How do you get grown men to cry? Have them watch "Field Of Dreams." How true are host Peter Gallagher's opening statements about this emotional fantasy/ baseball film that is more about fathers-and-sons than the sport.
What I liked about this TV episode/DVD bonus feature, covering this sentimental hit movie, was the information given on the author of the book upon which the movie is based. I also appreciated hearing about all the struggles Phil Alden Robinson went through to have this book put on film. It was amazing the amount of work he put into transforming this book into a successful movie.
W.P. Kinsella wrote "Shoeless Joe," and this movie is based on that book. An unknown author at the time, this program tells us all about Kinsella and has the author, now a gray-bearded older gentleman, discuss his work, too. It's all good stuff. I read the book 25 years ago, discovering it way back shortly after it had been published, so when the film came out I was already familiar with Kinsella's work (plus another baseball book he had written.)
What I didn't know, of course, was how difficult it was to get this film made. I think Robinson did an incredible job, taking a very good book and making it into an even-better screenplay. This is one of those rare cases, in my opinion, where the movie is better than the book.
Weather conditions - the worst drought in 62 years in Iowa - didn't help, either, nor did finding a studio that would back this story. Kudos to everyone connected to this film. I know they have all been rewarded many times over for their efforts. It was noted near the end of this feature how many people have had their lives actually affected by this film, specifically fathers and sons being reunited.
For fans of this movie, this feature is a "must." Please check it out if you own the DVD.
What I liked about this TV episode/DVD bonus feature, covering this sentimental hit movie, was the information given on the author of the book upon which the movie is based. I also appreciated hearing about all the struggles Phil Alden Robinson went through to have this book put on film. It was amazing the amount of work he put into transforming this book into a successful movie.
W.P. Kinsella wrote "Shoeless Joe," and this movie is based on that book. An unknown author at the time, this program tells us all about Kinsella and has the author, now a gray-bearded older gentleman, discuss his work, too. It's all good stuff. I read the book 25 years ago, discovering it way back shortly after it had been published, so when the film came out I was already familiar with Kinsella's work (plus another baseball book he had written.)
What I didn't know, of course, was how difficult it was to get this film made. I think Robinson did an incredible job, taking a very good book and making it into an even-better screenplay. This is one of those rare cases, in my opinion, where the movie is better than the book.
Weather conditions - the worst drought in 62 years in Iowa - didn't help, either, nor did finding a studio that would back this story. Kudos to everyone connected to this film. I know they have all been rewarded many times over for their efforts. It was noted near the end of this feature how many people have had their lives actually affected by this film, specifically fathers and sons being reunited.
For fans of this movie, this feature is a "must." Please check it out if you own the DVD.
