Product Details

• Actors: Tom Selleck, Ken Takakura, Aya Takanashi, Dennis Haysbert, Toshi Shioya
• Directors: Fred Schepisi
• Writers: Gary Ross, John Junkerman, Kevin Wade, Monte Merrick, Theo Pelletier
• Producers: Ariel Levy, Doug Claybourne
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, HiFi Sound, NTSC
• Language: English, Japanese
• Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Universal Studios
• VHS Release Date: July 1, 1997
• Run Time: 108 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (48 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6302676576
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #267,625 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Tom Selleck stars in this hilarious comedy about a veteran major leaguer who attempts to revive his fading baseball career by signing to play in Japan.

Aging superstar Jack Elliot (Selleck) just isn't hitting them like he used to. In fact, the only pro ball club willing to sign him is the Chunichi Dragons...in Nagoya, Japan. Cultures clash immediately when Jack hits town and proceeds to alienate everyone with his arrogance. But through the friendship of teammate Max "Hammer" DuBois (Dennis Haysbert, "Far from Heaven") and the love of the team's beautiful translator, Jack finds a way to fit in and win in this heartwarming, action-packed comedy from director Fred Schepisi. END

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Captures Japanese life and Baseball incredibly accurately!, May 15, 2003

By 

Shashank Tripathi (Gadabout) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mr. Baseball (DVD)

For one thing, this movie pivoted on the theme of baseball is a world better than the Madonna/Davis starring "A league of their own" or the more recent travesties like "A field of dreams". For another, the schism between American and Japanese ideologies/way of life is just so truly captured that it is difficult to believe this movie is not the de-facto recommendation for people interested in Japan. Guess it missed out on the major league scene because, well, quite literally it is not about US major leagues?

A US baseball star (Selleck) is traded to a Japanese baseball team and finds himself at intellectual loggerheads with the extant coach of the team. This, plus a slight romantic sub-plot as he falls in love with the coach's daughter.

Barring some minor cheesy moments -- e.g., when the coach takes Selleck to a golf driving range and makes him hit the balls with a baseball bat, only to hear "I want to hit balls" instead of "I want to hit baseballs"...hmm -- the accuracy of Japanese life is truly stunning. Including, eating ramen with vociferous slurps, digging chopsticks vertically in rice bowls being a no-no, the language used to communicate between the American/Japanese, even a scene with a real on-sen. A refreshing break after stereotype galore seen in movies of that time, including the entertaining "Black Rain" or the absolutely goofball "Rising Sun".

To cut to the chase, this is an under-rated gem of a movie, very well shot, some messages about life and profession as seen from two very different perspectives that are likely to resonate with either side. Selleck takes the cake with his acting, baring his tush (literally, I may add) to portray a grouchy American, snubbing people relentlessly and throwing tantrums in public, then letting us inside this character to understand his views. Takakura Ken, needless to say, is fascinating as usual.

A must watch if you are interested in Japan, or baseball, or a good light-hearted cross cultural take on life and sport.

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Heartwarming drama hiding behind a light sports comedy, January 5, 2002

By 

D. B. Spalding (Korova Multimedia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mr Baseball (DVD)

MR. BASEBALL is a film of paradoxes. Written and filmed as a "light, sports comedy" it truly has a heartwarming core as human and universal as some of Capra's finest. At the plot level, you have the paradox of baseball, a fine old American game, as it is played in Japan - turned around, with American values cast off and Japanese values imprinted upon the game. (Some of the superficial "sports comedy" results from Jack's uncomprehending disbelief at how "basa-boru" is played in Japan.) You also have a lead character who's presented as an over-the-hill, aging baseball star, but who is actually quite immature - pro ball allowed him to postpone growing up. And you have a lead character who is rudely resistant to the changes in his life that are being forced upon him, refusing to accept the curveball that life has given him, in the midst of a new country, a new manager, a new team, and a new girlfriend, who have all welcomed him and try to accept him. Sound like heavy stuff? Not really. It's a charming "clash of cultures" comedy that takes place on the national, sports, romantic, and professional levels. But if you watch it sensitively enough, you will also find a great story about a man who has to abandon his immaturity and grow up way too late in life (causing some amount of personal pain), and finds success in places he never expected it. I love the story, but I also have great respect for Selleck's performance; he bares his tush (literally) to portray an ugly American, insulting people and throwing tantrums in public, then lets us inside this character to understand his dismay. It also doesn't hurt if you're a big fan of Takakura Ken like I am. MR. BASEBALL is a surprising "loss of innocence" tale.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mr. Baseball is a HOOT!, April 11, 2000

By 

Gordon T. Ashlee (Misawa Air Base, Northern Japan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mr Baseball (DVD)

I loved this movie! It is so funny and yet so many of the situations in Japan are similar to my own experiences. If you've never been to Japan, you will still laugh at all the right places for the right reasons. If you've been to Japan, it will be that much funnier. The scene where Tom Selleck drags his interpreter into his apartment is great because a Japanese person would NEVER wear his shoes indoors, so the scene where this poor soul is being dragged into the room by his tie and trying to kick off his shoes is classic. Watch it, you won't be disappointed!