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Brian's Song is the 2001 American remake of the 1971 television film Brian's Song, telling the story of Brian Piccolo (Sean Maher), a white running back who meets, clashes with and befriends fellow Chicago Bears running back Gale Sayers (Mekhi Phifer). The movie was adapted from Sayers' own words in his 1970 autobiography, I Am Third. The television movie, produced by Columbia TriStar Television, was first broadcast in the United States on The Wonderful World of Disney on ABC on December 2, 2001.
| Brian's Song | |
|---|---|
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| Genre | Drama, Sport |
| Based on | I Am Third by Gale Sayers Al Silverman |
| Written by | Allen Clare John Gray |
| Story by | William Blinn |
| Directed by | John Gray |
| Starring | Sean Maher Mekhi Phifer Paula Cale Elise Neal Aidan Devine Dean McDermott Ben Gazzara |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Running time | 90 minutes |
| Production companies | Storyline Entertainment Columbia TriStar Television |
| Original release | |
| Network | ABC |
| Release | December 2, 2001 |
In the movie, Piccolo is a brash rookie with the Bears. Initially thinking Sayers is arrogant – when he is only quiet and a slight bit anti-social – they rub each other the wrong way from the moment they meet. The movie, taking place from 1965 to 1970, as the civil rights movement grows, places great emphasis on integration, bringing up the conflict of when Brian and Gale room together for their first football season.
Plot
editBrian Piccolo and Gale Sayers aren't friends in the beginning; in fact they are rivals. Brian, during their first season together with pro football's Chicago Bears, is always one-upped by Gale, never being in the spotlight. After the season, Brian pledges to outplay Gale and take his position on the team.
During their second season, Gale is still the Bears' starting running back. After he is injured during a game and loses hope of ever playing again, Brian personally takes charge of his rehabilitation, on the basis that if Gale gives up, and Brian rises to the top, he would have made it only on a chance and not by his own prowess. The two bond during this time, soon becoming good friends and roommates.
Brian is diagnosed with cancer. The treatments and radiation therapy only do so much, and every time it seems as if everything is getting better, the cancer shows up again, someplace else. Brian dies from the disease at age 26. During this time, Gale stays by his side.
Cast
edit- Sean Maher as Brian Piccolo
- Mekhi Phifer as Gale Sayers
- Paula Cale as Joy Piccolo
- Elise Neal as Linda Sayers
- Aidan Devine as Abe Gibron
- Dean McDermott as Ralph Kurek
- Ben Gazzara as Coach George Halas
- Michael Boisvert as Jack Concannon
- Jeff Ironi as Dick Butkus
- Shane Daly as Bill Filbert
- Bruce Gooch as Ed McCaskey
- Craig Eldrige as Dr. Beattie
- Michael Miller as Dr. Fox
- Shawn Lawrence as Dr. O'Conner
- Erika Cohen as Nurse
- Carly Marie Alves as Traci Piccolo (as Carley Marie Alves)
- Janessa Crimi as Lori Piccolo
- Patrick Salvagna as Brian Piccolo at 10
- Michael Birkett as Gale Sayers at 10
- Nigel Hamer as Master of Ceremonies
- James Arnold as Reporter #1
- Edgar George as Reporter #2
- Howard Hoover as TV Sportscaster
- Gary Fruchtman as Toastmaster
- Andrea Garnett as Gale's Mother
- Marvin Hinz as Brian's Father
- Tony Meyler as Gale's Father
See also
editExternal links
edit- Brian's Song at IMDb
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