Pacionsbo Absolutely Fantastic

Numerootno A story that's too fascinating to pass by...

Hayden Kane There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

Jonah Abbott There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.

punishmentpark An early, pre-'Psycho', role for Anthony Perkins and the debut film for director Robert Mulligan. It's especially since I saw his (Mulligan) 'The nickel ride' (1974), a terrific crime drama, that I've been wanting to see everything that he ever made. And why not start with his debut? I also saw his classic film 'To kill a mockingbird', and this one is much like that one, in a sense: a heartfelt drama with a good amount of social issues addressed.Perkins does a terrific job playing Jim Piersall, the son of an almost obsessed (but still well-meaning) father who wants his son to play for the Boston Red Sox one day, as does Karl Malden as the father. Perry Wilson has considerable less screen time as the mother, but does a good job nonetheless, and Norma Moore does an admirable job as Jim Piersall's charming sweetheart and later on wife and mother of his child.I must admit I'd never heard of this true story before, but then again, I am no particular fan of baseball or any other sports. The story goes pretty fast, from one pivotal moment to the other, leaving not much room to take in any atmosphere or just get acquainted with the characters. But it's still a pretty good drama, and some particular scenes are dramatically pretty near perfect.A good 7 out of 10.

blanche-2 Jimmy Piersall was a successful baseball player who overcame a nervous breakdown and continued with his career, eventually going into management and finally broadcasting. Eighty-one at the time of this writing, he's still with us."Fear Strikes Out" is Piersall's story, starring Anthony Perkins and Karl Malden. The film takes several liberties with the real events, but it's still effective. Piersall himself didn't like the film.Jimmy is presented as being under constant pressure from his father, who in the film comes off as a good man, but a very determined one. The dream of major league baseball for his son was a vicarious one. Jimmy is sent to the minor leagues by the Boston Red Sox for training. His major problem was that he was not a strong hitter. He was, however, an excellent outfielder. Over time, his behavior becomes more and more erratic and includes hitting and temper tantrums. Eventually he is hospitalized. The film doesn't mention that Piersall was bipolar, but I did read that he was."Fear Strikes Out" is on the strange side, in that one understands Piersall's problems but one also has a certain detachment from them, despite the strong performance by Anthony Perkins. Karl Malden, who could be a very warm actor, is excellent, coming off as tough and somewhat cold. Part of it is that we see the results of Piersall's illness, but not enough of his inner self and the development of it.The ending is kind of abrupt, which is understandable in a way, as events needed to be telescoped. Only one wife, Piersall's first, is mentioned, and I believe only one child. Piersall had three wives; he had nine children with Mary, his first wife.Good performances, some strong baseball scenes - all in all, a good effort if not a great one.

fab_max Astonishing how obsessive some people can get when it comes to their favourite sports. Thankfully in Europe baseball is hardly known, which allows us to get beyond appearances and enjoy one of the most honest, emotionally raw acting ever recorded on film. This is one of Anthony Perkins' best performances ever - the fact that it was only his third movie makes it even more amazing, but obviously Academy voters in that year had too much baseball in their minds to appreciate such a wonderful, unique actor. The first time I saw this film I was a 9 year old with some father issues. This film was a huge shock and got me interested in psychotherapy at a very early age. Many scenes stayed embedded in my mind for years: Tony in the baseball field alone at night, his breakdown in the field, his fear of his father when he has an accident, all his exchanges with his father.... It's not just a tremendous acting turn, though. It's a beautiful, mature, realistic movie, the kind they used to make at that time in Hollywood (influenced by TV drama and Italian neo-realism) and they seemed to have forgotten how to make in this Lords of the Star Wars of Narnia age of childish entertainment. It could be used as an exhibit in the case for the regression to childhood of the American consciousness. I've read Tab Hunter's enormously entertaining book - which I recommend to any lover of Hollywood's golden age - and even he admits he couldn't have made a better job than Tony did. Once in a while the right part goes to the actor who deserves it most. Fear Strikes Out is a true classic and Anthony Perkins' acting is a masterclass of the first order, with as much fire and urgency as anything by Brando and Dean. In fact, as a film director, I'm showing this film to the young leading man in my next movie as reference and inspiration. Wish me luck!

dencar_1 FEAR STRIKES OUT has to be the classic compulsive "sports Dad" movie. I think every father with a son in sports should be required to see this film--especially after what we've seen recently with regard to parents in fist fights at their sons' Little League games. If ever there was an overbearing, driving patriarchal figure trying to live out his past inadequacies through his son in sports, Jimmy Piersall's father was he. In fact, I watch this movie not so much for the Jimmy Piersall story so much as to see Karl Malden's portrayal of John Piersall! Of course, we don't know how much is embellished, but if Mr. Piersall was even half of what is depicted in this movie, it is little wonder that Jimmy Piersall once hit a home run and ran around the bases backwards...Could anyone play a more iron-fisted character than Karl Malden? Watch PARRISH (1963) or BOMBERS B-52 sometime to see the equal of Piersall's Dad in FEAR STRIKES OUT. And Piersall's mother? Again, no one knows how accurate the depiction is, but she is a ghost presence and if that is true, it's just another nail in Piersall's psychological coffin.Even watching this movie as a kid, I was uncomfortable seeing Piersall pounded cruelly again and again by his Dad to do better, to go higher, to do more. Once he's romanced by The Boston Red Sox, Mr. Piersall becomes Jimmy's indispensable "advisor." All of this grows until Jimmy can do nothing without consulting Dad. The result is his father's eternal presence between his ears and the classic breakdown scene at the park when Piersall climbs the fence, an unforgettable moment, especially if you see this as an adolescent.Reviews concerning Anthony Perkins'lack of athletic ability always come up when this movie is discussed. Actually, this was characteristic of most sports movie bio's back in the 1940's and 1950's. Watch William Bendix as Babe Ruth, Ronald Reagan as Grover Cleveland Alexander, or Dan Daily as Dizzy Dean. Routine throwing and catching resembles something you used to see a "nerd" do at school recess. And this movie quirk wasn't present in baseball films only.I've always wondered just who this movie is about: Jimmy Piersall or his father? The scene in which the psychiatrist confronts Mr. Piersall at the sanitarium is painful and very sad. I've also always wondered just what Piersall's thoughts must have been when this movie hit the screens: for his was still active in the major leagues. How many teams did Jimmy Piersall play for? How many fist fights? And his announcing career? Full of controversy. Maybe it would have all happened without John Piersall, but it is doubtful. Next time a boy wishes his father was more into sports, remind him of John Piersall.Exhibit 'A' for all fathers living vicariously through the sports achievements of their sons. Dennis Caracciolo