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Storyline
In a futuristic society where corporations have replaced countries, the violent game of Rollerball is used to control the populace by demonstrating the futility of individuality. However, one player, Jonathan E., rises to the top, fights for his personal freedom, and threatens the corporate control. Written by
Jeff Hansen <jmh@umich.edu>
Plot Summary
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Plot Synopsis
Taglines:
The next World War will not be fought. It will be PLAYED.
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Did You Know?
Trivia
Outside shots of the Energy Corporation building are actually of the corporate headquarters of car maker BMW in Munich. Outside shots of the bowl-shaped library building are of the old BMW museum. It is located only a few steps to the left of the headquarters' entrance.
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Goofs
At the beginning of the match with New York, after in many moments of the movie different characters repeated there would have been "No time limit", the scoreboard shows the countdown (starting from 20.00 mins).
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Quotes
Crowd of spectators:
JON-A-THAN. JON-A-THAN. JON-A-THAN. JON-A-THAN. JON...
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Connections
Spoofed in
Robots (2005)
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Soundtracks
Adagio for Strings and Organ in G minor
(uncredited)
composed by
Tomaso Albinoni"
by
Tomaso Albinoni (as Albinoni) - Remo Giazotto (as Giazotto)
Published by G. Ricordi & Company (London) Limited on its own behalf and on behalf of G. Ricordi & C.s.p.a. of 2,
Via Berchet, 20121 Milan, Italy
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Coming out as it did right after the Vietnam War ended, it seems that "Rollerball" accurately reflected the sense of cynicism - inherent in the idea of dystopia - that had taken over the country. It portrays a corporate future in which the only entertainment is an ultra-violent sport called Rollerball. The thugs who have taken over are able to use this sport not only to control their players, but also to control the population. But one player, Jonathan E. (James Caan), is seeking to change all that...
Aside from looking at the use of violence for entertainment, "Rollerball" also employs some interesting camera angles (mainly in the zooms). Apparently, director Norman Jewison got part of the inspiration from "A Clockwork Orange"; you can certainly see it here. A great movie.