Customer Reviews

Follow the Sun: The Ben Hogan Story [VHS]

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a good biopic about golf immortal Ben Hogan, master of the repetitive swing and accurate beyond belief. It reflects the dramatic standards of 1951, however, and you just have to know that Ben and wife Valerie CRINGED when they saw some of the onscreen exchanges between Glen Ford and Anne Baxter.

Hogan himself hit the golf shots for this film, and you can easily see how masterful he was. The Beatles later wrote a theme song for "Follow the Sun," but there was never enough demand to substantiate a re-release of the movie updated with that musical addition.

It has been many years since watching Follow the Sun. This is a motivational movie for any young golfer to watch. It is about faith and persistance.

As a young man this picture had a major influence on my life. When it is available for sale again, I will be the first to buy a copy.

Hogan is such a mysterious man. Ford tells an adequate job of portraying him, aloof and intense, always polite and maticulously dressed.

The coverage of the accident and rehab is great. Thought maybe the opening of the caddie segment of his life could have been done with little more "up close and personal touch," since this seemed to affect Ben so much.

Sampson's book "Hogan" provides a worthy reference to read along with this video. Heard that there was to be a new attempt at Hogan's story with Kevin Kostner playing Ben.

Neat to have one narrated by Crenshaw or Kris Tschetter and those who actually knew the guy (for sure, Venturi!) Done right, could be great!

I recently had the chance to see this film again after many years and once again enjoyed it possibly even more than the first time. Glenn Ford plays pro golfer, Ben Hogan and as usual with most of his films he fits the part perfectly. A reliable actor like Ford can make even a simple little film very entertaining. Anne Baxter as his wife, is too very good in her part. They have a very nice chemistry, and they are very believable as a married couple. One might notice that the prize amounts paid to the winners is very different from the millions paid today. A nice piece of nostalgia-

When I first saw this movie I was in the most intense phase of my golf obsession; I would've watched a Hogan movie if it was made with stick figures on a flip pad. I'm guessing that most thoughtful golfers "liked" this movie but hungered for something more. Hogan was a complex, fascinating character who deserved a more nuanced portrait. Why no one has ever attempted such a movie escapes me.

The movie is pleasant enough and Glenn Ford was certainly an accomplished actor but he was the wrong choice for the Hogan role. I don't know too much about all the actors of that day but a character actor who could convey subtleties might have created a more memorable movie.

The previous reviewer mentions the book "Hogan" by Curt Sampson and I also highly recommend that book if you want a deeper, more complex look at Hogan, both as a human being and as a golfer.

Being a golfer and a fan of the sport for many years, I was very interested in seeing this, which I did when the VHS first came out. Later, I saw it again because of the same reason plus I usually find Glenn Ford's films entertaining. Also, Ben Hogan was a fascinating man and incredible golfer. The things he accomplished after nearly dying in a horrific car crash and are amazing and inspiring.

The only probleml I had with the film was showing what a nice guy he usually was, and someone cared lot about what the public thought. That's not true; he could care less. Anyone who knew Hogan, or competed against him, will tell you that. This is like the hokey William Bendix movie on Babe Ruth.

I don't need all of Ben's faults pointed out, but went overboard in the other direction. Even the great Hogan would tell you that. I've read where this film embarrassed him.