends and teammates was put to the ultimate test. 61 also features Richard Masur, Bruce McGill, Anthony Michael Hall, and Renee Taylor; the scenes set in Yankee Stadium were filmed at Michigan's Tiger Stadium, shortly after the Detroit Tigers shuttered the venerable playing field and relocated to a newer facility. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

85% liked it

15,161 ratings

Critics

80% liked it

15 critics

Unrated, 2 hr. 10 min.

Directed by: Billy Crystal

Release Date: April 28, 2001

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DVD Release Date: September 11, 2001

Stats: 844 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (844)

  • Chiefilms
    September 10, 2010
    Chiefilms
    Quality HBO film, great acting and screenplay. Only movie I've seen where Barry Pepper has a lead role, he's solid as balls.
  • aliceinpunderland
    April 16, 2010
    aliceinpunderland
    What a wonderful movie! I was all "Awwww!" and "Noooo!" and "Yaaaay!" Full of exciting sports, devastating injuries, and heartwarming camaraderie.

    Barry Pepper is hella sexy. I love the scene the night before the 61st, during which Maris talks to his wife in bed and gives her... read more the the softest, most tender kiss.

    Waaaaah!
  • barrys
    March 2, 2007
    barrys
    Great movie, , its a film with a very emotive momentum, its funny when it needs to be, and the best of all is that its a true story. Maybe one of greatest sports movies ever. No matter if tour're a baseball fan or not, this film will entertain you till the end of it. Barry Pepper... read more and Thomas Jane give us a very solid and convinceable performance as Maris and Mantle. Billy Crystal's way of directing makes you feel life if you were livng each moment of the movie, good for him.
  • ileo
    December 10, 2007
    ileo
    A great film!
  • toejambaseball24
    July 20, 2007
    toejambaseball24
    One of my favorite baseball movies. Roger Maris still holds the record in my heart... F Bonds and McGwire! Cheaters!
  • KLFilmmaker
    September 25, 2006
    KLFilmmaker
    Great sports movie.
  • juliantoepfer
    December 29, 2011
    juliantoepfer
    Terrific mix of drama and documentary. About as historically accurate a baseball film as I've ever seen. An amazing look at the historic 1961 season, and the chase for the most fabled record in all of sports.

    Pepper and Jane turn in the best performances of their careers, brin... read moreging the legends of Maris and Mantle to the screen. Well written, directed, and researched. Full of great cameos by both historical baseball figures (DiMagio, Yogi Berra, Ralph Kiner, Whitey Ford, etc) and secondary actors (Hall, McGill, McDonald) which really add depth to the film.

    The only complaint I have is that it drags a little long, and gets a little over dramatic at times. These few negatives are few and far between though, as this definitely ranks as one of the all time great baseball films (and sports films in general).

    Also, I'd like to throw in a bit of personal opinion and state that Roger Maris is STILL the single season home run champion. McGuire, Sosa and Bonds are nothing but cheating chemically made imposters.
  • dinahmoehum
    July 10, 2010
    dinahmoehum
    It was ok, but all the hype, and I just didn't think it was that good. Too long, and not really that interesting.
  • MovieGuruDude72
    December 5, 2009
    MovieGuruDude72
    Not a bad movie, though Billy Crystal is no director. Barry Pepper looked NOTHING like the real Roger Maris. The movie's biggest problem is that it's based on a true story is directed by a veritable baseball fanatic in Crystal and and it STILL manages to be historically innacura... read morete. It's hokey and maybe the reason it never took off like it should have. Pepper's problem is that he just doesn't look like an athlete. he should have taken acting cues from Kevin Costner on how to play a pro baseball player because he looked like a wooden figure out there. Baseball players are NOT stick figures but it felt like that's all I was watching for this movie.
  • jscottcorley
    August 5, 2009
    jscottcorley
    A very interesting look at the home run title race and the idiotic Yankees fans who wanted to have their cake and eat it too. Well acted and Crystal keeps things moving. A Maris biopic, really.

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Critic Reviews

Bob Bloom
April 12, 2007
Bob Bloom, Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)

A great baseball movie solidly directed by Billy Crystal. You can tell he's a Yankee fan, but also does not hesitate from showing the warts on some of his idols.

Clint Morris
March 31, 2005
Clint Morris, Moviehole

One of the best telemovies I've ever seen...simply sensational

David Nusair
August 1, 2003
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews

...[features] two superb performances. Full Review

James Rocchi
November 7, 2002
James Rocchi, Netflix

Baseball drama from director Billy Crystal has the graceful arc of a well-hit ball. Full Review

Jon Niccum
August 30, 2002
Jon Niccum, Lawrence Journal-World

A superior baseball movie

Scott Weinberg
July 25, 2002
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com

Unexpectedly touching (and extremely well-acted) portrait of two baseball legends.

John A. Nesbit
November 13, 2001
John A. Nesbit, Old School Reviews

This film will play much better to die hard baseball fans than it will to non-devotees Full Review

October 21, 2001
Ebert & Roeper

Click to read the article Full Review

Allen Barra
October 21, 2001
Allen Barra, Salon.com

Click to read the article Full Review

Emanuel Levy
August 8, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

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