Rollerball is an undervalued film seen from the lens of 30+ years since its release. Directed deftly by Norman Jewison and based on the short story (Roller Ball Murder) and screenplay by William Harrison, the film depicts from the first person almost all the way through. Our hero, Jonathan E, is the greatest player in the world's most popular sport, Rollerball. Therein lies the problem. There are no heroes sanctioned by the world executive cabal in this dystopic utopia. The masses seem pleased with their circumstance in thia future corporate-run society; no poor are filmed, or ghettos, or a broken down vehicle of any kind is remembered. The future is clean and orderly with bread and circuses for the masses.
Jonathan is an unwitting hero - he is blessed with physical skills ideally suited for the sport. He is an all-star among the merely capable. A slight in his past by the Corporate handlers never left him able to forgive their trespass. This helped drive him to power - both in the game and off the field. Jonathan has access to privileges only those of the executive class can attain. He is even able to secure an audience with the world's supercomputer, ZERO, to inquire about the time of "The Corporate Wars." Alas, Jewison's vision of the future gives us a glimpse of the post-kindle, all digitized world. ZERO misplaces certain aspects (and eras) of history and they are gone forever...The Fourteenth History accidentally deleted.
The pressure is on to retire and Jonathan will have none of it, reminding his corporate masters of their past mis-handling of his early life as an up-and-coming Rollerballer.
The film has great vision and tells a strong tale of the importance of independent thinking and belief in principles.
Would love to see a sequel, prequel, reboot.