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Bang the Drum Slowly |  | Director: John D. Hancock
Actors: Michael Moriarty, Robert De Niro, Vincent Gardenia, Phil Foster, Ann Wedgeworth
Studio: Paramount
Category: DVD
List Price: $9.98
Buy Used: $6.99
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Rating:  24 reviews
Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, Widescreen, NTSC
Languages: English (Subtitled), English (Original Language)
Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Region: 1
Discs: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 96 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 0 x 0 x 0
MPN: TM2522
ISBN: 0792186826
UPC: 097360873245
EAN: 9780792186823
Theatrical Release Date: 1974
Release Date: March 4, 2003
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
The story of the friendship between a star pitcher, wise to the world, and a half-wit catcher, as they cope with the catcher's terminal illness through a baseball season.
Amazon.com
Only those with ice water in their veins won't get misty-eyed watching this moving film about the friendship of two professional baseball players, one of whom--in every sense--is playing his last season. A pre-stardom Robert De Niro portrays a rather simple-minded rookie catcher who comes under the wing of a veteran pitcher (Michael Moriarty). When De Niro's character is diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease, Moriarty tries to help him get through one more season. Directed by John Hancock and based on the novel by Mark Harris (who also wrote the screenplay), the film builds on baseball's ability to foster its own lore of courage, nobility, loyalty, and--sadly--tragedy. Watching the youthful De Niro and Moriarty, with all that promise in their bones, adds to the overall romance of the film today. Also appearing are Vincent Gardenia and Danny Aiello. A perennial favorite for many. --Tom Keogh
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Showing reviews 1-5 of 24
 Excellent acting by Michael Moriarty April 18, 2010
Dr. James Gardner (California)
"Bang the Drum Slowly" is a 1973 adaptation of a 1956 TV program (Paul Newman and Albert Salmi) based on the Mark Harris novel of the same name. The film stars Michael Moriarty and Robert DeNiro.
Michael Moriarty is best known to us from his years playing ADA Ben Stone on "Law and Order." "Drum" was Moriarty's third film and that same year he appeared in a TV version of "The Glass Menagerie" for which he won his first Emmy. He won again in 1978 ("Holocaust") and 2001 ("James Dean") and along the way picked up 5 more nominations as well as a Golden Globe ("Holocaust") and a Tony ("Find Your Way Home") in 1974.
There's not much you can say about DeNiro. He won the Oscar twice ("Raging Bull" and "Godfather 2") and was nominated 4 other times ("Taxi Driver", "Deer Hunter", "Awakenings" and "Cape Fear") and in later years was nominated twice for the American Comedy Award ("Meet the Parents" and "Analyze This"). "Drum" was his 10th film and 2 months later his breakthrough performance in "Mean Streets" launched him on his way - the next year he appeared in "Godfather 2".
The role of the dying catcher Bruce Pierson was originally offered to Al Pacino, but Coppola wanted Pacino for "The Godfather" and had him released. DeNiro was supposed to play Paulie in "The Godfather" but had to give up that role in order to play Pierson. It worked out OK for both of them!
The film co-stars the great character actor Vincent Gardenia, comedian and sometimes actor Phil Foster, and Thelma Diamond
-Vincent Gardenia appeared in nearly 100 films and TV shows. He was twice nominated for an Oscar ("Bang the Drum Slowly" and "Moonstruck"), won an Emmy in 1990 for "Age-Old Friends" and won a Tony in 1972 for "Prisoner of Second Avenue." He gave us many memorable performances, but my favorite is Detective Frank Ochoa in "Death Wish" (1974). Gardenia plays the foul-mouthed manager of the New York Mammoths.
-Phil Foster was a great comedian, part of the borscht belt comedians that emerged in the late 30s. He's best known to us from his recurring role in "Laverne and Shirley" produced by his old friend Gary Marshall. Foster plays a team member.
