Pastime Reviews

• The best baseball film you've never seen..

  
  By A27RJ30RN5K9MX on 2004-03-02
  Pastime focuses on two minor league pitchers in the 1950's. The first is an older pitcher named Roy Dean (William Russ). Roy had a "cup of coffee" in the major leagues when he was younger, but was sent back down to the minors shortly after. Years later, he is still playing in the minors and refuses to accept the fact that it is time for him to retire. Roy is told by the team's manager Clyde Bigby (Noble Willingham)that the team owner Peter LaPorte ( Jefferey Tambor)is getting ready to release him. Shortly after, an up and coming African American pitcher named Tyrone( Glen Plummer)joins the team. Tyrone has got a major league arm, but is extremely shy and unsure of himself because he is a 17 year old black kid. Roy sees potential in Tyrone, and takes him under his wing to teach him about the finer points of the game, and more importantly, the finer points of life.

  Pastime is perhaps one of the greatest baseball films ever made. It is a shame that no one really knows about it. The film is extremely realistic when it comes to the minor league atmosphere of the 1950's. William Russ and Glen Plummer both do an amazing job in their roles. Pastime also happens to be one of the best "buddy" films I have ever seen because of the relationship that develops between the two. It is very touching to see Roy pass on all his knowledge to Tyrone to help him get to the majors. The reason the film is inspiring, is because both Roy and Tyrone are underdogs. Everyone sees Roy as a pitcher past his prime, and no one takes him seriously. No one on the team respects Tyrone because he is a black man. Watching the two of them face the odds together is amazing. The ending to this film is extremely emotional and definately a tear jerker. It was also extremely satisfying.

  Overall, Pastime is one of the best baseball films I have ever seen. William Russ and Glen Plummer offer outstanding performances, and the film is very realistic with both the baseball action and the atmosphere of the 1950's. I highly recommend this film.

  A solid 5 stars...
  
  

• The best baseball movie ever made

  
  By A3G0758HFGZNGW on 1998-11-17
  ... and perhaps the best movie, period, is "Pastime," a perfect blend of character study and morality play, both a slice-of-life and larger-than-life view of minor-league ball in the late 1950s and a portrait of a protagonist worthy of anyone's admiration. The casting and acting (particularly of William Russ in the main role and Noble Willingham as the manager) are superb. All the other elements of the film - its reality, its values, its script (many choice and insightful lines), its cinematography, its music (particularly "Swing Low"), its attention to detail, its real-star cameos - engage both the mind and the heart. The only reason I can see why it has not received more notice is a lack of marketing and big-name stars. "Capra-esque" in the best sense, it puts to shame "Major League" and would-be mythic silliness as "The Natural." - Clay Eals
  
  

• Truly great baseball movie

  
  By A1NZUTT66P98S2 on 2002-02-10
  A fictional story that captures the essence of minor league baseball in a small town in the 1950's. William Russ (Roy Dean Bream) is great as an aging pitcher, whose dedication and love for the game contrasts with the flippant and immature attitudes of some of the younger players. Glenn Plummer (Tyrone Debray) portrays a 17 year old black pitcher making his start in the minors. Roy Dean becomes friend and mentor to Tyrone. Russ's character has a health condition that is kept secret, revealed in the end of this poignant story. The baseball action is realistic, rare in baseball movies.
  
  

• Not just another baseball movie...

  
  By on 1999-04-05
  Want to see a great baseball film, without major stars or sexist overtones and language? This movie has it all. The drive and passion of an "over the hill player" on his way out who befriends a young black player trying to enter the big leagues in the 1950's, is the focus of this film. Great dialogue, fantastic acting, and bring some Kleenex. Similiar to "Bang the Drum Slowly" in pace, this is a keeper for all baseball fans young and old
  
  

• Now, this is baseball!

  
  By on 1999-02-13
  Casting, detail to to the emotions and charm of the game, and the very heart of the minor league-the people that make the game.

  The kind of movie you don't mind seeing over and over. This movie depicts one player's love for the game, a coaches dedication to game and the abilities of his players, and also the reality of what the minor leagues were all about.

  I guess what impressed me the most what the script. The dialogue was appropriate, as was the content. A family movie.
  
  

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