Sports Cinema: the best of Hollywood's athletic heroes, losers, myths, and misfits (1)

    By Sportswriter Cao Jianjie

    BEIJING, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Sports Cinema: 100 Movies - the Best of Hollywood's Athletic Heroes, Losers, Myths, and Misfits, is an in-depth companion guide celebrating movies centered on sports-oriented stories, characters, events, or backdrops, complete with more than 200 black-and-white movie stills.

    As the title suggests, this book is meant to provoke argument: not every cineaste or sports fan will agree with Williams' top 10 picks (Slap Shot, Requiem for a Heavyweight, Breaking Away, Rocky, Olympia, Raging Bull, Chariot of Fire, This Sporting Life, Bull Durham and the Hustler). But the Xinhua sportswriter Cao Jianjie found Williams' top 10 list refreshingly intriguing and he recently sat down with the author.

    Q: Randy, why did you write the book?

    Randy Williams: five years ago I took a 1-2 punch losing my marriage and my job on the same day.

    Picking myself off the canvas and looking for some inspiration, I thought back to how movies impacted me, especially those involving sports.

    I rented Jim Thorpe All-American, Rocky, Hoosiers, and James Cagney in City for Conquest. They reminded me sports movies at their height can do what sport events in general can and that is to inspire.

    So before you know it I'm taking on two different challenges. I'm training to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro to raise money for a cancer charity and writing this book. I reached the summit of Kilimanjaroin 2003; getting this book just right for readers took a little longer. But they are two achievements I am quite proud of.

    Q: How do you explain this on-going century-old love affair between sports and movies?

    RW: My book reflects that for a long time now sports and movies are two core fabrics of pop culture. And when combined - Sports cinema presents a terrific microcosm for exploring the human condition. Universally understood, it's an easy backdrop to tell a story.

    Through the years I think they've served as a mirror of how we see ourselves and what we value, particularly the themes of redemption and the struggle of personal transformation as seen with Tom Cruise in "Jerry Maguire" and Paul Newman in "Somebody Up There Likes Me".

    Another popular theme is self-reliance, which is exhibited very well by Russell Crowe in "Cinderella Man".

    Sports cinema also make us laugh, cry, serve our sports fantasies, and give us heroes to look up to as well as explore life's dark side so they cover a full spectrum of issues and emotions.

    Q: How come we're so passionate about our favorites?

    RW: - Shaq or Wilt? Rocky or Raging Bull? Sugar Ray or Sugar Ray? Kevin Costner in "Bull Durham" or Kevin Costner in "Field of Dreams"?

    It's an extension of our competitive nature in sports in general combined with the powerful emotions talented filmmakers can create up on the silver screen.

    Besides, people simply like rankings. Local papers rank the best theater in town or best restaurant. People have their own opinions and a book like Sports Cinema allows the reader to compare their ideas to someone who researched the films and talked with the stars, directors, and writers who made them.

    But what the magic really does is provide lasting evocative imagery of sports action, pageantry and humanity up on the silver screen, which makes a powerful personal connection. Like sports events themselves, sports movies even serve as reference points that can instantly conjure up feelings, sensations, and memories of days past. (for example Brian's Song, Rocky, Pride of the Yankees)

    Q: What makes a great sports movie and how did you arrive at the very best?

    RW: - Same thing that makes a Super Bowl or NBA champion - talent and teamwork. Starting with a solid game plan (script) the collaborative nature of cinema demands teamwork at all levels to have any chance. When I sat down to write this book, you realize just how much a collaborative effort movies are.

    So while the big-name stars draw in the crowd, what's going to give its best chance at ultimate success is that magical effort that can only come when a group of specialists - cinematographers, editors, composers, set designers, etc are all on the same page, one laid down by a talented screenwriter and orchestrated by the head coach (director). In other words, teamwork.

    I think one common thread is that the smartest filmmakers know that the most important race presented in any sports movie is the human race. They put character above winning.

    They do convey how sport is often a reflection of the human experience with striving, struggling, the joy of achievement and the despair of loss, both on an individual and group level. They do present the lighter and darker sides of living.

