Rollerball (1975, Norman Jewison)

A small victory.

Today begins a new four-film themed series, American Dystopias, a quartet of light, escapist fantasies that depict America¹ as an oppressive, conformist hellscape of our own making, all of which in no way reflect on our own reality, why would you say that. As always, there are spoilers here, so read with care. Thanks!

What is it? Rollerball, directed by Norman Jewison, written by William Harrison, based on “Roller Ball Murder” by William Harrison, and starring James Caan, John Houseman, Maud Adams, Moses Gunn, Pamela Hensley and introducing Sir Ralph Richardson as The Librarian.

First viewing? No; first viewed 21 September 2020 (where I was so perplexed by it, I didn’t even give it a Letterboxd rating), followed by two more viewings, 24 February 2025 and 2 March 2025.

What’s it about? In a future where corporations have taken over the world and eliminated poverty and want, Jonathan E. (Caan) is the most famous and beloved rollerball player in history. But when he’s told by the Energy Corporation, headed by Mr. Bartholomew (Houseman), to retire, Jonathan resists.

What are your thoughts about it?

Rollerball is a confounding movie, one almost based on false advertising. It looks like a sports movie; it is, after a fashion. It looks like a dystopian science fiction story; it’s definitely that, but in an unexpected way. The actual film, though, is like “Bartleby the Scrivener” told in a style that alternates between New Line Cinema exploitation and European art film every other scene. The plot is exceedingly thin. Jonathan E. wants to know why the Energy Corporation wants him to retire, and he never finds out. The End.

~

The Corporation has given Jonathan everything. He has a ranch. He has a “privilege card,” which I believe is this world’s version of having lots of cash. He has a succession of pretty companions, who’ll do whatever he wants. Oh sure, he doesn’t get to choose his companion, but does that really matter? I mean, he did have a wife, and she was taken away from him because an executive wanted her, but does that really matter? Everyone, in the board room, in the bed room, on the rollerball track, is replaceable. Anyway, what reason could Jonathan give to say no? Rollerball will eventually cripple him if it doesn’t kill him, so why not retire when they ask him to? The Corporation will make sure he’s comfortable in retirement. What could he possibly want that he doesn’t already have?

It shouldn’t bother him. But it does.

~

Names in Rollerball come in four varieties. There are those that only have a first name: Ella, Mackie, Daphne, Cletus, Rusty. All of these are closely aligned with the Corporation. Then there are those that only seem to have a nickname: Moonpie, Tuffy, Blue, all rollerball players. There are some that only seem to have last names. The only one we meet is Mr. Bartholomew. That his last name could also be a first name suggests that maybe he, too, only has a first name, and it’s the “Mr.” that designates him as an executive. Finally, there is Jonathan E., the one person who appears to have a first and last name. Except: that last name is abridged, edited, censored. It probably stands for Energy. Unlike everyone else he’s… almost a complete person.

One of my weird… “hobbies” I guess you might say, is collect photos of people that I think look like they were drawn by famous comic book artists. There’s a still of Robert De Niro in HEAT and Ralph Fiennes in STRANGE DAYS where they look like they were drawn by John Byrne, and there’s a pic of Julia Louis-Dreyfus that looks like she stepped out of Kyle Baker’s WHY I HATE SATURN. Here, Caan, to me, looks an awful lot like a Steve Ditko drawing.

Moonpie is Jonathan’s rollerball brother and his rollerball son, his rollerball partner and designated rollerball successor. Jonathan is #6; Moonpie is #9. Moonpie is the path not taken. Moonpie doesn’t reflect on anything, operating only on pure instinct and appetite. If the Corporation asked Moonpie to retire, he’d do it, no questions asked. Moonpie doesn’t use his brain, and it’s taken from him.

~

“They’re afraid of you,” says Jonathan’s friend Cletus, a former rollerball coach turned executive. He’s been tasked by Jonathan with figuring out why he’s been asked to retire. This answer is the best he can come up with. What, precisely, are they afraid of? Jonathan is very popular; as rollerball is the only form of mass media we see, he’s possibly the most popular person in the world. If Jonathan asked them to jump, would the whole world ask, How high?

