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Official Synopsis:
This "authentic, funny and very touching" (Sneak Previews) film about the infamous 1919 Chicago White Sox scandal scored a home run with audiences across the globe! And now, in celebration of its 20th Anniversary, this Special Edition DVD serves up a thrilling grand slam of special features including a behind-the-scenes commentary, a documentary and more! John Cusack and Charlie Sheen lead a "superb ensemble of actors" (Newsweek) as young idealistic players on the White Sox, who, despite being pennant winners, are treated with disdain by their penny-pinching owner/manager. Ripe for a money-making scheme, the demoralized team agrees to throw the World Series. But when they're defeated, a couple of sports writers smell a fix, and a national scandal explodes, ripping the cover off America's favorite pastime in "the movie baseball fans have been waiting for" (USA Today).
Our Take:
I don’t like baseball. I never have and I probably never will. I just find it to be an incredibly dull, boring sport. However, for some odd reason, I absolutely love baseball movies. I’ve never quite figured out why that is, except to say that if the game of baseball was as exciting as the movies make it out to be, I’d probably be a bigger fan. I especially love period baseball films. There’s something about the first half of the century, when baseball really was America’s pastime, that I find utterly fascinating. It’s amazing how kids grew up idolizing baseball players and were so invested in the game; it really was a passion and it’s why so many of today’s fans are older; they remember the game in its prime.
According to the USA Today quote on the cover of the Eight Men Out: 20th Anniversary Edition DVD, it’s “the best baseball movie ever.” I don’t know if that’s the case, but it certainly is a great film. Written and directed by respected filmmaker John Sayles, the movie presents a studied and moving portrait of the 1919 “Black Sox”; what could have been one of the greatest baseball teams of all time. Instead, a gambling scandal resulted in the downfall of many of the game’s great players from the era, including Shoeless Joe Jackson. John Cusack shines as the upstanding Buck Henry, and David Strathairn turns in a terrific performance as pitcher Eddie Cicotte. John Mahoney is also fantastic as Kid Gleason. I could go on like this forever, as there really isn’t anyone in the cast who isn’t great.
The movie has appeared on DVD before as a bare bones edition, but now we’re treated to a special edition just in time for baseball season. Here’s what’s included on the disc:
- Audio Commentary by Director John Sayles.
- Two-Part Retrospective Documentary – A look back at the making of the film with director John Sayles.
- The Story Behind The Movie (35 minutes) – A more historical featurette with some of the men who have written books on the Black Sox talking about the team and the scandal.
- DB, The Bat & The 2005 World Series (3 minutes) – A fun little feature with actor DB Sweeney.
Eight Men Out: 20th Anniversary Edition is a terrific movie and a terrific DVD, and it will really make you think about the players on this infamously legendary team. The film doesn’t present them all as good guys or bad guys, but real people with varied motivations for doing what they did. Filled with great performances and solid baseball action, Eight Men Out is…
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Overall Picture:
Movie: A-
DVD: B+
- Mike Spring
Editor
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