    They do know that what's interesting is what you don't see, the drama between the plays, not the plays themselves, not the big game.

    Consideration for fresh perspectives on a well-worn subject, its larger look at life, technical innovations, pure entertainment value, verisimilitude, originality, revealing insight and perspectives via sporting characterizations, and historical importance cinematically were the key determining factors taken into account in the hundreds of hours I spent viewing them.

    The nature of the subject (Sports) demands a competitive way to assemble the best but regardless of their rankings, the fact that these pictures make the list out of thousands of candidates makes them notable. Each stands alone. And even though I've ranked them, the point to make is that if you're exploring the best of the genre here is where you should start.

    Q: Why are they so difficult to make?

    RW: Because its available 24/7, most people that follow sports likely considers himself an expert and in the film world that is unusual because when you watch a movie most of the time you're learning something but with a sports picture an audience is hypercritical because they enter with a keen eye and advanced knowledge.

    So even though the better movies focus on character and story development off the field, it's simply a fact of modern filmmaking that if the sports action is not authentic you're going to lose the audience.

    Q: Like the sports world, we're drawn to the superstars in movies, how has sports cinema fared in attracting top actors?

    RW: Athletes want to be actors and actors want to be athletes. Because of the innate drama and character-rich aspects inherent in sports, the genre has drawn many leading performers. Stars like Buster Keaton, James Cagney, Robert DeNiro, Denzel Washington, and Russell Crowe have embraced sports films.

    Q: Which actors had sporting success before entering show business?

    RW: You'll see plenty in my book, including Robert Redford who earned a baseball scholarship to Colorado. Burt Lancaster was a fine trapeze artist and Kirk Douglas was a collegiate wrestling champion. Of course Burt Reynolds played football at Florida State as did Tommy Lee Jones at Harvard. Kurt Russell and Ron Shelton played professional baseball to name a few.

    Q: Who have been the most believable actors as athletes?

    RW: Certainly DeNiro in "Raging Bull" would be on most people's list as would Kevin Costner in "Bull Durham". I would like to cast a vote for Billy Crud up as runner Steve Prefontaine in "Without Limits". Certainly Will Smith as Ali and Errol Flynn as Jim Corbett are convincing boxers. Russell Crowe as a gladiator. Burt Reynolds in "The Longest Yard". In a comparatively minor role, I'd like to add DB Sweeney as baseball star Shoeless Joe Jackson from "Eight Men Out" as well.

    Q: Who have been the least convincing?

    RW: Baseball seems to elude a few. Consensus would probably place Gary Cooper, Anthony Perkins and William Bendix in that category.

    Q: In researching your book, what area of sports has Hollywood captured well but have not been given enough credit for?

    RW: Coaching. I think some of the best performances have come in the coaching ranks. Kurt Russell (Miracle), Pat O'Brien (Knute Rockne All-American), Gene Hackman (Hoosiers/Downhill Racer), Clint Eastwood (Million Dollar Baby). Charles Bickford (Jim Thorpe All-American) Burgess Meredith (Rocky), Nick Nolte(Blue Chips), Jack Warden(Brian's Song)..Denzel Washington in Remember the Titans and Billy Bob Thornton with Friday Night Lights.

    Q: Aren't sports movies just a man's world?

    RW: On the contrary when it comes to the industry's highest honor, the Academy Awards for example, women have been the first and last word. Frances Marion won the very first sports movie Oscar for writing "The Champ" in 1931 and recently Hilary Swank won Best Actress for "Million Dollar Baby."

    Katherine Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, Geena Davis, and Susan Sarandon have given fine performances in sports movies. One of the funniest movies ever, "Slap Shot", was written by a woman (Nancy Dowd). Martin Scorsese's editor, Thelma Schoonmaker won an Oscar for her cutwork on "Raging Bull".

    And with recent efforts like Wimbledon, Blue Crush, and Bend It Like Beckham, I believe you're going to see more and more women in front and behind the camera in sports films.

    Q: How difficult was it to write this book?

