Product Details

• Actors: William Russ, John Achorn, Ernie Banks, Ernie Lee Banks, Joey Banks
• Directors: Robin B. Armstrong
• Writers: David Eyre Jr.
• Producers: Robin B. Armstrong, Eric Tynan Young, Jeff McCracken, Jonathan Chambers
• Format: Color, Dolby, NTSC
• Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Sony Pictures
• VHS Release Date: June 24, 1994
• Run Time: 94 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 630235319X
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #332,101 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

You don't have to be a baseball lover to appreciate this funny, touching story of minor-league ball and major-league dreams. Pastime is the most realistic depiction of the nonglamour side of sports as played by the people who seem to love it the most. William Russ stars as an aging pitcher, now in his 40s, who only got to pitch once in the majors. Still hanging on in the minors in the late 1950s, he can't believe his career could be over. Ridiculed for his enthusiasm by his much-younger teammates, he befriends the team's outcast, a young black pitcher (Glenn Plummer) with a cannon for an arm, and imparts what wisdom he has to offer. A movie that will make you ask: Why isn't Russ a star? --Marshall Fine

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best baseball film you've never seen.., March 1, 2004

By 

Mitch Weaver (Houston, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pastime [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Pastime focuses on two minor league pitchers in the 1950's. The first is an older pitcher named Roy Dean (William Russ). Roy had a "cup of coffee" in the major leagues when he was younger, but was sent back down to the minors shortly after. Years later, he is still playing in the minors and refuses to accept the fact that it is time for him to retire. Roy is told by the team's manager Clyde Bigby (Noble Willingham)that the team owner Peter LaPorte ( Jefferey Tambor)is getting ready to release him. Shortly after, an up and coming African American pitcher named Tyrone( Glen Plummer)joins the team. Tyrone has got a major league arm, but is extremely shy and unsure of himself because he is a 17 year old black kid. Roy sees potential in Tyrone, and takes him under his wing to teach him about the finer points of the game, and more importantly, the finer points of life.

Pastime is perhaps one of the greatest baseball films ever made. It is a shame that no one really knows about it. The film is extremely realistic when it comes to the minor league atmosphere of the 1950's. William Russ and Glen Plummer both do an amazing job in their roles. Pastime also happens to be one of the best "buddy" films I have ever seen because of the relationship that develops between the two. It is very touching to see Roy pass on all his knowledge to Tyrone to help him get to the majors. The reason the film is inspiring, is because both Roy and Tyrone are underdogs. Everyone sees Roy as a pitcher past his prime, and no one takes him seriously. No one on the team respects Tyrone because he is a black man. Watching the two of them face the odds together is amazing. The ending to this film is extremely emotional and definately a tear jerker. It was also extremely satisfying.

Overall, Pastime is one of the best baseball films I have ever seen. William Russ and Glen Plummer offer outstanding performances, and the film is very realistic with both the baseball action and the atmosphere of the 1950's. I highly recommend this film.

A solid 5 stars...

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly great baseball movie, February 10, 2002

By 

Max J. Strubel (Cromwell, CT) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pastime [VHS] (VHS Tape)

A fictional story that captures the essence of minor league baseball in a small town in the 1950's. William Russ (Roy Dean Bream) is great as an aging pitcher, whose dedication and love for the game contrasts with the flippant and immature attitudes of some of the younger players. Glenn Plummer (Tyrone Debray) portrays a 17 year old black pitcher making his start in the minors. Roy Dean becomes friend and mentor to Tyrone. Russ's character has a health condition that is kept secret, revealed in the end of this poignant story. The baseball action is realistic, rare in baseball movies.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best baseball movie ever made, November 17, 1998

By 

Clay Eals "[e-mail]" (Seattle, Washington) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pastime [VHS] (VHS Tape)

... and perhaps the best movie, period, is "Pastime," a perfect blend of character study and morality play, both a slice-of-life and larger-than-life view of minor-league ball in the late 1950s and a portrait of a protagonist worthy of anyone's admiration. The casting and acting (particularly of William Russ in the main role and Noble Willingham as the manager) are superb. All the other elements of the film - its reality, its values, its script (many choice and insightful lines), its cinematography, its music (particularly "Swing Low"), its attention to detail, its real-star cameos - engage both the mind and the heart. The only reason I can see why it has not received more notice is a lack of marketing and big-name stars. "Capra-esque" in the best sense, it puts to shame "Major League" and would-be mythic silliness as "The Natural." - Clay Eals