A middle-aged unknown comes seemingly out of nowhere to become a legendary baseball player with almost supernatural talent.A middle-aged unknown comes seemingly out of nowhere to become a legendary baseball player with almost supernatural talent.A middle-aged unknown comes seemingly out of nowhere to become a legendary baseball player with almost supernatural talent.
- Director
- Writers
- Bernard Malamud(novel)
- Roger Towne(screenplay)
- Phil Dusenberry(screenplay)
- Stars
Top credits
- Director
- Writers
- Bernard Malamud(novel)
- Roger Towne(screenplay)
- Phil Dusenberry(screenplay)
- Stars
- Nominated for 4 Oscars
- 3 wins & 8 nominations total
Videos3
- Director
- Writers
- Bernard Malamud(novel)
- Roger Towne(screenplay)
- Phil Dusenberry(screenplay)
- All cast & crew
- See more cast details at IMDbPro
Storyline
An unknown middle-aged batter named Roy Hobbs with a mysterious past appears out of nowhere to take a losing 1930s baseball team to the top of the league in this magical sports fantasy. With the aid of a bat cut from a lightning struck tree, Hobbs lives the fame he should have had earlier when, as a rising pitcher, he is inexplicably shot by a young woman. —Keith Loh <loh@sfu.ca>
- Taglines
- The best there was!
- Genres
- Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
- PG
- Parents guide
Did you know
- TriviaThe bat that bat boy Bobby Savoy gives Roy is called the "Savoy Special". The Savoy Special was a brand of beer in the 1930s, and was made by the United States Brewing Company. This bat is now in the collection at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York, displayed along with Roy Hobb's jacket in an exhibit titled "Baseball and the Movies".
- GoofsIn the game where Hobbs breaks the Wrigley Field clock, his homer ends the game, as everyone in the stands begins to leave and Hobbs gets mobbed by the press. But since the Knights were the visitors, the Cubs get to bat last.
The movie depicts the 1939 season. Prior to the 1950 season the home team had the option to bat first or last so it was possible for the visiting team to bat in the bottom of an inning.
- Quotes
Iris Gaines: You know, I believe we have two lives.
Roy Hobbs: How... what do you mean?
Iris Gaines: The life we learn with and the life we live with after that.
- Alternate versionsThere is an edited version which was released in several European countries (e.g. United Kingdom, West Germany). This version edits many dialogue and playing scenes to tighten up the pacing. It runs approx. 14 minutes shorter than the US theatrical version.
- ConnectionsFeatured in At the Movies: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom/The Natural (1984)
- SoundtracksThe Star Spangled Banner
Lyrics by Francis Scott Key
Music by John Stafford Smith
Performed by Kate Smith
Courtesy of RCA Records
Top review
A delightful fable pulled off believably and
I really enjoyed watching this movie. It seems like the very embodiment of the Hollywood cliche - a noble hero overcoming difficulty to achieve his dream...but somehow, The Natural manages to pull it off in a very un-glamorized way. Take the hero - he's 35 years old! It just seems refreshing not to always have a dashing young fellow of twenty as the main character. And then - an ulcerated stomach? What kind of an obstacle is that? Not a Hollywood one, I'll tell you that. This hero is actually believable - and Robert Redford plays him handsomely. He makes Roy Hobbs a real person, and a gentleman. I recommend The Natural for any Robert Redford fan, baseball fan - and anyone who just wants to see a neat, entertaining movie with a main character you can really root for.
helpful•6514
- MiriamEB
- Jul 6, 2000
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $28,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $47,951,979
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $5,088,381
- May 13, 1984
- Gross worldwide
- $47,951,979
- Runtime2 hours 18 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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