The Natural poster
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The Natural

1984 · Barry Levinson · 137 min

He lived for a dream that wouldn't die.

Drama
Cast
Robert Redford, Robert Duvall, Glenn Close, Kim Basinger, Wilford Brimley

#93 in the SIFS list

matt majors

Watch history

Pre-screening hints
  • Unlike Ken's "Almost Famous" selection, this movie was not released at the dawn of the millennium.
  • Much like Ken's selection, this movie is a period piece.
  • Categorically, this film touches a genre we've not shown in our 91 past selections.
  • Though this film is fictitious, several scenes/moments are inspired by actual happenings.
  • There are six actors in the movie who earned or were nominated for Oscars.
  • Based on a book, several scenes in the film adaptation were loosely changed, including the ending - changing it from a tragedy to a more triumphant conclusion. I revisited our infamous website last night and realized I should make a minor correction to my hints - while offering an additional hint before tonight...
  • Categorically, we actually HAVE touched this genre a few times.  "Breaking Away", "Cannonball Run", and "Foot Fist Way" qualify as being in a similar category.
  • Bonus clue:  The primary character is played by an actor who was actually nearly three times the age of his character at some points in the movie.  Despite that, critics and fans have always felt this person was a perfect fit for the role.