Brian's Song (1971 TV Movie) User Reviews (71)

One Of The Best Made For TV Movies Ever!

[sddavis63 · 9/10 · 26 July 2011]

The 1970's gave rise to the "made for TV" movie on a regular basis, and a lot of them were pretty disappointing, with weak stories and poor acting. But then there's "Brian's Song" - which 40 years later still has to rank as one of the best (if not the best) TV movies ever made. It's a "football" movie to an extent, but it's far more than a football movie. It's a story about a friendship that known no bounds and that overcomes a lot of odds. In 1965, Gayle Sayers and Brian Piccolo were rookie running backs for the Chicago Bears. The should have been rivals and not friends. They were competing for starting positions; Sayers was black and Piccolo was white. There should have been too many divides for them to cross to build a friendship, and yet they did build a friendship.

Billy Dee Williams and James Caan were wonderful in these title roles. For I would say two thirds of its short run time (minus TV commercials, it comes in at a little under an hour and a quarter) this is essentially a football movie. The friendship is well developed, but there's a heavy emphasis on training shots and a lot of really good real football footage, mostly of some spectacular runs by Sayers. The movie really takes off though once Sayers suffers a knee injury that knocks him out of the lineup. Piccolo takes his place, and Piccolo wants him back and helps him get back into game shape. For a while they share the backfield, and then the movie becomes a powerful tearjerker, as Piccolo is diagnosed with cancer, and Sayers sees him through his final illness.

Yes, this is a made for TV movie. It's not flashy, but it's good - very good. And it's very moving. You can't help but feel sad as it comes to an end. Let's face it. 26 years olds (football players or not) shouldn't die, but they sometimes do - and it's very sad. But sad though it is, in the end you have to feel uplifted by this movie about the power of a friendship that overcomes all the odds against it. The movie also features a pretty strong performance from Jack Warden as the legendary Chicago bears coach George Halas. You can't ask for much more than this. (9/10)

I cried......

[grahamsj3 · 7/10 · 20 December 2002]

Yes, I did. Anyone who doesn't the first (and probably second) time they see it is not human. The film does a fantastic job of establishing a strong bond between the two lead characters, played by James Caan and Billy Dee Williams. Then, at the end, when Billy Dee says "I love Brian Piccolo..." I lost it! Blubbering! This is one outstanding film. If you decide to watch it, have your tissues handy towards the end!

YOU'LL LAUGH, YOU'LL CRY, YOU'LL WANT TO PLAY FOOTBALL

[brianlion · 7/10 · 5 November 2002]

I still remember sitting down with my family to watch "Brian's Song", the made for TV movie in 1971. I was 13 years of age, and my 3 brothers and I thought we were going to watch a sports movie. It's funny thinking back to that night, as all the brothers fought back tears during the final scenes. We jumped up at the end, and tried to act macho and pretended we all had colds and runny noses. Watching the movie today, it doesn't have quite the same impact, but it remains touching and dramatic. James Caan and Billy D Williams work well together. They act without any arrogance and tough-guy attributes they picked up later in their careers. The movie score wraps around the scenes to add to the poignancy without disrupting the mood. Shelly Fabarase is the perfect wife. It is a touching tribute to a ordinary football player, Brian Piccolo, who lead a extraordinary life. A updated version of "Brian's Song" attempted to capture the magic of 1971's version, but as is usually the case, the attempt falls short of the goal. The original does the best at mourning Piccolo's death, but most importantly, celebrating his life. It is a touchdown!

A Standard After More Than 30 years

[juliafwilliams · 22 October 2003]

After more than 30 years, this movie has earned its place as the standard for all television movies that followed it. A great score, a great cast............it just does not get any better than this. That remake (2001) does not measure the quality or the warmth of this 1971 standard bearer.

It was an honor to cry at such a fine film

[MichaelMovieLoft · 10/10 · 18 April 2003]

This is one of the best football films ever made. Yes, it's not that long, but it is great. Billy Dee Williams and James Caan were just starting out their careers and TV movies were still fairly new. This is a story of two opposites, one who was shy and kept to himself and the other who was cocky and confident. There would eventually see past their differences and become the best of friends. I like the chemistry that Williams and Caan had in this film. They made you belive they were Sayers and Pic. What was the part that made me cry? It was the scene where Gale has to tell the team before a game that Brian has cancer. Even if I have to force it, I love to cry at that scene. It's the best part of the film. The musical score is also great. The theme has a tone to it I can't describe. I tried watching the remake when it came out, and couldn't make it through the first 15 minutes. It was Disneytized for my viewing displeasure. In my heart, Williams and Caan will always be Sayers and Pic. No doubt about it.

