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 enlarge | Director: John D. Hancock
Actors: Michael Moriarty, Robert De Niro, Vincent Gardenia, Phil Foster, Ann Wedgeworth
Studio: Paramount
Category: DVD
List Price: $9.98
Buy New: $4.77
You Save: $5.21 (52%)
New (46) Used (20) Collectible (2) from $4.43
Rating:  18 reviews
Sales Rank: 6466
Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, Dvd-video, Widescreen, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled)
Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 96 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 0 x 0 x 0
MPN: TM2522
ISBN: 0792186826
UPC: 097360873245
EAN: 9780792186823
ASIN: B00007LP8K
Theatrical Release Date: 1973
Release Date: March 4, 2003
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 One of my husband's all time favorites March 9, 2006
K. Eber (Chicago, IL)
1 out of 9 found this review helpful
Though I haven't seen it yet, my husband considers it a must-have classic.
Bang The Drum Slowly August 10, 2005
John Farr
4 out of 6 found this review helpful
This sad, moving film showcases emerging brilliance of young DeNiro, with the underrated Moriarty also turning in a superb performance. Both baseball fans and devotees of great film alike should readily agree on this title.
Unforgettable Movie! June 19, 2004
Melvin Hunt (Cleveland,, Texas United States)
11 out of 11 found this review helpful
This is the film that you will not forget.This is a story of two roommates attempting to get through one final season. Michael plays the role of a pitcher who is the roommate of Robert DeNiro who plays the role of the catcher.DeNiro isbrdiagnosed with Hodgkins disease. Michael as his roommate andbrintimate friend helps DeNiro cope with Hodgkins as well asbrmake the season to the end. This is one of the more touchingbrfilms that I have watched.It would compare to Brian's Songbras far as being emotional.DeNiro,in this movie definitely showedbrsigns of great things to come for him.And,who could ever forgetbrthe haunting song that accompanied the movie.A definite must see.
 Superb movie but needs extras April 24, 2004
Joe Cool (Bronx, NY United States)
11 out of 13 found this review helpful
Bang the Drum Slowly is a line taken from the cowboy dirge The Steets of Laredo which is about a cowboy dying young.Bang the Drum Slowly which is based on a novel by the same name, is about a dying dim-witted, country boy catcher and a sophisticated, star pitcher. The catcher (Pearson), played by Robert DeNiro, is dying from Hogkin's disease and the only one who knows about it is the Michael Moriarty character (Arthur). The story goes on how Arthur is suddenly nice to Pearson. No one knows why and everyone becomes more resentful of Pearson. Slowly everyone learns that Pearson is dying and starts to treat Pearson nicer. In addition, the team, a talented but bickering group of ballplayers, are finally united because of Pearson's condition and go on to win the series. The continued subtle references to the business side of baseball pulls us back to the harsh reality of life and prevents the movie from being too corny. The movie is superb, but the DVD would have been better if some extras were included especially if there were something about history of free agency in baseball. $124,000 is not even the the base pay of today's rookie major leaguer, but in 1974 (when the movie was made) this was a huge amount of money. 1974 was also significant because this was the year that Andy Messersmith of the Dodger's challenged the reserve clause and became the first free agent.
From here on in, I rag nobody....... June 16, 2003
Archmaker (California)
22 out of 22 found this review helpful
Plain old mother talk aint no ways strong enough to describe such a terrible mixup is life, Arthur. But I swear, my son's been handed one s**t deal!pOne of the finer movies of its era, Bang the Drum Slowly is the story of a big-league pitcher, superbly played by Michael Moriarty, and his roommate, a catcher dieing from Hodgkin's disease played by a young Robert DeNiro in a wonderful performance that will come as a surprise to many used to the, by now familiar, DeNiro persona. Here he is a dumb-as-dirt, but amiable Georgia farm boy and he is absolutely believable in the role.pA touching story told with great humor, I think it one of the best baseball movies made, though it really isn't about baseball. This is the 70's, before super star salaries and temperaments have forever changed the game, when Managers were still King and the top salary of an ace pitcher was 100K. The film is told at a leisurely pace, 70's style, somewhat episodically, which will put some off. pQuite frankly I loved the sidetrips and distractions, because it allows a great cast to all have their moments. Vincent Gardenia as Dutch, the prototypical big league Manager Never mind the facts, give me details a cigarette forever planted on his lower lip, ashes dripping down his chest; Phil Foster hooking unsuspecting fans to play TEGWAR (The Exciting Game Without Any Rules)with himself Arthur; Patick McVey as the father; Marshall Ephron as the weasely Bradley; the scheming Ann Wedgewood: Selma Diamond, Danny Aiello and others.pThe story is narrated by Moriarty, and that narration and much of the dialogue is done in beautifully articulate mangled English. It feels lived-in. The story is told with an odd mixture of dead-pan delivery that is unsentimental and yet is very touching in the last analysis. Bittersweet.pAlthough they avoid the big emotional moment, the film builds its emotions slowly and carefully, and when it is done if you haven't been moved by this funny/sad story, well....too bad for you. Well worth your time, for some laughs, some tears, an insight or two and some sterling performances by Michael Moriarty and Robert DeNiro who hit all the right notes.pI don't know why you don't live it up all the time when dieing's just around the corner, but you don't. You'd think you would, but you don't. 4-1/2 Stars all the way.
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