Rollerball 1975
Directed by
Norman Jewison
Made by
United Artists
Plot Summary
It is the year 2018, and the world has transformed into a place devoid of wars, poverty, and violence. Instead, people channel their frustrations through the thrilling experience of Rollerball games. In a thrilling matchup, the Houston team triumphs over Madrid, with their standout player, Jonathan E, showcasing his exceptional scoring skills. Despite the brutality of the game, the players revel in it, celebrating their victory alongside corporate executives led by the arrogant Mr. Bartholomew.
When Jonathan is summoned to meet Bartholomew the following day, he learns that the Energy Corporation is pressuring him to retire. Resistant to this directive, Jonathan returns home via helicopter to his secluded ranch in East Texas, accompanied by a young woman assigned to him by the corporation, along with his friend and trainer, Clete. However, the woman soon departs for Indianapolis on a whim, leaving Jonathan to focus solely on training the Rollerball team, which includes new members.
In his quest for information about the Energy Corporation, Jonathan visits a library in downtown Houston, but the clerk informs him that the books he seeks are classified and cannot be issued. Meanwhile, back at his ranch, he encounters another young woman, Daphne, also sent by the corporation. The team’s training takes an unexpected turn when they learn of new rules that eliminate penalties, a change imposed because of Jonathan’s refusal to retire.
During a television interview designed to herald his retirement, it becomes clear that Bartholomew orchestrated the entire segment, aiming to pressure Jonathan further. As the Rollerball team continues their rigorous training, they dismiss warnings from a coach representing the Tokyo team and confidently proclaim their superiority. The story unfolds at a lavish cocktail party where affluence and excess are rampant, and whispers circulate that the players are robots. Bartholomew’s insistence for Jonathan to quit is met with defiance, as Jonathan grapples with the pressures around him.
As they travel to Tokyo, the Rollerball team faces a brutal onslaught from their opponents, leading to dire consequences for team member Moonpie. When Moonpie ends up in a coma, a Japanese doctor urges Jonathan to allow life support to be removed, but he steadfastly refuses. Meanwhile, Bartholomew and the Energy Corporation executives discuss Jonathan’s removal from the game in a tense video conference, aiming to restore Rollerball to its original spirit.
Jonathan’s journey takes him to Geneva, Switzerland, where he seeks information about corporate warfare at the world’s largest computer bank, but the system fails to provide clarity. In a poignant visit, his ex-wife Ella arrives at his ranch, attempting to convince him that the corporation had good reasons for their actions. However, Jonathan ultimately erases all traces of their past together, symbolizing his determination to fight against the corporation’s manipulations.
As the Rollerball team competes in New York City under the oppressive new rules, calamity strikes as players suffer severe injuries or even death. Amidst the chaos, Jonathan continues to score, and as the crowd chants his name, Bartholomew’s anger reaches a boiling point. The final sequence captures Jonathan skating endlessly, freezing the frame just as the credits roll, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats.
Timeline
A New Era Begins
In 2018, the world has been transformed into a peaceful existence, devoid of wars, poverty, and violence. Instead of conflict, society now indulges in Rollerball games as an outlet for their frustrations, marking a significant cultural shift.
Houston Triumphs Over Madrid
In an exciting matchup of Rollerball, the Houston team claims victory over Madrid. Standout player Jonathan E showcases his exceptional scoring ability, relishing the celebration with teammates and corporate executives post-game.
Pressure to Retire
The following day, Jonathan is summoned to meet Mr. Bartholomew, who pressures him to retire from the Rollerball league. Resistant to this command, Jonathan’s sense of individuality begins to clash with corporate expectations.
Journey to the Secluded Ranch
Accompanied by a young woman assigned by the Energy Corporation and his friend Clete, Jonathan travels by helicopter to his ranch in East Texas. Upon arrival, he discovers that the young woman has spontaneously left for Indianapolis, leaving him alone.
Search for Information
In a quest to uncover more about the Energy Corporation, Jonathan visits a library in downtown Houston. Unfortunately, he learns the books he seeks are classified, highlighting the corporation's secrecy and control over information.
Training under New Rules
Back at the ranch, another young woman named Daphne is sent by the corporation. During training, the team is informed of new rules that eliminate penalties, a direct result of Jonathan’s refusal to retire and the ensuing chaotic atmosphere.
Orchestrated Retirement Interview
During a televised interview designed to announce his retirement, Jonathan realizes that Bartholomew has manipulated the entire production. This effort to further pressure him showcases the corporation’s stringent control over his life.