    RW: To paraphrase the great sportswriter Red Smith, "Writing's not that hard, just pull up to a typewriter, extend your arms and open a vein." Really. Passion was my motivation here. And just talking to folks at book signings and via email it's easy to see that passion is shared by many.

    I talked to a guy who bought the book and he told me read it, loved it and went out and rented some classics that he'd never seen including The Hustler and This Sporting Life. That made me feel good.

    Q: Who were the most interesting people you interviewed for the book?

    RW: In front and behind the camera, again it is interesting to see the passions when you talk about sports movies.

    Kirk Douglas was so committed to realism in "Champion" that during one fight scene he actually got knocked out. Billy Crystal told me "61*" was the most personal movie he's ever done. Spike Lee has intense feelings about good and bad flicks because he's such a sports fan. I have great expectations for his Schmeling /Louis feature. There are many others that contributed to the spirit of the book.

    Q: What is the worst sports movie?

    RW: Hard to say, but I will state you're usually courting trouble when you go for sequels and remakes. I mean how many "Godfather II"s are out there in any genre?

    There are a few exceptions though; Scorsese's update of Eddie Felson in "The Color of Money", Tyrone Power's remake of Rudolf Valentino's "Blood and Sand" and remaking "Here Comes Mr. Jordan" as "Heaven Can Wait" are all brilliant.

    Q: What are your guilty pleasure movies, ones you're somewhat embarrassed to say you enjoy?

    RW: Kingpin

    Enter the Dragon

    They show up on tv, I cant resist. I'll drop what I'm doing and watch them again and again.

    Q: What sports story would you like to see as a movie?

    RW: Of public figures I think tennis great Arthur Ashe would be fascinating. The brutal origins of football as it emerged from the rugby world would be interesting as would various aspects from the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City.

    Q: What sports movie would you take a non-sports fan to?

    RW: "Breaking Away", a universal story of social class and growing up.

    Q: What sports movie would you take a sports fanatic to?

    RW: "Slap Shot" but if that was sold out I'd slip on over to "Bull Durham". Funny inside stuff.

    Q: Best Documentary?

    RW:

    -Olympia

    -Tokyo Olympiad

    -When We Were Kings

    -Hoop Dreams

    Q: Best athletes in their own sport on the silver screen?

    RW: Gary Stevens- Seabiscuit, Ray Allen-He Got Game, John Matuszak-North Dallas Forty

    Q: Athletes as Actors outside of sports?

    RW: Paul Robeson, Mark Harmon, Jim Brown, Alex Karras, Fred Dryer, Merlin Olsen, Sonja Henie, Johnny Weismuller, Fred Williamson, Chuck Connors...

    Q: Hasn't using the climactic "Last Second Hero of the Big Game" been done to death?

    RW: You're right, it's been overdone but that is also a misnomer because if you think about it, some of the very best movies I cover in my book do not depend on "The Big Game" to be successful - Raging Bull, He Got Game, Bull Durham, Brian's Song, Jerry Maguire, Field of Dreams, Everybody's All-American, Jim Thorpe All-American, Fat City...

    Q: Most Overrated Movie-

    RW: Karate Kid. Though his performance alone is worth the price of admission, there's not a lot beyond Mr. Miyagi. (Elizabeth Shue certainly an attractive element)

    Q: Most Underrated Movie-

    RW: "Mr. Baseball". For those that have experienced baseball in Japan like myself it is such a good job by Selleck and mates.

    Q: In your book, superstars like Sylvester Stallone and NFL quarterback Donovan McNabb reveal their favorite sports movies and how they impacted them, as the author what are your Starting Five?

    RW: No doubt one of the hardest aspects of the book because like brilliant artwork, outstanding movies are full of nuances that instill new impressions with each viewing.

    Here's my starting five today:

    Requiem for a Heavyweight

    Jim Thorpe All American

    Heaven Can Wait

    Chariots of Fire

    Bull Durham

    Q: Who do you see as the primary audience for this book?

    RW: It is a book, an in-depth companion guide, for film buffs, sports fans, and families that like to see movies together. There is something for everyone as it is representative of the very best from sports cinema's origins to today covering a wide range of compelling stories and issues.