A made-for-TV classic

[capitan_movie · 10/10 · 4 June 2000]

Start with the great musical score, add magnificent performances by the two leads and the entire supporting cast, an inspirational story, and great directing from Buzz Kulik, then add a terrific script. The result is the greatest made-for-TV movie of all time. The comraderie is exceptional, the dialogue is phenomenal, and every relationship rings true,

Great sports movie, great post racial friendship, great man tears

[SnoopyStyle · 7/10 · 11 June 2014]

Quiet Gale Sayers (Billy Dee Williams) joins the Chicago Bears and is befriended by the brash Brian Piccolo (James Caan). It starts off with Piccolo playing a joke on Sayers telling him that coach Halas (Jack Warden) is deaf in one ear. Sayers returns the favor. They compete for the same job. Sayers is the sure thing. Piccolo is too slow and too light. The team decides to room the two together in 1965 based on position rather than race. The two and their wives become great friends enduring many challenges.

In the ashes of the racial strife of the previous decade, this TV movie hits on the timely subject by showing the healing powers of a post-racial true friendship. The modernity of their relationship allowed the viewers to get pass all their hang ups. That's why the nigg*r scene works so well. James Caan is brilliant and he follows it up with the iconic 'The Godfather'. Billy Dee's Sayers starts off quiet but then turns up the heat. The only thing truly missing is some better football scenes. The use of real game footage to augment the inferior footage with the actors helps a little. I wish it could be done more seamlessly but that may be asking too much. This is definitely a melodrama and viewers have to be prepared for it.

Second Best TV movie ever!

[damroncharles · 9/10 · 1 January 2005]

Only Steven Spielberg's "Duel" is a better TV movie than this movie. Brian's Song proves that real men can cry! When my friends and I discuss this movie, each one of us has admitted that we cried during its three dramatic scenes. The one that does it for me, is when Billy Dee Williams' character Gale Salyers has to tell his teammates that James Caan's character, Brian Piccolo has cancer. You can almost sense that the two actors bonded during this film. The inter-mixing of NFL Films footage of both players works to the understanding the relationship they had. Possibly the best football and buddy flick of all time. Outstanding performances from all the actors. Watch it with someone you love.

Despite the minor surrounding flaws,the story will hook you,and bring you back.

[SmileysWorld · 7/10 · 26 October 2007]

When this film began production,Brian Piccolo had only been gone for six months.As a result,most of the film takes on the atmosphere of being rushed to production.It has an obvious look that they were given a very small time frame to get this film made.They rushed it.Also,you have real,honest to goodness football players trying to act.They are trying to come across as though they are not reading their lines as they speak,but it's obvious that they are.All of that being said,Brian's Song is still an enjoyable film because of it's story.You are watching a friendship develop,evolve,and flourish into a brotherly love.This is the hook that keeps you watching,and ultimately brings you back to see it again.

An inspiring story of friendship and love...

[eustfam · 9/10 · 12 September 2004]

I just love this movie! It is a story of 2 men--Gale and Brian...2 unlikely people to become the best of friends...The actors were well cast--James Caan and Billy Dee Sayers fit their roles to a tee. It is a film not only of friendship but also of love...a film of triumph of the human spirit. It is a story that transcends time and overcomes barriers to relationships, whatever they might be--racial, religious, or political. It challenges the viewer to assess his/her own prejudices and why it must be overcome. It is as timely as it was when it was first shown. A real winner but be prepared with a box of Kleenex when watching this very touching film. I saw a remake of this film quite recently but I think the original movie was much better than the remake.

"How he did live!"

