Bang The Drum Slowly (1973)

Memorable films usually stick with us best if they have memorable characters and good acting melded together with an endearing or captivating story and a musical score that pushes your emotions all into the same emotional pot. We enjoy watching films decades later because those elements were blended just right to strike a chord in our minds and/or our hearts. "Bridge on the River Kwai," "Lilies in the Field," "The Good, the Bad & the Ugly," "Rocky," "American Graffitti," "The Way We Were," "Breakfast at Tiffany's," "Dr. Zhivago," "ET," "Hoosiers," "Animal House," "Bull Durham," "Raiders of the Lost Ark," "Dan in Real Life" -- all were able to do that well and we will continue to enjoy watching them years and years later and reminisce about the feelings they still bring out in us.Well, "Bang the Drum Slowly" may not be a classic like most of the others just mentioned, but it certainly hits the same beautiful rhythm with all those components and still hits a home run with our hearts. Robert DeNiro's character Bruce Pearson finds out he has a terminal disease and Michael Moriarty sticks by the simple minded catcher in a bond that drives home the true meaning of empathy. A young DeNiro plays his country boy with a perfect blend of humility and genuiness. Moriarty's Henry Wiggins protects Pearson's short time left with dogged determination and growing realization of what's really important in life -- relationships.With Stephen Lawrence's beautiful musical score, Moriarty's caring voice narration pull on our emotions like "Brian's Song" did. Add in some great little characters -- especially the coach, played splendidly by Vincent Gardenia -- and the tease of just how long can they keep Pearson's terminal condition a secret and you have one entertaining, memorable movie -- whether you like baseball or not. This one's all about the people, the hands their dealt, both good and bad, and how they react in the face of tragedy.Again, maybe not worthy of an all-time classic, but, it certainly touches all the bases when it comes to our hearts and minds and what's really important -- treating others with decency and living each day as if it could be your last. Forty some years later, it still "gets me" in a good spot.

I saw this as a kid and kinda held it in the back of my mind as a very good baseball movie, but I never saw it again as an adult. One day I ordered it and I'm so glad I did. There are some basic concepts that are still powerful and resonate today especially as we see the impact "ragging" on players can have on performance. It's a great movie. It's a great baseball movie. It's a great friendship movie.

It truly showed teamwork and respect for one another. Even though they were a contender they didn't overlook DeNiro's character and how important he was to the team. Definitely one of Michael Moriarty's best performance ever; he made a great narrator through the film as well.

One of best acted and thought-out movies I've ever seen. Both DeNiro and the Moriarty (actor playing his friend 0 were excellent and the movie was very thought-provoking. I wish there were more movies like this one - can't rate it high enough. We moved it!

This was early DiNiro and it gave us an insight into what a force he would become as an actor. Michael Moriarty played the Henry Wiggin character with suitable restraint, balancing the compassion he felt for his friend with the reality of the day to day grind that is a baseball season. You may find it interesting that the author of the book, Mark Harris, had previously written a story about Wiggin, called "The Southpaw". You will notice that Moriarty throws right-handed so, obviously, there was no reference to the original left handed Henry. Some of the dressing room hijinks was entertaining, so there was some comedy relief in an otherwise grim story. You need not be a baseball fan to become emotionally involved in this story, which may having you grabbing at the Kleenex.

Classic movie and a very different roll than anything you've seen DeNiro do before or after.

good movie

Great movie! Truly a baseball classic

I really enjoyed .It took a very long time to come but I think it was due to postal strike.

Not nearly as good as I had hoped. Actually I could not wait for it to end.