A Reel 40: THE NATURAL

“…there goes Roy Hobbs, the best there ever was in this game.”

This month marks the 40^th anniversary of THE NATURAL. 

 

Often considered to be one of the best sports films of all time, and perhaps the best baseball movie ever made, THE NATURAL was directed by Barry Levinson and adapted from the 1952 novel of the same name by Bernard Malamud. It told the story of Roy Hobbs; a talented baseball player who has his career put on hold for decades. 

 

The run to bring THE NATURAL to the big screen goes back to 1976 when the rights to the novel were purchased. It would linger in various phases of production before being picked up by the newly formed Tri-Star Pictures in 1983. THE NATURAL would be the studio’s first film. 

 

Leading off the film would be acclaimed actor Robert Redford, who was making his first film in four years…having last been seen in BRUBAKER in 1980. Redford would be joined in an all-star lineup which included Robert Duvall, Glenn Close, Kim Basinger, Wilford Brimley, Barbara Hershey, Robert Prosky, and Michael Madsen. Also, in an uncredited role, would be Darren McGavin (the Old Man from A CHRISTMAS STORY). 

 

The directing duties would go to Barry Levinson, who was only directing his second feature film. Filming would take place at several baseball stadiums, including the now long-gone War Memorial Stadium in Buffalo, and the famed Wrigley Field in Chicago. Randy Newman would provide the score. 

 

On release, THE NATURAL earned good reviews and high praise from the athletic community. It would be nominated for four Oscars; Supporting Actress (Glenn Close), Cinematography, Art Direction, and Music (Randy Newman). Kim Basinger would be nominated for a Golden Globe. Barry Levinson would go on to direct acclaimed films such as GOOD MORNING, VIETNAM (1987), and the Best Picture-winning RAIN MAN (1988). 

 

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THE NATURAL was a family favorite in This Blogger’s household. It was a thrill seeing Hobbs literally knocking the cover off the ball and smashing up stadiums in electrifying swings. Even then, the climactic moment of Hobbs’ two-out, bottom-of-the-ninth home run to win the big game was regarded as a new classic moment in cinema. The scene, along with Randy Newman’s soaring music, would be parodied and used as a homage for decades to come. But underneath the slugging, there was an elemental human story at work; of a man who lost his best years and was doing all he could to make good on what he had left. It is a story of human resiliency that hits hard. Striking that balance between sports and human drama is vital to any sports film. In doing so, some films are a hit, but THE NATURAL is a grand slam. 

 

“The life we learn with and the life we live with after that.”