Rollerball is a thoughtful dystopian vision directed by Norman Jewison.
The film explores freewill in humanity. At the centre of its excellence is the character of Jonathan E and James Caan's performance. Jonathan does not start a rally, make passionate public speeches or even show much outward emotion. He is simply faced with an injustice and it's like an itch he can't scratch. It is just not in his nature to accept it, he can't.
Jonathan is part of a brutal game used to teach society a lesson and yet it is his skill in the game that creates his identity, not the rewards or luxuries.
The action and game scenes themselves are surprisingly coherent and well paced. While lacking sophisticated special effects, the escalating violence is far more shocking than the cartoon action of modern CGI films. The action serves to illustrate the themes, not to titillate or excite.
The direction is so skillful from Jewison that the final action scene, a game that ends in total carnage, and contains almost no dialogue, serves as a clear conclusion of the film's philosophical thesis. The scene is full of masterstrokes that play effectively against type. Jonathan walks through the expectant locker room silently, without making any of the motivational speeches we are expecting.
Personal note: I first saw this in the early 80s and rewatching this excellent piece of genre film art makes me realise what an abomination the modern remake is.
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The film explores freewill in humanity. At the centre of its excellence is the character of Jonathan E and James Caan's performance. Jonathan does not start a rally, make passionate public speeches or even show much outward emotion. He is simply faced with an injustice and it's like an itch he can't scratch. It is just not in his nature to accept it, he can't.
Jonathan is part of a brutal game used to teach society a lesson and yet it is his skill in the game that creates his identity, not the rewards or luxuries.
The action and game scenes themselves are surprisingly coherent and well paced. While lacking sophisticated special effects, the escalating violence is far more shocking than the cartoon action of modern CGI films. The action serves to illustrate the themes, not to titillate or excite.
The direction is so skillful from Jewison that the final action scene, a game that ends in total carnage, and contains almost no dialogue, serves as a clear conclusion of the film's philosophical thesis. The scene is full of masterstrokes that play effectively against type. Jonathan walks through the expectant locker room silently, without making any of the motivational speeches we are expecting.
Personal note: I first saw this in the early 80s and rewatching this excellent piece of genre film art makes me realise what an abomination the modern remake is.