- Selma Diamond plays a raspy-voiced receptionist in the New York hotel where the players stay. She's best remembered for her continuing role in the TV series "Night Court" for which she earned an Emmy nomination in 1985 (Rhea Perlman won for "Cheers"). Diamond also received an Emmy nomination for her writing work on "Caesar's Hour" (1954). She is terrific as the nosey switchboard operator.
- Ann Wedgeworth has a small role as a hooker. Wedgeworth won the National Society of Film Critics award for Best Supporting Actress in 1977 ("Handle with Care") and won a Tony as Best Actress in 1978 for Neil Simon's "Chapter Two". She was a well-known soap actress at the time the film was made, having appeared in "Another World" (1967-1970) and "Somerset" (1970-1973).
The film is basically a character study of the relationship between Moriarty and DeNiro.
The author of the novel upon which the film is based was Mark Harris. Harris is known for his baseball novels (e.g., "The Southpaw", "A Ticket for a Seam stitch", "It Looked like Forever") all of which center on the experiences of pitcher Henry "Author" Wiggins, played by Moriarty who does an absolutely terrific job as the experienced star pitcher who takes the ailing Denier character under his wing.
John Hancock directs. This was his third film, and he went on to do a dozen undistinguished films and a few TV shows. His best known film is probably "Weeds" which he also wrote. Hancock went on to have greater success on the stage.
The film was a box office success and critically acclaimed. Vincent Gardenia got an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor and DeNiro won a NY Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actor. Writing for Time Magazine, Richard Schickel called it an "extraordinarily well-made film" and say that it was a "funny, gentle and honestly sentimental movie that is easily one of the best of the year in any category, and very possibly the best movie about sport ever made in this country." Roger Ebert called it "the ultimate baseball movie"
DeNiro's performance as the dumb catcher is not among his best performances. He spends a lot of time chewing tobacco and smiling, and slips in and out of his "southern" accent. His facial expressions, at times, come directly from Johnny Boy Civello, the role he did the same year in "Mean Streets" which was a completely different character. If you want to see a good performance from the young DeNiro, "Mean Streets" is the better choice.
Another problem I had with DeNiro's performance is that he doesn't look like a ball player. Whereas Michael Moriarty has us believing that he is a big league pitcher, DeNiro never looks the part. The camera tries to hide this fact in several ways (e.g., every time DeNiro comes to the plate he is filmed by himself) but everytime he is filmed with the other players, it's obvious that he is out of place. This is never more apparent than when 5 players get together to shoot a commercial, and DeNiro looks more like the bat boy than a MLB catcher.
Despite the accolades at the time, unfortunately, the film does not stand the test of time very well. "Brian's Song" provided us with a far better version of the "sports/buddy/dying" movie and the baseball scenes appear highly staged. Personally, if I wanted to watch a film about baseball, I'd look at films like "Eight Men Out" (1988), Bull Durham" (1989), and "A League of Their Own" (1992). If I wanted to watch a baseball comedy I'd watch "Damn Yankees" (1957), "Bad News Bears" (1976), or "Major League" (1989).
The greatest single virtue of this film is Michael Moriarty's performance.
WAITING FOR JJ 'S BOOK NOOK CREDIT/REPLY January 27, 2010
Cathy Duvall (California)
I did not accept the tape, "Bang The Drum Slowly" and instructed to "Return to Sender." I notified Amazon of this and requested a credit to my Master Card. I have not seen this credit and have not heard from JJ's Book Nook.
I need your assistance with this transaction. Thank you for your attention.
Cathy DuVall
1-818-718-1955
"...and lay the sod o'er me..." July 3, 2009
Annie Van Auken (Planet Earth)
BANG THE DRUM SLOWLY is a baseball movie (adapted from a 1950s live TV drama) that's actually about friendship, life and its end. Based on Mark Harris's novel, it was partly filmed at Yankee and Shea stadiums. Vincent Gardenia (as manager Dutch Schnell) received a Best Supporting Oscar nod. Danny Aiello's minor role (as 'Horse') marked his first big screen credit.
The story concerns roommates Henry 'Author' Wiggen (a pitcher) and Bruce Pearson (his catcher). They're intellectual opposites-- Henry's sharp-mind is in total contrast to dimwit Bruce, who often gets ribbed by other New York players.