~

Each of the Corporations has a number of cities under their control; The Energy Corporation controls Houston. Cletus also can’t remember which corporation controls Indianapolis. Cletus can barely remember the Corporation Wars that led to their current reality, and he lived through them. Jonathan tries to learn his world’s history so he can make sense of its present, but there are no books anymore, just digitized summaries. Summaries, by definition, leave out details, exceptions, subtlety. There is a computer that supposedly knows everything, but it’s possibly been sabotaged (“We’ve lost the 13th century.”) Jonathan keeps footage of his ex-wife that he watches, possibly compulsively, the only thing he has that indicates a personal history. The closest thing this world has to a historical record is Jonathan E.’s career — there’s enough of it to make a television special.

Presented without comment.

But how would Jonathan get a political message across? From the rollerball arena? Seems unlikely. But that’s not what closes off this possibility. What closes it off is that there’s no indication that Jonathan is dissatisfied with the status quo. All he wants is a reason why he should step down.

~

The Corporation provides everything to the people they rule over. They even named their subordinate corporations after these provisions: Transport, Food, Communication, Housing, Luxury and Energy. These six words represent all a person needs in this world. Rollerball the game seems to exist outside of these categories; each of the subordinate corporations has a stake in it. It’s kind of a seventh subsidiary. Call it the Violence Corporation.

~

There is no Art Corporation. “Where does the music come from?” asks Cletus. What possible benefit could it be to the Corporation for people to make art? This concept was beyond the filmmakers in 1975, but it follows that art in this world is AI generated.

One of Mr. Bartholomew’s equals on the Corporate board. From what I can tell, each subsidiary has a color. Energy is orange. This guy is dark blue. There’s also yellow, purple, green, and white or perhaps light blue.

Mr. Bartholomew says three things that could be interpreted as a reason for wanting Jonathan to retire. “The game was created to demonstrate the futility of individual effort.” “No player is greater than the game itself.” “It’s not a game a man is supposed to grow strong in.” None of them are satisfying. Even if the game demonstrates the futility of individual effort, doesn’t it demonstrate the utility of collective effort? Isn’t Jonathan’s success in rollerball just as much luck as it is skill? Won’t those skills degrade as he ages? Why is it so important that he retire now?

~

“Yes, they’re all androids. They’re all programmed.” “That’s right, the whole game is played by robots.” — Two party guests as Mr. Bartholomew’s mansion.

~

There is no Love Corporation. I assume that a rough equivalent is provided by the Luxury Corporation, through the various companions. The executives at the party greet each other by stroking each others’ cheeks, a forced demonstration of familiarity that paradoxically reveals distance, alienation. Love has been squeezed out of this world. The pills that the characters pop might be a chemical replacement for it, but it’s clearly inadequate. There is no love, but there is adoration. Not for the various corporations that provide each and every citizen with everything they need from cradle to grave. No, there is only adoration for Jonathan.

Moonpie is taken out. One thing I didn’t have room for was Jewison’s is clearly entranced with Kubrick; much of the film has Kubrick’s signature “coldness,” and this moment, in slow motion, seems obviously indebted to A CLOCKWORK ORANGE.

Rollerball has too much of some things and not enough of others. We learn a lot about rollerball — the rules, the strategies, the culture — but almost nothing about what day to day life is like. Nearly all of it is from Jonathan’s point of view. There is a limit to what Jonathan can see, because of the Corporation, but also because of his status. Who makes his ranch house clean and picture-perfect? The live-in companion? Or are there workers who come in when Jonathan’s not there? Furthermore, where are the factories that make all the things the citizens need? Are they automated? Where do the raw materials come from? Are there parts of the world, hidden from these citizens, that are exploited and turned into consumer goods? Are the Corporate Wars actually over?²

~

Perhaps I’m making too many assumptions about the chronology here. Perhaps the Corporation doesn’t become afraid of Jonathan until after he refuses to retire.

