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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
This enjoyable 1976 film by John Badham (Saturday Night Fever) concerns the efforts of a barnstorming baseball team of African American players to work around the dominance of the Negro National League. Set in 1939, the swift, impressive, and entertaining troupe of personality-rich athletes easily make the viewer wistful for this level of spiritedness on a green field. While the story is a bit halting, the script intelligently reflects some of the difficulties and requirements of black players at that time to find success in the game. The excellent cast includes Billy Dee Williams, whose character is based on Satchel Paige, and James Earl Jones, whose part is suggestive of the tragic Josh Gibson, as well as Richard Pryor, Ted Ross, DeWayne Jessie, and Stan Shaw. Produced by Motown's old film division, the musical score, not surprisingly, is highly memorable. --Tom Keogh
Product Description
In the 1930s, when major league baseball was a whites-only sport, a squad of top Negro League players break away from the tight-fisted owners and make their way across America, taking on both black and white teams, in this unusual and fun-filled comedy/drama. Billy Dee Williams, Richard Pryor and James Earl Jones star. 110 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby mono; Subtitles: French, Spanish; audio commentary; production notes; biographies; DVD-ROM content; trailer.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
I've always enjoyed this film ever since I was a pre teen. But as i've viewed the film in subsequent years i've come to regard it as more than just a very entertaining film.
The first point that i'd like to make is that it would be very easy to look at this film as a glossed over historical account of Jackie Robinson, Satchel Paige and Josh Gibson. The film is not that although three of the main characters are certainly based upon those great men. For a more historical recount, albeit with some dramatic license, I would recommend HBO's fine Soul of the Game.
I think it's difficult for many in my generation (under 40) to really appreciate the struggles and agony that most black americans endured just a short time ago in our history. This film however does a fabulous job of weaving the reality of barnstorming with the joy, athleticism and sorrow that was Negro League Baseball in addition to the pervasive racism that flourished throughout america at that time. For that alone it shouldn't be missed.
All that notwithstanding it's a fabulous entertainment. Richard Pryor is as always hiliarious. The script is very well written. At times emphasizing comedy, drama, triumph, tragedy and most importantly sufficiently representing the atmosphere and culture of much of black america at that time. But it's the performances of Billy Dee and James Earl that really raise the film from just fine storytelling to the level of social commentary and criticsm.
You'll laugh, strut, rage, and ultimately cry at this beautiful film.
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
a great tribute too the negro league players.overcoming racism&hustling owners.they defend themselves really well from both worlds and achieve there goals.James Earl jones,Billy Dee Williams,each give great performances.but Richard Pryor with his ricky ricardo take steals the show.a great look into the negro leagues.and very uplifting.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This is a funny, well acted look at the Negro Leagues and barnstorming before the integration of Major League Baseball. Many of the details in the movie are based on historical facts. There really was a woman owner in the Negro Leagues, for example. More to the point, the movie correctly illustrates some of the greed and corruption within the league, as well as some of the issues the players faced. It also captures the experience of a barnstorming club and the often clownish antics players sometimes had to engage in to attract attention. It also is a pretty funny movie starring Billy Dee Williams as a Satchel Paige-esque pitcher who's supremely self-confident, so much so that he throws his world famous "Invite Pitch" to hitters without players manning the field. James Earl Jones is a treat as Leo Carter, a hard-hitting, no nonsense catcher. Look for Richard Pryor in a smaller, but funny role as Charile Snow, who's convinced he can break into the Majors by pretending to be Cuban as Carlos Nevada. This is a great movie no baseball fan should miss.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
The DVD was damage, and I was not able to enjoy the movie!
I was not able to enjoy Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars, because the DVD was damage!! I wish I could send it back!! OK
Published 8 months ago by Lester B.
I loved this movie!
This is an excellent movie that really grasps an era in a thoughtful way with many interesting details that are telling of the period and yet its entertaining and in parts quite... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Karen D Brandon
comedy
A realy good baseball flick,showing the way it was for player back in the days of color lines.
Published 19 months ago by Ivory M. Bivens
A good movie
a very funny film with a cast of actors not seen together in a film. Not only is it funny, it's a movie the family can watch.
Published 24 months ago by R. Birotte
Bingo Long
The movie I purchased was in excellent condition. I haven't seen it since it was first released at movie theatres and it was a treat to see it again. Read more
Published on July 22, 2009 by DJACK
Witty, funny, and an important piece of African American history
This fictionalized account of the Negro League baseball of the 1930s just before Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier is based on real incidents and persons. Read more
Published on June 12, 2009 by Karen Ann Watson-Gegeo, anthropologist and poet
Memories, Memories
This movie brought back soooo many memories.I remember viewing it with my grandmother back in the day. It is a great movie. You will not be disappointed if you purchase it. Read more
Published on May 10, 2009 by Tamara Smith
Soul of the Game, Lite
Bingo Long is a fun movie, describing a bitter period in American History, and American Baseball History. Read more
Published on November 28, 2007 by Joseph Shannon
Baseball
This is the start of the nergo league baseball, most of the players were
slaves. Billy Dee Williams, James Earl Jones, Richard Pryor among lots more.
slaves. Billy Dee Williams, James Earl Jones, Richard Pryor among lots more.
Published on November 18, 2007 by Christine Andersen
A BASEBALL CLASSIC
The entire life and the atmosphere of The Negro League baseball era was brilliantly portrayed from the barnstorming perspective. Read more
Published on March 20, 2007 by Delta Educator
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