Rollerball (1975)

68% of critics liked it
(25 reviews)
60% of users liked it
(11,591 ratings)

In the year 2018 violence has been outlawed and corporations have replaced government as the ruling party following the demise of politics. With the absence of war or conflict, a forcibly passive population's bloodlust is satisfied by a brutal new sport known as Rollerball. A high-octane melding of… More In the year 2018 violence has been outlawed and corporations have replaced government as the ruling party following the demise of politics. With the absence of war or conflict, a forcibly passive population's bloodlust is satisfied by a brutal new sport known as Rollerball. A high-octane melding of the outlawed sports of the past, the worldwide phenomenon of Rollerball has resulted in a corporate-backed sensation. The most popular athlete in the world, Jonathan E. (James Caan) has steadily risen through the ranks to become a legendary veteran of the sport. When the corporate backers of Rollerball begin to fear that Jonathan's popularity has instilled him with a potentially dangerous amount of power, a thunderous struggle between man's free will and the oppression of the masses threatens to shatter the fragile strings that the puppet masters use to manipulate mankind. His determination to remain with the sport flying in the face of the very reason Rollerball was conceived, the corporate rulers hatch a plot to abandon the rules in hopes that Jonathan will be killed and their grip of power will remain an unyielding chokehold on an increasingly bloodthirsty populace. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 2 hr. 9 min.
Directed By: Norman Jewison
Written By: William Harrison
Genres: Action & Adventure, Science Fiction & Fantasy

In Theaters: Jun 25, 1975 Wide
On DVD: Jun 19, 2001
Studio: MGM Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Jay Cocks, TIME Magazine
James Caan, on roller skates, is trying to save the world. This needs a bit of explaining, which is only the beginning of the trouble with Rollerball.
Variety Staff, Variety
Norman Jewison's sensational futuristic drama about a world of Corporate States stars James Caan in an excellent performance as a famed athlete who fights for his identity and free will.
Don Druker, Chicago Reader
Lifeless, uninspired, and crammed with enough hints of intellectual consistency to give the socially conscious critical establishment shivers of excitement.
Vincent Canby, New York Times
Everyone else, including Mr. Caan and John Houseman, who plays a leading Houston executive, is more solemn and serious than the movie ever merits.
, Film4
Inside the arena, it's a fantastic action movie, but outside, it's starchy and pretentious.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Seems to being going around in circles trying to say something but is not sure about what it wants to say, as it keeps stumbling around every bend.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
The performances of Caan and Richardson are excellent, and the rollerball sequences are fast-paced and interesting.
JoBlo, JoBlo's Movie Emporium
This original version could EASILY have been trimmed down quite some with plenty of repetitive moments popping up throughout the film.
Geoff Andrew, Time Out
Ultimately, Rollerball gets by on its sheer monolithic quality - an abundance of quantity. Despite indifferent direction and dire humour, it is well mounted and photographed.
Brad Laidman, Film Threat
It seems pretty prescient about violence, corporations, and TV.
Dragan Antulov, rec.arts.movies.reviews
One of the most powerful science fiction films ever made.

Read all 11 critic reviews

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

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Featured Audience Ratings

Melvin W

Bartholomew: The game was created to demonstrate the futility of individual effort. "In the future there will be no war. There will only be Rollerball." Rollerball is an interesting, if dull dystopian tale. I'm in between with my feelings on the film. On one hand, it… More
Bartholomew: The game was created to demonstrate the futility of individual effort. "In the future there will be no war. There will only be Rollerball." Rollerball is an interesting, if dull dystopian tale. I'm in between with my feelings on the film. On one hand, it has some spectacular ideas, but on the other hand, they weren't used to their full potential. These type of dystopian films normally sound amazing on paper, but once I actually start to watch them, I lose interest pretty quick. Most of them are so bland, and other than the violent game scenes; Rollerball is a pretty bland movie. Corporations have taken over the world and it is now the year 2018. Violence is outlawed and there is no more war. But people have to have their fill of violence, so a new game is invented called Rollerball. The best player in the world is Jonathan, and his popularity is sky-high. He's a veteran of the game, as he has been playing for 10 years. The corporate backers don't like how popular Jonathan is getting and try to nudge him out of the league. He fights back and refuses to stop playing. James Caan delivers a stellar performance as Jonathan and makes the movie a bit more watchable. I liked the game sequences, but other than that there just wasn't that much here to like. It had the possibilities and potential of being one of the better movies of this genre. It just never all came together. Good try, I guess.
Jeff "