Bruce discovers during the off-season that he's terminally ill. Another obstacle is catcher Piney Woods (Ligon), a young yahoo up from the minors who's after the always-marginal Bruce's job. Dutch's plans to trade Bruce are disrupted by Henry-- the star pitcher (the only man who knows about Bruce's illness) demands to be traded to wherever the catcher is going, so instead Piney gets sent back down to the minors.
Henry has a typically great season and surprisingly so does Bruce-- the best of his career, in fact. Eventually, the entire team learns of his battle with Hodgkin's disease and everyone pulls together. As their standings in the league rise however, Bruce clearly is in decline.
Robert DeNiro gives a wonderfully nuanced performance as a simple yet heroic man facing life's ultimate challenge. Michael Moriarty is equally excellent in his top-billed role as DeNiro's best friend.
A kinescope-dub of the original 1956 US STEEL HOUR broadcast of "Bang the Drum Slowly" (starrng Paul Newman) is also available.
Parenthetical number preceding title is a 1 to 10 viewer poll rating found at a film resource website.
(7.0) Bang the Drum Slowly (1973) - Michael Moriarty/Robert DeNiro/Vincent Gardenia/Phil Foster/Ann Wedgeworth/Selma Diamond/Tom Ligon/Danny Aiello
 Half hearted attempt at melodrama... April 9, 2009
Andrew Ellington (I'm kind of everywhere)
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
A lot of people love this movie, so I'm preparing myself for a verbal beating, but really; I've yet to find a film as manipulative and generally unfulfilling as `Bang the Drum Slowly'. I say `yet to find' and I know that's rather harsh. There are far worse films, but for the genre, this is certainly at the bottom.
It's like `Brian's Song' without the spark.
Bruce Pearson and Henry Wiggen are teammates. When Bruce gets diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease they form a close bond as Henry looks out for Bruce, covering up his illness and sticking up for him, making sure he stays on the team and can play out his `last season'. There is growing suspicion as Bruce has to make plenty of doctor's appointments, and their coach Dutch Schnell roots around trying to find answers to his many questions, which makes it harder and harder for Bruce to keep his condition a secret.
Sooner or later, it all has to come out.
I know that many will not agree with me, but I felt that `Bang the Drum Slowly' lacked a lot of heart and soul. It just seemed very textbook and came off like an overly manipulative `Lifetime' movie. It had all the elements to create a satisfying tear jerker, but it couldn't quite construct them properly. The film wasn't as touching as it could have been because it lacked a natural spark, a life that made it feel a part of the audience. I think that De Niro is to blame for some (not all) of that. I actually found this to be a very weak performance given by one of the best actors to have ever worked in the business. I was shocked to see him sift through each scene rather lazily. Some will balk at that accusation, but hear me out. He gave a very clichéd and expected portrayal of a sick under educated man. Technically it was proficient, but it lacked any real emotion. He seemed almost bored half the time. There is a way to project the feeling of being weight down by your own anxiety without stripping the character of his appeal, and apparently De Niro didn't know how to do that yet.
But like I said, he's only partially to blame. The script was very heavy handed and the films director didn't quite know how to use that to his advantage. It had no real flow.
I will say that both Michael Moriarty and the Oscar nominated Vincent Gardenia do fine jobs with the material and actually turn in very good performances. I actually agree with Gardenia's nomination; for he brought a comedic flare and sincere concern to Dutch. Sadly, his performance is not enough to get me to recommend this movie. So, disagree all you like, but I'm not going to lie to you; this didn't work for me.
Bang the Drum Slowly February 18, 2009
Steve Luisi (Charlotte, NC USA)
Very strong movie, with some nice emotional moments. Perhaps a tad overdone and the baseball scenes could have been a bit more realistic. But its characters made you care, and it had some really funny parts as well. Overall, I would recommend as a good watch, but don't expect the best sports movie you'll ever see or you will be disappointed.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 24
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