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Brian's Song

  • TV Movie
  • 1971
  • G
  • 1h 13m
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
9.7K
YOUR RATING
James Caan, Shelley Fabares, and Billy Dee Williams in Brian's Song (1971)
Based on the real-life relationship between teammates Brian Piccolo and Gale Sayers and the bond established when Piccolo discovers that he is dying.
Play trailer2:38
1 Video
32 Photos
FootballBiographyDramaSport

Buzz Kulik's beloved tearjerker is based on the real-life friendship between Chicago Bears teammates Brian Piccolo and Gale Sayers and the bond that was strengthened when Piccolo discovers t... Read allBuzz Kulik's beloved tearjerker is based on the real-life friendship between Chicago Bears teammates Brian Piccolo and Gale Sayers and the bond that was strengthened when Piccolo discovers that he has a fatal disease.Buzz Kulik's beloved tearjerker is based on the real-life friendship between Chicago Bears teammates Brian Piccolo and Gale Sayers and the bond that was strengthened when Piccolo discovers that he has a fatal disease.

  • Director
    • Buzz Kulik
  • Writers
    • William Blinn
    • Gale Sayers
    • Al Silverman
  • Stars
    • James Caan
    • Billy Dee Williams
    • Jack Warden
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    7.5/10
    9.7K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Buzz Kulik
    • Writers
      • William Blinn
      • Gale Sayers
      • Al Silverman
    • Stars
      • James Caan
      • Billy Dee Williams
      • Jack Warden
    • 79User reviews
    • 25Critic reviews
    • 62Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Won 5 Primetime Emmys
      • 11 wins & 8 nominations total

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:38
    Official Trailer

    Photos32

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    + 24
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    Top Cast27

    James Caan
    James Caan
    • Brian Piccolo
    Billy Dee Williams
    Billy Dee Williams
    • Gale Sayers
    Jack Warden
    Jack Warden
    • Coach Halas
    Bernie Casey
    Bernie Casey
    • J.C. Caroline
    Shelley Fabares
    Shelley Fabares
    • Joy Piccolo
    David Huddleston
    David Huddleston
    • Ed McCaskey
    Judy Pace
    Judy Pace
    • Linda Sayers
    Abe Gibron
    • Abe Gibron
    Jack Concannon
    • Jack Concannon
    Ed O'Bradovich
    • Ed O'Bradovich
    Chicago Bears
    Chicago Bears
    • Chicago Bears Players, Coaches and Staff
    • (as The Chicago Bears Players Coaches and Staff)
    Harold 'Happy' Hairston
    Harold 'Happy' Hairston
    • Veteran Player 1
    • (as Happy Hairston)
    Ron Feinberg
    Ron Feinberg
    • Veteran Player 2
    Ji-Tu Cumbuka
    Ji-Tu Cumbuka
    • Roommate
    Jim Boeke
    Jim Boeke
    • Veteran Player 3
    Larry Delaney
    • Dr. Fox
    Stephen Coit
    Stephen Coit
    • Mr. Eberle
    Doreen Lang
    Doreen Lang
    • Nurse 1
    • Director
      • Buzz Kulik
    • Writers
      • William Blinn
      • Gale Sayers
      • Al Silverman
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews79

    7.59.6K
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    Summary

    Reviewers say 'Brian's Song' Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Curabitur pretium tincidunt lacus.

    Nulla facilisi etiam dignissim diam quis enim lobortis scelerisque
    Lorem ipsum dolorSit amet consecteturAdipiscing elitSed do eiusmodTempor incididuntUt labore et doloreMagna aliquaUt enim ad minimVeniam quisNostrud exercitation
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    Related interests

    Denzel Washington in Remember the Titans (2000)
    Football
    Ben Kingsley, Rohini Hattangadi, and Geraldine James in Gandhi (1982)
    Biography
    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
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    Sport

    Storyline

    Did you know

    • Trivia
      James Caan initially turned down the role of Brian Piccolo, preferring to focus on his film career, but he liked the script so much that he eventually relented.
    • Goofs
      When the coaches ask Sayers to room with Piccolo in 1965, they warn that people in cities like Atlanta, New Orleans, Houston, and Miami won't take well to integrated roommates. Atlanta didn't join the NFL until 1966, New Orleans 1967, and Houston and Miami until the AFL/NFL merger in 1970. Miami wasn't even in the AFL until 1966.
    • Quotes
      • Gale Sayers: [accepting the George S. Halas award] I'd like to say a few words about a guy I know, a friend of mine. His name is Brian Piccolo. And he has the heart of a giant, and that rare form of courage which allows him to kid himself and his opponent: cancer. He has a mental attitude which makes me proud to have a friend who spells out 'courage' - 24 hours a day, every day of his life. Now, you flatter me - by giving me this award. But I say to you here now - Brian Piccolo is the man of courage who should receive the George S. Halas award. It is mine tonight - and Brian Piccolo's tomorrow. I love Brian Piccolo. And I'd like all of you to love him too. And tonight, hit your knees, please ask God to love him.
    • Connections
      Featured in The 24th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (1972)
    • Soundtracks
      Brian's Song Theme
      (uncredited)
      Written by Michel Legrand
      Performed by Michel Legrand and his Orchestra

    Top picks

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    Details

    • Release date
      • November 30, 1971 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Freunde bis in den Tod
    • Filming locations
      • St. Joseph's College - U.S. Highway 231, Rensselaer, Wheatfield, Indiana, USA(training camp scenes)
    • Production company
      • Screen Gems Television
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    • Runtime
      • 1h 13m(73 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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