Facing the Tokyo Team
While traveling to Tokyo for a crucial matchup, the Rollerball team confronts ferocious competition. The encounter proves to be violent, leaving one of their teammates, Moonpie, in critical condition, raising the stakes for Jonathan.
Moral Dilemma
In the aftermath of Moonpie's injury, a Japanese doctor appeals to Jonathan to allow life support to be turned off. However, Jonathan's refusal to give up on his teammate illustrates his commitment and compassion amidst the ruthless nature of the sport.
Seeking Answers in Geneva
Jonathan's journey leads him to Geneva, Switzerland, in search of insights into corporate warfare. Unfortunately, his endeavors there yield little, demonstrating the complexities of the corporate power struggle he is entwined with.
Confrontation with Ex-Wife
Jonathan receives an unexpected visit from his ex-wife Ella at his ranch. She tries to persuade him that the Energy Corporation had valid reasons for its actions, yet Jonathan's decision to erase their shared past symbolizes his resolve to oppose the corporation.
The Final Match in New York
As the Rollerball team competes in New York City, the oppressive new rules lead to chaos as players are critically injured or killed. In the midst of this bloodshed, Jonathan scores repeatedly, receiving overwhelming support from the crowd.
Culmination of Conflict
Amid the escalating violence, Jonathan's performance enrages Bartholomew, who seeks to eliminate him further. As tensions rise, the chaotic scenes focus around Jonathan, just before reaching a dramatic conclusion.
Endless Skating
In the film's final moments, Jonathan is seen skating endlessly, symbolizing his perseverance against the corporate powers. The frame freezes just as the credits roll, leaving the audience captivated and on edge.
Characters
Jonathan E (James Caan)
Jonathan E is the star player of the Rollerball team, known for his exceptional skills and competitive spirit. He embodies defiance against corporate pressure, struggling to maintain his integrity and autonomy. As the story unfolds, Jonathan's determination to resist forced retirement showcases his resilience in the face of systemic adversity.
Mr. Bartholomew (John Houseman)
Mr. Bartholomew leads the Energy Corporation, representing the cold, calculating nature of corporate power. His arrogance and manipulative strategies put immense pressure on Jonathan, pushing the athlete to confront not only the game's brutality but also the corporate machinations behind it. Bartholomew's character embodies the overarching conflict between individual athletes and corporate interests.
Moonpie (Shane Rimmer)
Moonpie is a key member of the Rollerball team who suffers a severe injury during a match, highlighting the violent nature of the sport. His ordeal illustrates the physical dangers athletes face in pursuit of glory, and serves as a catalyst for Jonathan's resistance against corporate pressure. The stakes of the game are made painfully clear through Moonpie's fate.
Ella (Maud Adams)
Ella is Jonathan's ex-wife who visits him, attempting to reason with him about the Energy Corporation's intentions. Her character represents personal connections that are strained by corporate interests. Ella's plea reflects the emotional conflict within Jonathan, torn between his past relationship and his fight against the oppressive corporation.
Setting
Time period
2018
The film is set in the year 2018, in a future where societal issues such as wars and poverty have been seemingly eradicated. Instead, the world has turned to extreme sports like Rollerball as a primary outlet for human emotion and conflict, reflecting a significant shift in societal values and entertainment.
Location
Houston, East Texas, Tokyo, Geneva, New York City
The movie takes place primarily in Houston, a bustling city known for its diverse culture and as a hub for various industries. East Texas is depicted as a secluded, tranquil ranch area, contrasting with the chaotic corporate environment. The plot also spans internationally, with sequences set in Tokyo, known for its vibrant and advanced society, and Geneva, recognized as a center for finance and diplomacy.
Themes
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Competition
Competition drives the narrative as athletes engage in the brutal sport of Rollerball. The desire for victory reflects deeper issues of corporate control and manipulation, as players are pitted against one another not just for sport, but as part of a corporate strategy. The intense rivalry showcases the lengths individuals will go to achieve fame and success, even in a system designed to exploit them.
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Corporate Control
A central theme in the film is corporate control, highlighted by the Energy Corporation's influence over the players and the game's rules. The corporation exerts pressure on Jonathan, manipulating events to maintain its power. This theme critiques the commodification of sports and the loss of individuality in the face of overwhelming corporate interests.
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Isolation
The theme of isolation is prevalent as Jonathan faces pressure from both the corporation and his personal relationships. His solitude is evident in his interactions with others, especially after the departure of women sent by the corporation. This isolation culminates in his battle against the corporate machine, emphasizing the emotional toll of striving for autonomy.
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