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.
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.