[classicsoncall · 7/10 · 16 September 2019]

I'm surprised this film has such a low viewership here on IMDb, back in 1971 it garnered a fair share of notoriety. It's not so much a football movie as a movie with football in it as a backdrop to the friendship that developed between white player Brian Piccolo (James Caan) and black man Gale Sayers (Billy Dee Williams). Sayers went on to have a brief but highly productive NFL career following the death of his teammate, and was regarded by his peers as one of the most difficult players to tackle because of his elusive running style. The story follows Sayers from his first day at training camp and how he met Piccolo, to the sad and debilitating end of Pic's career when he was suddenly stricken with cancer. In a film like this, there are bound to be teary eyed moments, as one can relate to the trauma brought on to one's family and friends when the disease begins to take it's toll. It does get rather melodramatic near the end of the picture, as Sayers announces Piccolo's illness to their Chicago Bears teammates, and the scenes at the hospital take their toll on one's emotions. Especially discomforting are Pic's words to wife Joy (Shelley Fabares) when he finally comes to terms that his playing days are over - "I got too much to do yet...". Though we know at the outset that the story ends with death, it's true inspiration comes from the heartwarming story of a post-racial relationship that transcended the color barrier at a time when the country was attempting to heal itself of the racial trauma of the Sixties.

This ain't no hero dog Lassie film saving his human companion, but it has the same effect tugging at your heartstrings

[Ed-Shullivan · 10/10 · 27 October 2020]

Yes, this is an almost 50 year old made for TV film (hard to imagine but it is) and for it's time during the aftermath of much civil unrest in the USA, the film served it's purpose reflecting the will of two great athletes, Gayle Sayers and Brian Piccolo who although in real life, competed hard against each other on the gridiron, were able to put aside their differences and stay strong for one another as the lesser known Chicago Bears football running back Brian Piccolo was battling testicular cancer.

Not all films end up in a warm and fuzzy romantic embrace, or in this case a great sports achievement such as carrying the SuperBowl trophy over their shoulders. No, in this film, we witness how two real life tough as nails running backs for the NFL Chicago Bears accept one mans fate battling testicular cancer and work their butts off trying to defeat this evil of diseases, cancer.

The producers could not have selected two better actors such as James Caan (Brian Piccolo), Billy Dee Williams (Hall of Famer Gayle Sayers). Their chemistry on screen was undeniable, and the film has warmed many a man's (and women's) hearts through their spirit of giving and loving one another and the race card not being used.

It is a film I watched with my own sons, and soon enough I will have my grandchildren watching it as well as I own both DVD film versions (1971 & 2001 remake starring Mekhi Phifer, Sean Maher).

For a made for TV film it was one of the most anticipated true life stories brought to the television audience and remains one of the very best sports film ever. I give it a perfect 10 out of 10 IMDB rating.

Many inaccuracies in these Sports Movies. I loved it!

[thejcowboy22 · 6/10 · 14 September 2017]