~

The closest thing to police we see are various men dressed in vaguely military attire. They never seem to have occasion to hurt, kill, or even apprehend anyone, because we never see anyone break the law, whatever the law might be. The only weapon seen, outside of rollerball, is a handgun that someone brings out at Mr. Bartholomew’s party. It’s unlike any gun in our world — one shot can cause massive damage, like a tank. Here, it’s treated like a novelty, a toy. One can only imagine what could happen were it used against the Corporation. All anyone can think to do with it is blow up some trees.

The Librarian: “Not much in the 13th century. Just Dante…

It’s possible the Corporation doesn’t even really know why they want Jonathan to retire. It’s just an urge, a notion, one that bubbled up through the corporate body, like a belch or a fart. They don’t answer to anyone, so no justification is necessary.

~

The person firing the strange gun is Mackie. Mackie was Jonathan’s live-in companion, but the Corporation removed her from her position. There are indications that Mackie had deeper feelings for Jonathan than required, and that this is why she was removed. Mackie takes great pleasure in shooting up Mr. Bartholomew’s mansion grounds, blowing up each of the giant trees on his property. Until she doesn’t anymore and she’s overcome with tears. Perhaps because all she’s done is destroyed something beautiful.

…and a few corrupt popes.”

Jonathan had a wife, Ella, and she was taken from him. The more he resists retiring, the more pushback he gets from the Corporation, resulting in rollerball becoming increasingly more dangerous for everyone involved, not just Jonathan and his teammates but the rival teams as well. The more pushback Jonathan gets, the more demands he makes. He finally demands Ella back. He gets her, but soon discovers it’s just another ploy by the Corporation to get him to cooperate. Jonathan, his love corrupted by the Corporation, does the most extreme thing possible: not just reject Ella, but delete all their photos together. His only history is now rollerball, a game about travelling in circles.

~

“I love this game!” — Jonathan E.

How many stars out of five? Four and half ten pound rollerballs out of five. A good time to note, again, that the rating is more about enthusiasm and enjoyment than any kind of “objective” consideration of quality. I really, really like this movie.

Where can I stream it? As of this writing (4/19/25), Rollerball can be streamed for free from Pluto, FuboTV, MGM+, and Philo, and rented or purchased from Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, and Fandango at Home.

What can we take from it? Haven’t had a new focus for the Cypher System in a hot minute, and sometimes the most obvious choice is the best choice, so here’s Rollerballs. Most of these abilities are re-skinned and retitled abilities from the core rulebook.

ROLLERBALLS

You professionally play the roughest, toughest game on two skates: rollerball. A rollerball team has three positions: runner (the ones who throws the ball to score), skater (the ones who blocks for the runners) and biker (the ones who drive the motorcycles). This focus is designed so that a character can follow a “track” specializing in a rollerball position, but are under no obligation to do so. Please note that while playing, rollerball players wear padding that provides 1 point of armor against crashes, mishaps, etc. but does not provide defense against melee attacks. Furthermore, when wielded, the rollerball itself is considered a medium weapon.

Tier 1: Basic Rollerball Training

Tier 1: Get the Fist

Tier 2: Rollerball Specialization

Tier 2: The Houston Stride (runner) or Self-Defense (skater) or Guard Your Man (biker)

Tier 3: Privilege Card

Tier 3: Break the Wall (runner) or Hit and Run (skater) or Protect the Runner (biker)

Tier 4: Hell on Wheels

Tier 4: Strip the Ball (runner) or Hustle and Scoop (skater) or Dodge and Weave (biker)

Tier 5: Rally the Team (runner) or Disarming Blitz (skater) or Distracting Blows (biker)

Tier 6: Go for the Goal (runner) or Swoop (skater) or Motorcade (biker)

ABILITIES

Basic Rollerball Training: You are trained in rollerskates, motorcycles and throwing. Enabler.

Get the Fist: You are trained in unarmed attacks, as well as melee attacks with a rollerball in your hand.

Rollerball Specialization: Choose one: specialization in rollerskates, motorcycles, or throwing. Enabler.

The Houston Stride (2 Intellect points): You call out to your teammates, to long range distance. All allied creatures who respond by moving to within an immediate distance of you within the next few rounds gain one asset on any one attack or defense task within the next hour that you suggest. Action to initiate.

