Pastime

Starring:Harmon Killebrew, David Precopia, Glenn Plummer, Don Newcombe, Sarah Zinsser, Troy Evans, Charles Tyner, Reed Rudy, John Achorn, Duke Snider, Brogan Roche, Craig Stark, Don Perry, Ernie Lee Banks, Jeffrey Tambor, Joey Banks, John Martin, Charles Fick, Mary Pat Gleason, Peter Murnik
Director: Robin B. Armstrong
Studio: Miramax
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

American Pastime views a dark slice of American history--the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II--affectingly through the prism of the all-American game of baseball. The film shines the light of hope through some of the bleakest moments in the lives of the relocated families, as baseball becomes a way to cope with the unmanageable. The stars, especially Masatoshi Nakamura, Judy Ongg, and Leonardo Nam, give hushed, affecting performances, allowing the story almost to unfold around them. Gary Cole (The West Wing) plays a minor-league player and guard at the internment camp Topaz, and pursues his own hopes of a major-league career against the near-nightmarish backdrop. Baseball has often been used as a metaphor in American film, but almost never as affectingly as in American Pastime. The DVD's making-of featurette, "Go for Broke: Behind American Pastime," is in some ways even more moving than the film, since it features interviews with real survivors of the internment camps, including Topaz and Manzanar. Also interviewed are several Japanese American soldiers from the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, who courageously fought for America in World War II even as their family members and friends were detained in the camps. Cole says in the featurette, "America really wanted to sweep [the internment camps] under the rug"--but thanks to the film and the documentary, the real history can be illuminated. --A.T. Hurley

Description

Powerful story about the dramatic impact WWII had in the home-front as Japanese American families were uprooted from their every day lives and placed into internment camps in Western US in the early 1940's. Faced with a country that now doubted their loyalty and struggling with their new situation, they turn to baseball as a way to handle their plight and find the strength to stand up for themselves becoming a true symbol of honor and pride.

Customer Reviews:

Opened Memories.......2007-06-30

Growing up, my father rarely talked of his internment camp experiences in Poston, AZ, so we knew very little. After taking him to see the showing of American Pastime, I was moved by how much he opened up and began sharing some of his feelings and memories. The movie is realistic, showing the barracks and living conditions of the internees, the family frustrations and their "shikata ga nai" attitude of making the best of a bad situation.

Do Baseball and Jazz really mix?.......2007-05-23

I guess that was my question when I first read the press release on this entertaining little film about life in the World War II Japanese "relocation camps" in Utah. Well, I can't really say they do but the film is still worth recommending, if only because it does a good job of telling the little covered story of life in these "camps", which herded everybody of Japanese decent (even a Blck Hawaiian!) into what were virtually upscale concentration camps. These people, many of who were born as American citizens were treated like foreigners because of the color of their skin and their heritage.

But back to the film. It revolves around one young man who was destined for college on a scholarship on "the day that will live in infamy" - December 7, 1941. We learn that he loved jazz and he shares is love by playing records for his friends and playing saxophone for himself. He also loves baseball, as - until the war - there were many Japanese baseball players.

In the camp he meets a local (non-Japanese) girl (the daughter of one of the town's bigots - an all too contrived plot device) and she plays piano. They meet through playing together. But just about then jazz - and music in general disappears completely from the screenplay! Now it's about baseball and the "big game" between the Japanese players and the bigoted "townies". I won't give more of the plot away except to say that I was disappointed to see the jazz thread not continue.

Because there are so few films about this period in time - "Come See The Paradise" is the only other one I know of - this is an important film to see. The "Making of" bonus feature (about 25 minutes long) repeats lots of the scenes but also - a bit too briefly - interviews survivors of these camps.).

Definitely worth at least a rental.

Steve Ramm
"Anything Phonographic"

Wonderful baseball film and history lesson.......2007-05-23

Great small budget movie. This movie proves that independent film making is an American Treasure. Accessible story for all ages. Great History lesson with Baseball, family values and a love story. What more could you ask for...do not miss this one!!!!!

Must see.......2007-03-19

Extraordinary movie about a period of US history that 70% of US adults do not know happened. Starring the guy who played Martin Sheen's vice president on West Wing... awesome movie.

Average customer rating:

Forgettable look at minor leagues in the 50's
The best baseball film you've never seen..
Truly great baseball movie
Not just another baseball movie...
Now, this is baseball!

Pastime
Starring: Harmon Killebrew , Charles Fick , David Precopia , Glenn Plummer , and Mary Pat Gleason
Director: Robin B. Armstrong
Manufacturer: Miramax
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Sports | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( P ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Bang The Drum Slowly
Talent For The Game
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61*
Fear Strikes Out

ASIN: B00008978L
Release Date: 2003-04-08

Amazon.com

You don't have to be a baseball lover to appreciate this funny, touching story of minor-league ball and major-league dreams. Pastime is the most realistic depiction of the nonglamour side of sports as played by the people who seem to love it the most. William Russ stars as an aging pitcher, now in his 40s, who only got to pitch once in the majors. Still hanging on in the minors in the late 1950s, he can't believe his career could be over. Ridiculed for his enthusiasm by his much-younger teammates, he befriends the team's outcast, a young black pitcher (Glenn Plummer) with a cannon for an arm, and imparts what wisdom he has to offer. A movie that will make you ask: Why isn't Russ a star? --Marshall Fine

Description

In 1957, baseball is at its peak as America's national pastime. For aging minor leaguer Roy Dean Bream (William Russ -- AMERICAN HISTORY X, DISORGANIZED CRIME), whose dreams of pitching in the Majors died long ago, the love of the game is all that keeps him showing up game after game, season after season. But when the team signs on rookie Tyrone Debray (Glenn Plummer -- STRANGE DAYS, UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL), a 17-year-old black youth from the wrong side of town, Bream sees someone with the potential to achieve what he never could! As an unlikely friendship develops across the boundaries of race and age, these two ballplayers will inspire each other to become more then they ever thought they could be! Also starring Deirdre O'Connell (DRAGONFLY, HEARTS IN ATLANTIS), PASTIME is a heartwarming crowd-pleaser you're sure to enjoy!

