Brian's Song

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Brian's Song

G

1971

1h 14m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

86%

Tomatometer

14 Reviews

82%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Brian Piccolo (James Caan) and Gale Sayers (Billy Dee Williams) are teammates on the mid-1960s Chicago Bears. At a time when professional football still bears a certain amount of race-based segregation, the growing friendship between the white Piccolo and the black Sayers, as well as their wives, Joy (Shelley Fabares) and Linda (Judy Pace), becomes a symbol of harmony during the civil rights era. That bond grows stronger still when Piccolo receives some shattering and unexpected news.

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Critics Consensus

Buoyed by standout performances from James Caan and Billy Dee Williams, Brian's Song is a touching tale of friendship whose central relationship transcends its standard sports movie moments.

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John J. O'Connor

New York Times

Aug 31, 2016

On its own, somewhat obvious level, Brian's Song worked. Not least in its favor were two exceptionally fine performances: James Caan as Brian Piccolo and Billy Dee Williams as Gale Sayers.

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Dec 22, 2010

4/5

Weepy story of interracial pro football teammates.

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Pat Graham

Chicago Reader

Jan 25, 2008

Made-for-TV eyewash for disheartened Bears fans to drown their sorrows in.

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Don Shanahan

Cinephile Hissy Fit Podcast

Dec 21, 2025

"Brian's Song" gets to the heart of true men in the most touching way without dwelling on unnecessary external conflicts.

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JD Duran

InSession Film

Aug 15, 2024

C+

The emotional moments near the end are hard to get to with cluttered cheesiness that fills the first two acts of the film and it doesn't have the depth to reach most people who don't know the story that well.

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Tom Meek

Cambridge Day

Oct 3, 2020

4/4

One of the all-time great sports dramas to grace the screen.

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Robert P

@Superbad Sep 7, 2026

Brian's Song = a *4* star movie!

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Feb 9, 2026

Based on a true story in 1 hour and 14 minutes. All ages admitted. The cast is out-of-this-world.

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John Y.

@JYJr16 Jan 7, 2026

One of the best made-for-TV movies ever made.

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Gary K

@RT34064813 Jun 16, 2025

First time I watched this in decades (probably since its original airing!) It still packs the same punch. Just the first few strains of the theme music brings tears. This might have been a "made for TV" movie but had it been a feature film it would have been Oscar worthy!

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Joel H

@786Joel Nov 3, 2023

Brian's Song is a sappy made-for-TV movie intentionally designed to tug on the heartstrings of anyone who watches it. But here's the thing, it's the good kind of sappy. This film is like maple syrup. It's sweet and inoffensive as it dramatizes this heartbreaking true story. Plus, both Billy Dee Williams and James Caan are so charismatic in their roles that you can't help but like them, and you believe they are best friends. So yes, Brian's Song may induce some eye-rolls from people who don't like melodramatic stories, but I found it to be an inspiring film about friendship in the face of adversity.

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Dec 1, 2021

A very young James Caan and Billy Dee Williams The incredible true story of Gayle Sayers and Brian Piccolo Two men in the mid-1960s from other parts of the country; competing for the same job, one is black one is white, fighting first then friends later They play for the Chicago bears but at this time race-based segregation was still common Yet their growing friendship as well as bonding between their wives presents much needed hope for the civil rights era Tragedy then strikes testing their friendship This was the true story about love shared by white guy nicknamed Pic and the friend he dubbed Black Magic had both football and facts in its favor to help deflect a racial animus still infecting television in the early 1970s One of the shortest films ever but remains a monumental sports drama for airing on tv

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Buzz Kulik

Director

James Caan

Brian Piccolo

Billy Dee Williams

Gale Sayers

Jack Warden

Coach George Halas

Shelley Fabares

Joy Piccolo

Judy Pace

Linda Sayers

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91%

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Synopsis

Brian Piccolo (James Caan) and Gale Sayers (Billy Dee Williams) are teammates on the mid-1960s Chicago Bears. At a time when professional football still bears a certain amount of race-based segregation, the growing friendship between the white Piccolo and the black Sayers, as well as their wives, Joy (Shelley Fabares) and Linda (Judy Pace), becomes a symbol of harmony during the civil rights era. That bond grows stronger still when Piccolo receives some shattering and unexpected news.

Director: Buzz Kulik
Producer: Paul Junger Witt
Production Co: Screen Gems Television
Rating: G, TV-PG
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 27, 2013
Runtime: 1h 14m

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