I discovered this great documentary due to a wrong information provided on this very site not long ago. On Raul Julia's self credits it was marked that he was one of the narrators of this film about baseball player Roberto Clemente, and I thought it'd be excellent to see how Julia was while narrating a film, specially one dedicated to a countrymen of his, another talented Puerto Rican. After a little search, found it, loved the film but nothing of Raul. The only voice behind the images is from Hector Elizondo, also from Puerto Rico. But I'm thankful for that mistake (already corrected), otherwise I'd probably wouldn't hold any interest in finding it or watching it.
The documentary presents a brief but frankly detailed biography of Roberto Clemente, from his early humble beginnings as a talented player, then his difficult rise while playing in more established teams in U.S., his successful stream of recurring hits and victories for the Pittsburgh Pirates that made him a major star (Gold Glove winner for 12 consecutive seasons) until his tragic death in 1972 on a plane crash on route to Nicaragua where he fled to deliver aid to the victims of an earthquake that happened a few days earlier.
I'm not much of a sports fan and I'm even an outsider with little knowledge about the game; but I can assure sports lovers that this film delivers Clemente's records and his many fantastic moments as a player, it's a great historical record with lots of fascinating archive footage. I was more moved about his personal life story, his struggle to live and understand the American culture, it was a difficult period for him not only in dealing with the language and cultural barriers but also in dealing with the other players (he was a bit short tempered); and I also admired his position outside of the game as a man who was involved in charity work back in Puerto Rico and other places, bringing the sport to the lives of many children, and also helping the victims of Managua's earthquake, arranging emergency flights and it was in one of those, that his life was claimed at age 38. For what one can gather here: his life would turn into an excellent biopic.
Mr. Elizondo made an outstanding voice-over work and the film also contains interviews with Clemente's family, friends and many important baseball players and coaches. A work to not be missed. 10/10
The documentary presents a brief but frankly detailed biography of Roberto Clemente, from his early humble beginnings as a talented player, then his difficult rise while playing in more established teams in U.S., his successful stream of recurring hits and victories for the Pittsburgh Pirates that made him a major star (Gold Glove winner for 12 consecutive seasons) until his tragic death in 1972 on a plane crash on route to Nicaragua where he fled to deliver aid to the victims of an earthquake that happened a few days earlier.
I'm not much of a sports fan and I'm even an outsider with little knowledge about the game; but I can assure sports lovers that this film delivers Clemente's records and his many fantastic moments as a player, it's a great historical record with lots of fascinating archive footage. I was more moved about his personal life story, his struggle to live and understand the American culture, it was a difficult period for him not only in dealing with the language and cultural barriers but also in dealing with the other players (he was a bit short tempered); and I also admired his position outside of the game as a man who was involved in charity work back in Puerto Rico and other places, bringing the sport to the lives of many children, and also helping the victims of Managua's earthquake, arranging emergency flights and it was in one of those, that his life was claimed at age 38. For what one can gather here: his life would turn into an excellent biopic.
Mr. Elizondo made an outstanding voice-over work and the film also contains interviews with Clemente's family, friends and many important baseball players and coaches. A work to not be missed. 10/10