Self-Defense (3 Speed points): You automatically block the next melee attack made against you within the next minute. Action to initiate.

Guard Your Man: You designate a single character to be your charge. You can change this freely every round, but you can have only one charge at a time. As long as that charge is within immediate range, they gain an asset for Speed defense tasks because you have their back. Enabler.

Privilege Card: You are getting to be a well-known and respected rollerball player. You can be seated at any restaurant, be let into any government building, be invited to any show or sports event (even if they’re sold out), get a seat at a private function of any sort, or get into any club, no matter how exclusive. When dealing with someone who can’t or won’t immediately give in to your desire, you gain an asset on all tasks related to persuasion if that person recognizes you or is convinced that you’re a celebrity even if they don’t recognize you. This ability also allows you access to small items that would be otherwise difficult to obtain (certain drugs, weapons, etc.). Enabler.

Break the Wall: You gain +3 to your Might Pool. You can attempt a Might task to avoid being knocked down, pushed back, or moved against your will even if the effect attempting to move you doesn’t allow it. If you apply Effort to this task, you can apply two free levels of Effort. Enabler.

Hit and Run (4 Might points): You can move a short distance and make a melee attack that inflicts 2 additional points of damage. Action.

Protect the Runner (3 Intellect points): Choose one character immediate distance from you. That character becomes your charge for ten minutes. You are trained in all tasks involving finding, healing, interacting with, and protecting your charge. Also, while you are within immediate distance of your charge, both of you have an asset on Speed defense tasks. You can have only one charge at a time. Action to initiate.

Hell on Wheels: Any actions taken while wearing rollerskates or riding a motorcycle (choose one) are eased one step. Enabler.

Strip the Ball (3 Speed points): Your attack inflicts 1 point less damage and disarms your foe so that their weapon or held rollerball is now 10 feet (3 m) away on the ground. Action.

Hustle and Scoop (2 Speed points): You can run a short distance and make a melee attack to grab a foe of your size or smaller, or to grab a loose rollerball. A successful attack means you grab the foe or rollerball. You can bring the foe to a halt if it was moving (this can be treated as a tackle, if appropriate). Action.

Dodge and Weave (3 Speed points): For the next minute, you can ignore obstacles that slow your movement, allowing you to travel at normal speed through areas with rubble, fences, tables, and similar objects that you would have to climb over or move around. This applies to any vehicle you are piloting. This movement might include sliding on a railing, briefly running along a wall, or even stepping on a creature to boost yourself over something. If an obstacle would normally require a Might or Speed task to overcome, such as swinging on a rope, balancing on a rope, or jumping over a hole, you are trained in that task. Enabler.

Rally the Team (6 Intellect points): You speak words of encouragement and inspiration. All allies within short range who can hear you immediately gain a recovery roll, gain an immediate free action, and have an asset for that free action. The recovery roll does not count as one of their normal recovery rolls. Action.

Disarming Blitz (5 Speed points): You attempt a Speed task to disarm a foe as part of your melee attack. If you succeed, your attack inflicts 3 additional points of damage and the target’s weapon is knocked from their grip, landing up to 20 feet (6 m) away. If you fail, you still attempt your normal attack, but you don’t inflict the extra damage or disarm the opponent if you hit. Action.

Distracting Blows: If you are wearing rollerball gloves or riding a motorcycle, you can block attacks made against an ally near you. Choose one creature within immediate range. You provide an asset to that creature’s Speed defense tasks. You can’t use Quick Block while using Distracting Blows. Enabler.

Go for the Goal: You are trained in all defense tasks. Enabler.

Swoop (6 Speed points): You move up to a short distance and attack up to four different foes as a single action as long as they are all along your path. One of the foes can be on a motorcycle. Any modifiers that apply to one attack apply to all the attacks you make. If you have another special ability that allows you to move and take an action, you gain an asset to attacking these foes. Action.

Motorcade: When you help someone with a task and they apply a level of Effort, they get a free level of Effort on that task. Enabler.