Customer Reviews:

Forgettable look at minor leagues in the 50's.......2007-01-05

As a baseball fan, I really looked forward to seeing this movie. I've followed minor league baseball teams since the 60's. Modesto California Reds, Kenosha Wisconsin Twins, Salt Lake City Utah Trappers, Gulls, Buzz and whatever they are called this year, Ogden Raptors, and dozens of others around the country. This movie advertises cameos from baseball greats like Killebrew and Feller. Unfortunately the cameos are meaningless.

But the plot of the movie is full of potential. An ageing pitcher, played well by William Russ, struggles to hang on to the great love of his life, baseball, for just a little longer. He even is trying to set the record for longest career, shades of Kevin Costner in Bull Durham trying to set the minor league home-run record. He pitched once in the major leagues to Stan Musial who hit a grand slam off of him. And that's the high point of the film. The rest is even more of a downer than that.

****Spoiler Alert***** He fails at the record, staying in baseball, and life in general. But that isn't the point of this movie. Indeed, the movie has no point. Just when you think it will say something about ageing gracefully, it switches to another plot. Then you think it will say something about racism as the major character makes friends with a new black pitcher shunned by the others. But this relationship doesn't really develop either. They hang out together a little bit, but that's about it. Then you think maybe the movie is really about how the new player is helped out and guided by the veteran, but other than a few inanities like "look people in the eyes when you talk to them", this plot line also fizzles.

William Russ carries this film to its uncertain end. He is superb in this role. But the script is so weak that there isn't much that can be done. There are so many directions this film could have gone, but it ended up being a pastiche of unfulfilled sub-plots.

The veteran pitcher is cut from the team eventually at a team party, goes back to the ball park, and dies on the mound from pitching too hard. Yea, I know, doesn't make sense to me either although apparently the veteran takes blood pressure pills.

Anyway, this film is very disappointing and seems incomplete. You may find William Russ's acting as the veteran is the only noteworthy part of this film. I'd say this movie strikes out after watching a few curve balls go by. I'm not sure what the other reviewers saw in this movie, but I sure won't watch it twice.

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

Truly great baseball movie.......2002-02-11

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..........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!.......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.

Description

The perfect gift for the golf fanatic in everyone's life, this 100-minute volume traces the heritage, courses and players of the greatest game. Featuring the world's best players, including Jack Nicklaus, Ben Hogan and Arnold Palmer.

Average customer rating:

Hoodwinked (Falconry)
Starring: n/a
Director: n/a
Manufacturer: Pastime Videos
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Special Interests | Genres | DVD | Video

( H ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Special Interests | Independently Distributed | Stores | DVD | Video

Independently Distributed | Indie & Art House | Stores | DVD | Video
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The Modern Falconer: Training, Hawking & Breeding
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ASIN: B000971EPE
Release Date: 2000-02-02

Average customer rating:

English Towns & Villages: The Cotswolds

Manufacturer: TravelVideoStore.com
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Special Interests | Genres | DVD | Video

( E ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Special Interests | Independently Distributed | Stores | DVD | Video

Independently Distributed | Indie & Art House | Stores | DVD | Video
ASIN: B000971EO0
Release Date: 2000-02-02

English Towns & Villages: Stratford Upon Avon

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English Towns & Villages: Stratford Upon Avon

Manufacturer: Customflix
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( S ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Description

This video is a narrated, moving picture postcard view of " Cotswolds Towns And Villages" Stratford upon Avon is known as William Shakespeare's town. The brief story we tell here of his life and the people and places associated with him are indeed very interesting, which is why people come from all over the world to see where this great literary genius was born, lived and died. But Stratford has much more to offer. So come with us and also learn something about the history of the oldest market town in Warwickshire, it's people, the river, canal streets and buildings.As a preview this video will ensure you miss very little. As a souvenir we hope it will help you relive, many times over, the pleasurable memories you have of visiting Stratford Upon Avon.

Greatest Sports Legends: Baseball - The National Pastime

Average customer rating:

Greatest Sports Legends: Baseball - The National Pastime

Manufacturer: Edi Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Sports | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( G ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Sports | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

When It Was a Game - Triple Play Collection
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ASIN: B000059LH6
Release Date: 2001-01-30

Baseball - A Film By Ken Burns: Inning 6 (The National Pastime, 1940 ~ 1950)

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Baseball - A Film By Ken Burns: Inning 6 (The National Pastime, 1940 ~ 1950)

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Product Description

This is part six in the Baseball series by Ken Burns. It chronicles the game from 1940 to 1950. Color and Black & White. 176 minutes.

Charlie Rose with Bob Costas (October 22, 1998)

Average customer rating:

Charlie Rose with Bob Costas (October 22, 1998)

Manufacturer: Charlie Rose
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Description

In a segment shot at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Bob Costas, NBC Sports announcer, discusses his love of sports, especially baseball, and the race for the home-run record. He talks about various moments in baseball history.

Average customer rating:

Hunting with Hawks in England
Starring: n/a
Director: n/a
Manufacturer: Pastime Videos
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Special Interests | Genres | DVD | Video

( H ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Special Interests | Independently Distributed | Stores | DVD | Video

Independently Distributed | Indie & Art House | Stores | DVD | Video
ASIN: B000971EOK
Release Date: 2000-02-02

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