I remember my days at college in the Boston area doing a sports prognostication show. Every Friday at 6:15PM following the news, "Pro Profit" would air. It was 15 minutes radio show emanating from my college radio station WMLN in Milton,Massachusetts. My partner and I would predict the winners of the NFL games played that Sunday. We would write a small account of the upcoming games and reasons why our particular team would win or lose that Sunday. We also gave our spread as well.( Gambling in it's purest form.) Anyway, my friend one Friday on the air predicted the Bears would beat the Vikings despite having terrible team with an eight game losing streak at hand. It also happened to be the anniversary of the death of Smokey the Bear who passed away in a Washington D.C. Zoo two years earlier. My partner closed his prediction as follows, "Except for the great running back Walter Payton, the Bears have no offensive line and a porous defense but their motto is simple, "Win One For Smokey!" I lost it! Uncontrolled laughter filled the air-waves. Now what does this story have to do with this review? Absolutely nothing! "Brian Song" was introduced on Monday Night football by the brash pompous Howard Cosell during halftime. Mrs. Joy Piccolo was interviewed by promoting the made for TV film about her husband who was tragically taken by Cancer at the age of 26. Joy also was raising money for Cancer research. This movie was shown on the ABC network the following week. The movie starts in Chronological order as an errant punt heading past black running back Gale Sayers (Billy Dee Williams) is picked up by white rival running back Brian Piccolo (James Caan) who gives him bogus advice that Coach Halas (Jack Warden) has hearing problem in his left ear. Sayers was called into Halas's office. The coach was puzzled seeing Sayers moving and twisting toward his right side. Sayers kept moving around trying to speak into Halas's good ear. Then the rookie realized he 'd been had. Gale's Revenge on teammate Piccolo comes quickly as the tradition in NFL training camps is for all the rookies to stand up during dinner and sing their College fight song. It's Piccolo's turn to sing his fight song from his Alma Matter Wake Forest University. As he sings Gale put and extra helping of mash potatoes with gravy on his chair. To the displeasure of the Bears players Brian's tone deaf rendition of the song ends, Brian plops down on the chair in disgust and moist mashed potatoes kiss his bottom.. This cements their bond, relationship, as Black player and White set a precedent rooming together as both men make NFL history in racial unity. One reporter asks Gale if he objects to having a white roommate and he replies, "He won't let me use the bathroom." Racial jokes fly throughout the movie in good spirit as Brian who is rehabbing/training Gale after a knee injury to motivate him tries to call him the N word. James Caan does a fine job with the southern drawl although the real Brian Piccolo looks more like Burt Reynolds. I had no problem with the chemistry between Williams and Caan. Jack Warden who always seems to a play a sports coach to some capacity plays the legendary Poppa Bear with compassion and warmth. A heartrending scene when a little girl in the hospital wanted an autographed ball from Brian as Joy Picollo (Shelley Faberes) asked the nurse which room she was convalescing in? The Nurse said that the girl died this morning. The movie had the feel of a Marcus Welby MD episode with the same sets and music. Stock footage of the real Gale Sayers shows his dynamic running style of misdirection fooling opposing defensive linemen. Despite the inaccuracies and continuity issues of the actual places these events were held, it's still a great Television experience winning several EMMY Awards. To Quote Gale Sayers in one of his speeches, "I love Brian Piccolo and I hope all of you love him too."

A good but dated film with something missing

[wgranger · 5/10 · 24 June 2007]

I didn't realize that this was originally a made-for-TV movie when I first saw it and I think this movie shows how far TV has come in the last 30 plus years. Maybe I'm the only one who doesn't think this is a wonderful film, but it left me somewhat unfulfilled. The movie does have some good performances by its cast especially the roles of Pic and Sayers, their wives, and the head coach. Nevertheless, the acting seems geared towards making it play strictly as a tear-jerker, not a serious drama. My biggest complaint, however, was that there was not enough development in the characters to see how and why they became good friends. When did they go from playing practical jokes on each other to becoming like brothers? And then there was Pic's very unfunny racial humor. When Sayers gave him a pint of blood, he had an urge for chitterlings. Maybe that was funny in 1971, but wasn't a professional golfer roundly criticized for a similar comment about Tiger Woods? I couldn't understand some of the football humor either and the laughs seemed contrived rather than heartfelt. I think this could have been a much better movie if it had moved slower and there had been a little more character development to understand why these two guys clicked and became such good friends and then the loss would not seem contrived but real.

This was awesome......

[elizabethbennett · 17 December 2003]

This movie was awesome. Had all of the ingredients of friendship, love, acceptance and breaking of racial barriers considering the era it took place in. One of the best. However, I do recommend that before viewing this, one gets 20 boxes of kleenex and a bottle of prozac, you are gonna need it.

Good Lord, I hate TV movies.

[Stretch68 · 9/10 · 30 December 2003]

That being said, this is most definitely NOT a TV movie in the standard overacted, overly cheesy, ridiculous sense. I love this movie. Billy Dee Williams (Sayers) and James Caan (Piccolo) give the exact right emotional level to their parts, and it brings the rest of the cast into the story. I found myself laughing, hurting, and crying at various times throughout this movie. I do agree with the previous reviewer that if you can watch Sayers' speech upon winning the George Halas "Most Courageous Player" award without tearing up (or, more accurately, blubbering like a buffoon), you're probably not human.

DO NOT watch the remake - it was horrible. This movie, however, is a 9/10.

The Ultimate "Guy" Movie

[Popeye-8 · 10/10 · 2 February 2001]

The TV show "Just Shoot Me" once had a sub-plot involving the primary male characters being drawn to watching BRIAN'S SONG...and dissolving into tears by the conclusion--as well as commenting on why "men don't cry", although they should. The use of the movie is a brilliant move, as this truly is the ultimate Guy Picture, and worthy of its unofficial recognition as the greatest television movie ever made.

