Friends to the death
Friends until death (OT: Brian's Song ) is an award winning American Football -Fernsehdrama of Buzz Kulik from the year 1971 . It tells the authentic story of two Chicago Bears players in the National Football League , Brian Piccolo and Gale Sayers , who become friends under unusual circumstances and stand together until Piccolo's untimely, tragic death.
action
In 1968, Bears coach George Halas decided to break the racial segregation that was common at the time between white and black players. So the fun-loving, white newcomer Brian Piccolo and the introverted, black star Gale Sayers end up in the same room - who are also competitors in the same field position ( running back ). Despite the sporting rivalry, different skin colors and opposing personalities, the two players become friends, and Piccolo plays himself as Sayers' pre-blocker (fullback) in the Bears team. Sayers suffers a serious knee injury that threatens to end his career. Piccolo moves up to the running back position, has a great season and helps Sayers through his long, painful rehabilitation. When Sayers celebrates a successful comeback after a year break, he is said to be honored by the NFL with the Most Courageous Player Award . Piccolo suddenly had severe breathing problems and when he went to the doctor he found an incurable cancerous tumor in his lungs . Piccolo's left lung and part of his leg have to be amputated, but never loses his will to live, which Sayers deeply impresses. When his friend is dying, Sayers receives the NFL's Most Courageous Player Award , but dedicates the award to Piccolo and in a moving speech asks “to pray for Brian Piccolo because I love him and I hope God will him too loves ".
background
The screenplay is based on the biography I Am Third (1970) by Sayers, et al. a. which addresses his friendship with Piccolo. The speech at the Most Courageous Player Award given by Sayers actor Billy Dee Williams at the end of the film corresponds to the real speech Sayers received when he received the award. Piccolo's early death, but even more his will to live in the face of fate, has become part of the Bears folklore: although he only made 51 games for the Bears, they withdrew his number 41 for good.
It is noteworthy that the Bears players and coaches who were seen in the training scenes played themselves. a. the Pro Football Hall of Fame - linebacker Dick Butkus , quarterback Jack Concannon and defensive end Ed O'Bradovich and co- trainer Abe Gibron . Sports commentator Stu Nahan also has a cameo.
The film was remade in 2001 with Sean Maher as Brian Piccolo and Mekhi Phifer as Gale Sayers under the title Brian's Song .
criticism
The film service called Friends to the Death a "sentimental story of a football star who dies of cancer, but who can help a colleague through an accident at work beforehand."
Film music
The music for the film is by Michel Legrand , the lyrics by Marilyn and Alan Bergman . The main theme quickly became a popular music classic under the title Brian's Song or The Hands of Time , which has been interpreted by countless singers, instrumentalists and orchestras. Legrand's instrumental version of the theme song was on the charts for eight weeks in 1972, peaking at # 56 on the Billboard Hot 100 . It also won the Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Composition .
Awards (selection)
- 1972: Emmy Award : Best Director (Buzz Kulik); Best TV Movie; Best Supporting Actor (Jack Warden); Best drama
- 1972: Golden Globe nomination : Best Miniseries or TV Movie
- 1972: DGA Award, Category: Best Director
- 1972: American Cinema Editors' Eddie nomination for Best Edited TV Show
Web links
- Friends to death in the Internet Movie Database (English)
Individual evidence
- ↑ Friends to the death. In: Lexicon of International Films . Film service , accessed March 2, 2017 .
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2000). "Top Pop Singles 1955-1999". Record Research (Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin). P. 371. ISBN 0-89820-139-X
- ^ Grammy Award Nominees 1973 - Grammy Award Winners 1973 . Retrieved August 11, 2019.