Rollerball is a thrilling exciting take on the Dystopian stories. The film takes place in the future, and crime has been eliminated and huge corporations decide the rules These corporations sponsor a violent bloody sport by the name of Rollerball. James Caan plays Rollerball's… More
Rollerball is a thrilling exciting take on the Dystopian stories. The film takes place in the future, and crime has been eliminated and huge corporations decide the rules These corporations sponsor a violent bloody sport by the name of Rollerball. James Caan plays Rollerball's best player, Jonathan E. Through the games he gaining power and popularity. Corporations set new rules for him, but Johnny E. won't have it. Rollerball is one of the best Dystopian themed stories that I have seen since reading George Orwell's 1984. The film is a near flawless film that takes the Dystopian society theme to new, unexplored concepts. The fact that the world's rules are conceived by a sport is an interesting and thrilling idea. The acting is terrific and the story is highly engaging. The scenes of the Rollerball sport itself are highly intense and awesome to see. The scenes are action packed and are sure to entertain you. The Rollerball scenes are of course the highlight of the film and for me were the best parts of the film. James Caan gives a great performance as Jonathan E. I personally thought of all the James Caan films that I have seen, Rollerball is one of his best. Rollerball is directed with style and flair by talented director Norman Jewison and he crafts a solid vision of a broken down Dystopian society where the corporations control everything. Rollerball is an accomplished Sci Fi action film that makes you wonder if George Orwell and Aldous Huxley would approve. A very well crafted film with plenty of action to deliver and above all, a highly interesting story to boot. Orwell would most likely be proud.
AJ V

A futuristic world where corporations rule the world! (sounds like today, doesn't it?) I really liked this movie, it's exciting and entertaining.
Cassandra M

The premise to Rollerball is good: set in the near future, war and hatred have been defeated, and all violence is channeled onto a corporation run ball game. The problem is it takes an hour before any real action starts, the writers being too interested in Caan's personal… More
The premise to Rollerball is good: set in the near future, war and hatred have been defeated, and all violence is channeled onto a corporation run ball game. The problem is it takes an hour before any real action starts, the writers being too interested in Caan's personal conflicts and the corporations desire to see him retire (otherwise it might mean the end of the game as they know it). The most effective scene in this first hour is a group of upper-class revellers (who you wouldn't normally associate with violence) having just seen one of the games, start blowing up fir trees in a fit of drunken bloodlust. It's quite a dark film in a Pre-Robocop kind of way, and similarly entertaining (the fast paced, well staged rollerball sequences were interesting, and reminded me of Solarbabies and Mad Max, but they are few in number). More effort should have gone into the editing: there were a lot of pointless scenes, needless panning shots, and over use of baroque music. It will really test your patience, despite some brilliant acting. It's worth the wait in the end though: a deadly showdown in which the sport becomes all out war where only the strongest will survive.
Robert C

Worth watching for the cheesy 70's Vibe alone!. The set design and clothing is amazing! The message (while powerful) seemed to be a bit convoluted. Could have been much more powerful.
Michael S

Great premise; don't mistake it for the crude remake.
xGary X

Intelligent 70s sci-fi starring James Caan as the star player in a gladiatorial future sport. The brutal game scenes will keep action junkies happy, and he political subtext involving freedom of choice and individuality will entertain those intersted in the more cerebral. A memorable… More
Intelligent 70s sci-fi starring James Caan as the star player in a gladiatorial future sport. The brutal game scenes will keep action junkies happy, and he political subtext involving freedom of choice and individuality will entertain those intersted in the more cerebral. A memorable cameo by Ralph Richardson too.
Dean M

Terrifc excitement! The 'sport' is the futuristic gladiators clash.
Marcus W

In a future where EVERYTHING is run by corporations, the world is at peace and all violence is kept to the game of Rollerball. And here we meet Caan, the "David Beckham" of the game. When he's "advised" to retire he grows tired of being told who to marry,… More
In a future where EVERYTHING is run by corporations, the world is at peace and all violence is kept to the game of Rollerball. And here we meet Caan, the "David Beckham" of the game. When he's "advised" to retire he grows tired of being told who to marry, where to live, and what to eat, and rebels against the system. It's a great film. Lots of depth and even some action chucked in. It's problem is that in the last third it becomes a bit too contemplative and slows down before the thrilling final match. Still worth a watch though.
Lauren D

I hate sport movies, but I lovez dystopian-y future movies. But I was sooo bored. I was looking forward to it, but nothing seemed to happen.
Sean S

Well the goal of eliminating violence from society seems a little far off, but sports are getting more and more violent and the extreme sports do allow us to watch people self destruct. Perhaps my favourite "sports" movie.