Good Movie...but

[annmason1 · 6/10 · 5 November 2006]

It seems unfeeling not to love this movie. I do love the relationship it portrayed. BUT who on earth picked James Caan to play Brian Piccolo? He is Jewish, definitely not twenty six, and not a football player. Who cast this film? Caan would have been better as the guy who owned the Bears. Yes, there was no such part, but he would have played it more believably.

Billy Dee Williams is wonderful. The story is wonderful, very tragic, but the warning at the beginning of the movie (Hemmingway's quote that "all good stories end in death") was helpful. I knew the outcome, of course, but I like the upfront approach.

I also like the fact this film did not try to make a statement about black/white relations, but kept the story about two men who loved and supported one another. An excellent film, but I would have cast someone like Sylvester Stallone as Brian. He has the ethnicity, the correct age at the time, and the aura of a football player.

Have TWO boxes of Kleenex nearby when you watch this one!

[planktonrules · 10/10 · 30 January 2020]

Sad they couldn't say testicular cancer--great cure rates are much higher

"Brian's Song" is an infamous film because it tore the hearts out of millions when it aired back in 1971. I saw it and remember being traumatized. Now I am watching it almost 50 years later and hopefully it won't leave me an emotional basket case!

The story is about the relationship between two rookies with the Chicago Bears, Brian Piccolo (James Caan) and Gale Sayers (Billy Dee Williams), and how they respond to Piccolo's cancer diagnosis. It's based on the book written by Sayers after his friend's death. The two became friends and the film really plays that up...and the fact that they were the league's first black-white roommates.

So is this any good? Yes. The acting and script are good but the film really excels in creating a mood through music and its direction. Far better than you'd expect for a made-for-TV movie. And, because it's so effective, it will rip your heart out....even all these years later.

By the way, it is sad that the network wouldn't allow the film to honestly address Piccolo's cancer. It turns out he had testicular cancer and they didn't want it mentioned, as 'testicular' might offend some viewers. Considering it's the most common cancer in guys 18-40, it's ridiculous to dance around it. I had testicular cancer myself at age 26 and I am glad of heightened awareness, otherwise I might not have gotten treatment in time...and my cancer had spread to my chest just like Piccolo's. And, by the way, cure rates from the late 1960s and now have improved dramatically. I am 30 years cancer-free and counting.

And, by the way, when Piccolo says "I think I'm pregnant", that's actually VERY ironic as the test used to detect testicular cancer is a pregnancy test....and if it's positive, you do have cancer.

Made-for-TV Magic

[knucklebreather · 6/10 · 22 September 2009]

Yeah, this movie's pretty good. However, it is kind of limited by the conventions and budgets of the television movie. While some of the introductory scenes are quite good and engrossing, the second act flirts all too closely with melodrama. Yes, it's melodrama that's written, directed and acted well, but it's still melodrama.

The film, as is to be expected of a television movie, pales in comparison with a very similar feature film released around the same time, "Bang the Drum Slowly", which tells a similar story, albeit without a racial element, but also without the slightest hint of melodrama.

"Brian's Song" is somewhat better known, but "Bang the Drum Slowly" is the true masterpiece. Still, "Brian's Song" is a solid film, especially of interest to football fans.

this movie broke my heart....

[suzangrace · 10/10 · 4 March 2004]

I read the book this movie was based on 'I Am Third' by Gale Sayers before there even was a movie. I was inspired by the friendship of the two players. The book lightly touched on the death of Brian Piccolo. When the TV movie came on I told my sisters about him and we sat down in my room to watch the movie. By the end of the movie,we were all crying. My younger brother went running out to the living room to tell my mom someone must have died because we were all crying.

Well, the next time it was on I sat w/my mom to watch it. She had the same reaction.

If that wasn't enough sadness, I bought the book 'A Short Season' by Brian Piccolo and another author. I read it most of the day. I was gettiing ready for a date and I was early. I decided to read the end of the book. If you thought the movie was sad, the book broke my heart!! I cried so hard there was black mascara all over my face. I was still sobbing when my date came to the door. Naturally, I had to redo my makeup.

