Overview
Two baseball legends clash in a historic race for glory, revealing the heart of America's favorite pastime.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- serious
- intimate
- nostalgic
- sports movie night
- baseball season
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the television biographical drama for its performances, historical sports atmosphere, and compelling treatment of the Maris-Mantle rivalry.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Roger Maris's pursuit of Babe Ruth's home-run record is framed through the cultural weight attached to an iconic sports benchmark.
Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle pursue the same record while receiving sharply different levels of popularity and media attention.
Maris's record chase unfolds amid observers' expectations, comparisons with Mantle, and the burden of challenging Ruth's legacy.
The 1961 New York Yankees season is presented as a defining moment in American baseball culture and historical memory.
Films like 61*, and why
The Pride of the Yankees
baseball-centered biographical drama focused on athletic achievement, public pressure, and historical legacy
The Express
sports biographical drama examining a celebrated athlete under intense public scrutiny and personal strain
Chariots of Fire
historical sports drama about competition, record-setting ambition, and contrasting personalities
Movie Details
- Director
- Billy Crystal
- Release Date
- 2001-04-28
- Runtime
- 129 min
- Rating
- 7.0 / 10 (152)
Cast
- Barry Pepper
- Thomas Jane
- Anthony Michael Hall
- Richard Masur
- Bruce McGill
- Chris Bauer
- Jennifer Crystal Foley
- Christopher McDonald
- Haynes Brooke
- Bob Gunton
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- HBO Max Amazon Channel, HBO Max
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is 61* about?
- A reserved Yankee and his flamboyant teammate become rivals and companions in a pressure-cooker race to surpass Babe Ruth’s legendary home-run record.
- What is 61* like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of 61* as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is 61* violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in 61*.
- What did critics think of 61*?
- Critics broadly praised the television biographical drama for its performances, historical sports atmosphere, and compelling treatment of the Maris-Mantle rivalry.
- Which films are like 61*?
- Films with a similar feel include The Pride of the Yankees, The Express, and Chariots of Fire.
- How long is 61*?
- 61* runs 129 minutes.
- Where can I watch 61*?
- In United States, 61* streams on HBO Max Amazon Channel, HBO Max.
