An underrated and often misunderstood film that actually deals with personal freedoms and what makes us human.

In the film, people live in a world controlled by corporations that don't want people to think for themselves but simply be obedient. The atmosphere is sinister, tense and almost uncomfortable, and on the face of the main character you can read a kind of constant sadness and a feeling that something is not right. This is occasionally seen in the eyes and faces of other characters, but with Jonathan this is especially evident.

Particularly important and interesting is the conversation between Jonathan and Bartholomew where the conversation reveals that such a corporate society is bureaucratic, heartless and that thinking for yourself is not desirable.

The movie itself is well shot, the cinematography is excellent, and James Caan is great in the role of Jonathan. Effects, neither action nor style are important here, although they are excellent, what really matters here are the deep emotions and the universal message.

An interesting cinematographic work about personal freedoms, individuality and freedom in general.

This is one of the best sci-fi films. What makes it so great is that, like the best sci-fi, it is a metaphor as well as a warning for today. Unlike the stupid and pointless remake of Rollerball that was all action and NO message, this original is far smarter. The writer obviously felt that within us all is the inclination to be turned on by mindless violence and thus able to be controlled as a people.

In this movie, the opiate for the ignorant masses is a mindless game that does NOTHING to improve mankind. Because, it turns out, the corporations that now rule the Earth WANT the public to be stupid and easily controlled through this sick and violent sport. This sounds a lot like pro sports (or Jerry Springer) TODAY! There were several scenes I particularly enjoyed. One was the party in which guests had fun burning down trees with a flame throwing pistol. Although destructive and pointless, it was a "wonderful time had by all". Another was the deliberate juxtaposition (GREAT WORD--I wish this was SCRABBLE) of some of the most moving and beautiful pieces of classical music with violent images. In fact, the soundtrack alone makes this movie a must-see.

As the action is set in the year 2018 for this 1977 film you have to ask yourself just how close are we to the world that Rollerball projects for our future? Decisions in corporate board rooms are becoming more important than those of elected and unelected governments and we are truly in the more civilized sections of the globe becoming obsessed with diversions. Back in Roman days they called it bread and circuses. But even in Roman times certain individuals rose to the top by dint of their skill in the arena. Just look at how Charlton Heston and Stephen Boyd were acclaimed for their skills.

But the corporate powers as signified by John Houseman have devised a game in which the individual must ultimately go down and bloody enough to satisfy the most rabid fan. Rollerball takes some of the most violent elements of football, motocross, hockey, and roller derby and have fashioned a game where death in the arena is almost as common as in Caligula's time. In fact Caligula would have grooved on Rollerball and Commodus might have participated.

James Caan is Jonathan E who because he has survived far longer than any other player is in danger of becoming that most horrible of all things, a star/celebrity. That the corporate world can't permit so he's got to leave the game one way or another. Caan can't quite figure out why his corporate masters want him out so bad, but he learns because in addition to being tough, he's not stupid. He and Houseman are an unmatched, but interesting set of adversaries.

Some other interesting performances in Rollerball are Maud Adams as Caan's ex-wife who was taken from him because some corporate big shot had more pull. She's the ultimate dangle put in front of him to quit the game. There's also John Beck as is teammate and best friend and Ralph Richardson as the keeper of the ultimate computer housed in Geneva that knows all that humankind has learned, but gives out knowledge on a need to know basis.

Rollerball is a look at a sterile world we may have in store for us where individual achievement is a relic of the past. Let's hope we're not headed there.