61* (2001)

80% of critics liked it
(15 reviews)
85% of users liked it
(15,034 ratings)

Noted baseball fan Billy Crystal directed this made-for-cable drama set in the summer of 1961, as two of the strongest hitters in the major leagues, Mickey Mantle (Thomas Jane) and Roger Maris (Barry Pepper), find themselves neck and neck in a battle to break Babe Ruth's long-standing record for… More Noted baseball fan Billy Crystal directed this made-for-cable drama set in the summer of 1961, as two of the strongest hitters in the major leagues, Mickey Mantle (Thomas Jane) and Roger Maris (Barry Pepper), find themselves neck and neck in a battle to break Babe Ruth's long-standing record for most home runs in a season. Both men were playing for the New York Yankees at the time, and as the two men came within grasping distance of Ruth's record, their loyalty as friends and teammates was put to the ultimate test. 61 also features Richard Masur, Bruce McGill, Anthony Michael Hall, and Renee Taylor; the scenes set in Yankee Stadium were filmed at Michigan's Tiger Stadium, shortly after the Detroit Tigers shuttered the venerable playing field and relocated to a newer facility. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 2 hr. 10 min.
Directed By: Billy Crystal
Written By: Hank Steinberg
Genres: Drama, Television

In Theaters: Apr 28, 2001 Wide
On DVD: Sep 11, 2001

Critic Reviews

Bob Bloom, Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)
A great baseball movie solidly directed by Billy Crystal. You can tell he's a Yankee fan, but also does not hesitate from showing the warts on some of his idols.
Clint Morris, Moviehole
One of the best telemovies I've ever seen...simply sensational
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...[features] two superb performances.
James Rocchi, Netflix
Baseball drama from director Billy Crystal has the graceful arc of a well-hit ball.
Jon Niccum, Lawrence Journal-World
A superior baseball movie
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
Unexpectedly touching (and extremely well-acted) portrait of two baseball legends.
John A. Nesbit, Old School Reviews
This film will play much better to die hard baseball fans than it will to non-devotees

Read all 7 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Lenny M

Quality HBO film, great acting and screenplay. Only movie I've seen where Barry Pepper has a lead role, he's solid as balls.
Alice S

What a wonderful movie! I was all "Awwww!" and "Noooo!" and "Yaaaay!" Full of exciting sports, devastating injuries, and heartwarming camaraderie. Barry Pepper is hella sexy. I love the scene the night before the 61st, during which Maris talks to his… More
What a wonderful movie! I was all "Awwww!" and "Noooo!" and "Yaaaay!" Full of exciting sports, devastating injuries, and heartwarming camaraderie. Barry Pepper is hella sexy. I love the scene the night before the 61st, during which Maris talks to his wife in bed and gives her the the softest, most tender kiss. Waaaaah!
Jose Z

Great movie, , its a film with a very emotive momentum, its funny when it needs to be, and the best of all is that its a true story. Maybe one of greatest sports movies ever. No matter if tour're a baseball fan or not, this film will entertain you till the end of it. Barry Pepper… More
Great movie, , its a film with a very emotive momentum, its funny when it needs to be, and the best of all is that its a true story. Maybe one of greatest sports movies ever. No matter if tour're a baseball fan or not, this film will entertain you till the end of it. Barry Pepper and Thomas Jane give us a very solid and convinceable performance as Maris and Mantle. Billy Crystal's way of directing makes you feel life if you were livng each moment of the movie, good for him.
Leo L

A great film!
Jared H

One of my favorite baseball movies. Roger Maris still holds the record in my heart... F Bonds and McGwire! Cheaters!
Wu C

Great sports movie.

Read all 6 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Barry Pepper as Roger Maris

            Thomas Jane as Mickey Mantle

            Anthony Michael Hall as Whitey Ford

            Richard Masur as Milt Kahn

            Bruce McGill as Houk Ralph

            Christopher McDonald as Mel Allen

            Jennifer Foley as Pat Maris (1961)

            Renée Taylor as Claire Ruth

            Bob Gunton as Dan Topping

            Donald Moffat as Ford Frick

            Christopher Bauer as Bob Cerv

            Pat Crowley as Pat Maris ('98)

            Joe Grifasi as Phil Rizzuto

            Paul Borghese as Yogi Berra

            Bobby Hosea as Elston Howard

            Peter Jacobson as Artie Green

            Seymour Cassel as Sam Simon

            Robert Joy
            
            Michael Nouri
            
            Domenick Lombardozzi
            
            Rebecca Klinger
            
            Robert Costanzo
            
            Christopher George Marquette
            
            Conor O'Farrell
            
            Jimmy Intveld
            
            Connor Trinneer as Writer #2
See full cast

61* (2001)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Lenny M

Alice S

Jose Z

Leo L

Jared H

Wu C

Cast