James Caan (who did not resemble Brian at all) did a wonderful job of capturing his spirit. Billy Dee Williams was wonderful as Gale Sayers. The portrayed the guys friendship so well.

It's too bad we all can't know a friend like these two had!

Watch the original movie!

Won me over

[sjmcollins-1 · 7/10 · 7 January 2005]

Parts of this movie concerning the untimely death of Brian Piccolo (James Caan)had me wondering how it could be rated so highly as a tearjerker. When Gayle Sayers (Billy Dee Williams)breaks the news to his Chicago teammates that Piccolo has cancer, the two actors standing behind him are already in tears before Sayers says the first word (Mr. Director?). But Brian's Song wins you over despite it being a little dated with a strong performance from Williams and an excellent performance from Caan, who delivers more laugh-out-loud lines than any 70's TV movie-of-the-week has a right to give. The bond between the Piccolo and Sayers feels real, and the emotional speech given by Sayers as he accepts the George Halas award is a show stopper, and it shocked me how hard hitting it was after the limp locker room speech that was given. The soundtrack by Michael LeGrand is a little overbearing in some places (like I said, it dates itself a little), but in all fairness, it comes off as unforgettable in other areas, especially at the Halas award ceremony. The mix of footage of the actual players playing with the actors on the sideline during a game lends a realism that is missing with all sports movies today.

One of those movies that holds up over time

[melody23 · 9/10 · 12 February 2005]

Of course it's 70ish and schmoopy and over-the-top with sentiment...it wouldn't be the sweet movie it is if it wasn't all those things. I just watched this film as a jaded 45 year old, having first watched it (a year after my best friend's death at the age of 9) when I was a little girl. This film helped me deal with my own grief. It stands out as one of the very few "made for TV" movies of the period that I still think of fondly...and the viewing of it shows that it primarily holds up to the test of time. It still is a thing of integrity and a sweet if less complicated (in a good way) paean to the essential qualities of humanity on the way to friendship.

Like someone else said, I dare ya not to cry during the "I love Brian Piccolo speech".

There are many historical issues with the production

[steiner-sam · 6/10 · 8 July 2022]

It's a TV movie "biopic" of a relationship between two professional football players, one of whom is African American and the other is white. It's loosely based on Gale Sayer's 1970 autobiography.

Brian Piccolo (James Caan) and Gale Sayers (Billy Dee Williams) joined the Chicago Bears as running backs in 1965. Sayers was a first-round draft pick, and Piccolo was a walk-on. Piccolo is very outgoing, and Sayers is very shy. However, they become good friends, along with their wives, Joy Piccolo (Shelley Fabares) and Linda Sayers (Judy Pace).

The film follows their developing friendship as Piccolo helps bring Sayers out of his shell. They become roommates, and Piccolo is very supportive when Sayers suffers a severe injury. Then Piccolo is diagnosed with embryonal cell carcinoma, a form of cancer latent in his body from birth. The film follows his decline and Sayers' continuing support until Piccolo's death. Head Coach George Halas (Jack Warden) hovers in the background throughout the film.

"Brian's Song" follows a fairly typical "buddy movie" enhanced by the interracial relationship at a difficult time in American history. It's also remarkable the movie was aired only 16 months after Piccolo's death. Caan and Williams are excellent in their characterizations. However, I'm not sure the film would be acceptable in today's culture, as much of the humor between Piccolo and Sayers includes racist repartee.

There are many historical issues with the production. Sayers and Piccolo didn't room together until 1969, the only year Piccolo was a starter--a year the Bears were historically bad. George Halas was no longer the coach in 1969. Piccolo and Sayers were nowhere close to equal in their skill level.

Don't Waste Your Time

[gumby_x2 · 2/10 · 25 March 2009]

This low-budget, made-for-television film from the early 70's reminds me again (painfully) why I don't "do" sports movies very often. The characters are little more than clichés in a script that is so loaded with clichés that it is amazing it doesn't sink under its own weight into the oblivion of never-never land. The screenplay by William Blinn is loaded with schmaltzy, corny scenes that are little more than feeble attempts to draw cheap tears from the audience. This type of film might appeal to jocks whose hat size is larger than their IQ, but the thinking person will avoid this movie like the plague and won't wont dare to let it contaminate their DVD. A better bet is the sports movie "Rudy."