What makes it different from others?

Self-important, over-dramatic, uninspired.

It's an amazing and heartbreaking story.

This movie feels like it was made purely to piss off people who want good shows

This television movie was made in an era of laden with stereotypes of gender roles, racial equality, and masculinity. I don't have to tell you what Brian's Song is about or how it ends. The story is very well known throughout the athletic community and amongst fans of the NFL. But if you don't know the story of Gale Sayers and Brian Piccolo then I suggest you watch this movie. While the above paragraph was very blunt and did not explain why I like this Brian's Song so much I will use one word to describe my undying love for this television move; simplicity. Yeah; simplicity is the reason. Now I do understand that CGI wasn't um a big thing back then but there was still big budget movies and television shows. The actors in the movie are top notch but did not peak in their careers until later on for almost another 10 years. Plus the movie didn't try and make a spectacle out of pro football. The television movie stuck to the story and draws emotion out of you by showing the budding friendship between two men. Even the strongest men and women will cry when watching this movie. The speech that Gale Sayers gives about his love for Brian Piccolo could move mountains with its emotion. The way it is spoken, versed, and yes the simplicity of the speech make it one of the most revered video clips ever. So sit back, grab a box of tissues, and get ready to join a cinema favorite of mine. Trust me if you are not moved to tears while watching this movie seek medical attention right away. :)

This film is perhaps not only one of the great sports movies of all time, but one of the best movies of all time, period. It's nice that a sports movie can be based upon how the camaraderie of the game can create friendships, especially during times of racism. I think it also portrays how truly nice it is that people who are competing for the same job can appreciate each other for who they are, not what they can do.The story begins in 1965 about two running backs, as the trailer says "one white, the other black." Brian Piccolo, a white running back from the south, and a graduate of Wake Forest, is played magnificently by James Caan. Gale Sayers, a black, naturally athletic and lightning speed superstar from Nebraska, and graduate of Kansas, is played equally well by Billy Dee Williams.We can see right away that both of these men have opposite personalities: Piccolo is a fun-loving, personable joker with a good sense of humor, and Sayers is a shy, quiet, unprepossessing gentlemanly type. Sayers is a tremendous athlete, never having problems succeeding in the game, while Piccolo is hard-working, tough as nails, and getting ahead not so much on ability, but through determination and maximum effort.The Bears decide they are going to have players room together according to position, regardless of race. Sayers and Piccolo don't seem to know how to deal with it, but they still manage to get along and later become close friends. The wonderful quality this movie has is that is shows very convincing changes in both of them. Piccolo helps Sayers rehabilitate a knee injury because he wants to beat him out fair and square, not because he was injured. Sayers helps Piccolo become a better player, and is later promoted from second string halfback to starting fullback. Sayers, who is very shy at the start of the movie, later becomes more personable, and more comfortable around people.Just when things start to go well for Piccolo, starting at fullback, gaining yards, and scoring touchdowns, tragedy strikes: Brian Piccolo has cancer in his right lung. The shocking news hits Sayers between the eyes like a rock. He makes a very moving speech to the team about dedicating their next game to him. Piccolo receives tremendous support from his teammamates, wife, and Sayers, who we now know is a true and loyal friend.The casting of this film was fantastic, and they work together magnificently: Shelly Fabares and Judy Pace are terrific as the supportive wives, and Jack Warden is very convincing as Coach George Halas. Brian's Song is a wonderful film, not so much because it is about the glory of sports, but about the value of friendship. The instrumental musical piece of "The Hands of Time" truly magnifies the poignancy of the story as well. This film is a classic, and you'll be surprised how moved you'll be by the end.

Yeah, this movie's pretty good. However, it is kind of limited by the conventions and budgets of the television movie. While some of the introductory scenes are quite good and engrossing, the second act flirts all too closely with melodrama. Yes, it's melodrama that's written, directed and acted well, but it's still melodrama.The film, as is to be expected of a television movie, pales in comparison with a very similar feature film released around the same time, "Bang the Drum Slowly", which tells a similar story, albeit without a racial element, but also without the slightest hint of melodrama."Brian's Song" is somewhat better known, but "Bang the Drum Slowly" is the true masterpiece. Still, "Brian's Song" is a solid film, especially of interest to football fans.

When it comes to TV movies, there's no movie that comes close to Brian's Song. In my opinion, they should have released it in theaters, it probably would've won Best Picture.Brian's Song portrays the friendship between Brian Piccolo and Gayle Sayers, two teammates that fought for the same job. Unfortunately, their lives are challenged when Brian is diagnosed with cancer.There are so many parts in this movie that will make the biggest baddest, toughest guy break down and start falling apart. Most of these parts involve both Sayers and Piccolo, for their bond is so great that they are more than friends, they are brothers.Caan and Williams portray Piccolo and Sayers perfectly; they even resemble them too.I think that everyone should see this movie (and even see the 2001 remake, though it's not as good as this one).There will never be another song like Brian's, but perhaps the lesson taught in the film is that we should always try to be more like Brian Piccolo, by living every day to it's fullest and loving life, because it can be very short.