SummaryIn a corporate-controlled future, an ultra-violent sport known as Rollerball represents the world, and one of its powerful athletes is out to defy those who want him out of the game.
Directed By:Norman Jewison
Written By:William Harrison
Rollerball
Metascore
Mixed or Average
56
User score
Generally Favorable
7.0
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Top Cast
Metascore
Mixed or Average
56
55% Positive
6 Reviews
6 Reviews
36% Mixed
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
9% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
90
One of the most forward looking science fiction tales of the 70's.
80
With a fantastic stunt team, a gamely macho star and some wonderful editing, Rollerball is so convincing, urban legend had it there were fatalities during the shoot.
User score
Generally Favorable
7.0
65% Positive
15 Ratings
15 Ratings
35% Mixed
8 Ratings
8 Ratings
0% Negative
0 Ratings
0 Ratings
Oct 9, 2024
9
Ce film de 1975 a connu un calamiteux remake de John McTiernan en 2002 : à oublier d’urgence ! ne pas mélanger les torchons et les serviettes, donc ! Le vrai et unique Rollerball est un film de gladiateurs du futur ou plutôt d’un futur pensé proche à l’époque mais qui nous paraît bien plus vraisemblable encore de nos jours. Dans un monde corporatiste où les multinationales ont racheté les gouvernements, les masses laborieuses sont canalisées par le sport le plus populaire et le plus violent : le Rollerball. James Caan trouve là son meilleur rôle, charismatique et obstiné. Le réalisateur Norman Jewison ne se contente pas d’aligner des séquences d’anthologie, il creuse aussi avec soin la psychologie des personnages et du système totalitaire dans lequel ils évoluent. Une ambiance étonnante et fascinante malgré quelques lenteurs ici et là, une ambiance certes très typée années 70 mais encore très actuelle dans son concept dystopique.
Mar 26, 2022
8
I was up for a 2022 rewatch and oh this is still a cracking film. Iconic music score for sure. Nearly all the performances are very subtle. Like the emotions in this world is almost stunted, beyond the outlet of the game. Visually dated so a very retro cinematic vibe. The plot is pretty unsubtle and spelled out clearly by the main antagonist. Where the protagonist is the square peg they want to force in a round hole.
75
The performances of Caan and Richardson are excellent, and the rollerball sequences are fast-paced and interesting.
70
The skate-rink action, which culminates in an apocalyptic death match, remains rabble-rousingly brutal.
50
It's got the smoothest, glossiest finish imaginable, but something inside it doesn't jell. [15 July 1988, p.26]
50
Rollerball isn't a movie; it's a protest demonstration - producer-director Norman Jewison's feeble complaint about both the increasing brutality in professional sports and the increasing sterility of modern life. Trendy concerns, sure enough, but the movie's only contribution could well be the introduction of its brutal, eponymous game to an already sport-surfeited society. [07 July 1975, p.56]
37
Lifeless, uninspired, and crammed with enough hints of intellectual consistency to give the socially conscious critical establishment shivers of excitement.
May 19, 2020
8
This 1970's dystopian 'death sports' scifi mixes action, mystery and drama and never fails to drop the ball (pun FULLY intended). I really appreciated the succinct dialogue which pleasingly doesn't bore the audience with pools of expository dialogue, often a problem in this genre. Overall watching in 2020 the hardest parts to enjoy are the action scenes which although pleasingly gladiatorial, have aged terribly...
Aug 12, 2019
8
Rollerball is a cool and interesting 1970s sci fi action thriller.
A very good concept were corporations control everything in the future and it's violent gladiatorial sport were a champion wants to do what he wants but can't directly do that due to corporate society. The film has interesting themes and a couple of well choreographed action scenes.
Aug 23, 2025
7
A very 1970s film. Has the dystopian view of the future, long periods of silence, women treated like disposable commodities, casual racism, and impressive set design. The stunt work for the 3 rollerball games is phenomenal -- visceral, dangerous-looking (and probably actually dangerous in spots), easy to follow. Caan gives an unusual performance--he is quite subdued when not in the rink. Is he supposed to be on narcotics? There are odd digressions, such as a visit to a "library" and Jonathan is allowed to fly all over the world when, supposedly, the Energy Corporation wants him gone. But it is a touchstone film for other "competition" based dystopian media, like the Hunger Games and The Running Man, and it's originality (for the time) and style elevate it from a 6 to a 7 for me.
Oct 28, 2023
7
The fear of the future society, and the questioning of corporations and the taste for violence, serve as an almost valid argument for social criticism. I say almost because throughout the two hours of footage the pace is not completely even, although it is not a waste of time. What is is its remake (2001)
Apr 2, 2026
5
Everything outside of the rollerball action is a massive ? I love the corporate wars, though, big corporate war guy.
Production Company:
- Algonquin
- United Artists
Release Date:Jun 25, 1975
Duration:2 h 5 m
Rating:R
Tagline:It's More Than Just a Game!
Awards
BAFTA Awards
• 1 Win & 4 Nominations
Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA
• 3 Wins & 3 Nominations
Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America
• 1 Nomination
