42

US, 2013, minutes, Colour.
Harrison Ford, Chadwick Boseman, Max Gail, Alan Tudyk, Hamish Linklater, Lucas Black, John C. Mc Ginley, Ryan Merriman, Christopher Meloni.
Directed by Brian Helgelend.

For non-Americans, the number 42 may not mean anything at all. It is a baseball number, the number for the jersey of player, Jackie Robinson.

This is a very moving film even for non-fans of baseball or audiences who know nothing of Jackie Robinson. It is about racism in top baseball teams prior to World War II and the introduction of black players into the league after the war.

After the end of the war, baseball entrepreneur, Branch Rickey, made the point that there were no African- Americans in top league baseball. He decided to make a change, despite the objections of people in his office, studied forms and photos of a variety of black players and made the decision to bring Jackie Robinson into the league. There is great force in the film and its portrayal of Branch Rickey, Harrison Ford in one of his best performances, crusty, principled, successful. The film also has the advantage of Chadwick Boseman in the role of Jackie Robinson.

Most of the action takes place in the season 1947, Robinson under contract for the Brooklyn Dodgers, going to spring training, also getting married, experiencing the hostility of co-players, even to many of them signing a petition that he should go. Branch Rickey takes his stands in favour of Robinson.

Even those not familiar with the game will be able to follow some of the tactics in this film, but it is also about Robinson in himself, the self-control he had to exercise in the face of such explicit racism. The racism in so many states and the booing of the sports audience in 1947 comes as something of a shock.

There are some interesting supporting roles, John C. Mc Ginley as the sports commentator, Alan Tudyk as the bigoted manager of the Philadelphia team, seen in vitriolic action, commanded by his superiors to reconcile with Robinson and have a photo-opportunity photo shoot.

The film blends scenes of practice and of games, focus on the crowds and their bigotry and change of heart, Robinson and his taking his place in the development of the Dodgers as a team, his personal story and relationship with his wife.

The film was written and directed, surprisingly, by Brian Helgeland, better known for writing the screenplay is of such films as LA Confidential, Payback, and directing the tongue-in-cheek A Knight’s Tale.

1. The title, the number for Jackie Robinson? His reputation and the growing sacredness of the number?

2. A baseball film, the tradition of American baseball, the greats of the early 20th century, the intervention of the war, baseball in the 1940s, the aftermath of the war, issues of racism and the absence of African- Americans in baseball?

3. An American story, the American locations, New York City, California, Florida and the other centres for baseball training? The musical score?

4. Harrison Ford as Mr Ricky, a significant person in post-World War II baseball? His insight? Attitude towards racism? His courage in bringing black players into the game at this time? His saying it was good business? His office, his assistants and their immediate reaction against his suggestion? Looking at the photos of different players, the decision about Jackie Robinson, his qualifications, education, stability as a person, his war service?

5. Jackie Robinson, his background, home in California, his war experience, his strong education, his proposal to Rachel, their marriage? His skill in baseball?

6. The invitation to New York, the interview with Mr Ricky, the explanation of the contract, the conditions, his signing, the photos?

7. Mr Ricky and his explanations to Jackie, the expectations, anticipation of angers, racism, prejudice, antagonism? His urging calm? Greater strength in
not manifesting anger? His continued support of Jackie, especially with Jackie’s manifestation of anger in the tunnel, and hitting his bat against the wall?

8. Jackie Robinson as a person, a strong personality, his acknowledging the prospects, his ambition, attitude towards Mr Ricky and his confidence in him? Going to the training, the reaction of the players, antagonism, the reaction of the press, photos, comments, questions?

9. The range of baseball games in the film, the visuals? The love of the game? Jackie and his talent, his strength in hitting, his tactic of advancing from the pad, the pitchers trying to get him out? His skills and daring?

10. The range of players, white, young, their attitudes, their experience of African- Americans, limited? The petition? Mr Ricky and his reaction to the petition, his talking to men, the prejudiced man and his behaviour towards Jackie, hitting him? His being transferred to Pittsburgh? Peewee, his support of Jackie, going to Cincinnati, his family , his stands with Mr Ricky, challenging him, his standing on the field with his arm around Jackie, the booing of the crowd, the focus of the little boy and his champion father and the prejudice against the blacks?

11. The range of headlines, the focus of the games, press treatment of Jackie, the interviews?

12. Jackie, his relationship with the other men, their gradual sense of belonging to the team, Jackie avoiding showering with the team, the invitation to shower and his eventually doing so?

13. The Philadelphia situation, the coach, the verbal abuse, Jackie’s reaction, the other team members, the young men going to accost him? The management of Philadelphia, calling the coach in, telling him to change, urging him to have a photo opportunity, the photo and the shaking hands?

14. The film dealing solely with the season of 1947, the cumulative effect of the games, Jackie improving, the reaction of the public, of the players, of the team spirit, the success of the game?

15. The personal touches, Rachel and her support of Jackie, not realising she was pregnant until she was told, the love between the two – and, in fact, its lasting for decades until his death?

16. Mr Ricky, his contact with various managers, shrewdness dealing with the race issue?

17. Leo, his role with the team, his personal life, Ricky’s comment about adultery, the Catholic youth organisation wanting him ousted, his being suspended?

18. The achievement of 1947? Black players entering into top baseball teams? This film offering the record of a breakthrough?