42

Cast: Chadwick Boseman, Harrison Ford, Nicole Behaire, Lucas Black, Christopher Meloni

Director: Brian Helegand (2013).

The entire sports universe and geopolitical world is aware of the significance of Jackie Robinson’s ascent into the segregated major league baseball world. When he debuted in 1947, to the Brooklyn Dodgers baseball club, the entire world took notice and things began to change in America. It would only be a few more years before Civil Rights would become a thing and 42 faithfully tells that story.

Legendary Baseball Executive, Branch Rickey, takes on the baseball establishment when he signs a black athlete, Jackie Robinson, to play for the Brooklyn Dodgers baseball team in 1947. The film gives the audience at least a glimmer to what Robinson, played by Chadwick Boseman had to endure, from Southern born teammates who created a petition to keep him off the team, pitchers throwing at his head, often having to stay at mediocre hotels on the road when his white teammates have much nicer accommodations and the physical and mental, he had to endure. Yet he persevered, helping the Dodgers win the 1947 National League Pennant and Robinson would win the National League Rookie of the year Award, which is called the Jackie Robinson Award

Fun Fats:

Robert Redford originaly wanted to direct and play Branch Rickey

The film's producer, Thomas Tull, visited the National Baseball Hall of Fame as a boy. When he saw Robinsons Plaque, he knew he was going to tell his story in some way. The film made $95,000,000 at the box office.

Harrison Ford was totally uncriticizable as Branch Rickey. The actor had said, “if the audience recognizes me, then I didn’t do my job well.”