The new film dramatizing the life of Jackie Robinson, the first baseball player to break the colour barrier, is in a theatre near you. Rotten Tomatoes has is hovering around 80 percent, which isn't bad. Some critics complain that it is a hagiography, turning Robinson into a saint. This is ironic given that nothing is said about Robinson's strong Christian faith. Branch Rickey, the owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers, was also a Christian and actually read to Robinson from the Sermon on the Mount when they first met as encouragement.
In these chapters of Matthew's gospel Jesus says "blessed are the peacemakers" and "blessed are you when you are reviled and persecuted" as well as inviting his listeners to turn the other cheek when struck. While in the film Rickey, played by Harrison Ford, tells Robinson that he is looking for a player who won't fight back, there is no mention of the teachings of Jesus. It's interesting that the writers and producers of the film decided to leave this essential underpinning for Robinson's determination to play the game without retaliation out of the retelling. They certainly wouldn't have omitted that he was a person of colour!
Do you know much about Jackie Robinson's story? After Robinson was signed he played minor league ball in Montreal as the first black player. What do you think about leaving his faith out of the movie?
2 comments:
He was a pioneer, and he was GOOD. Only guy to have his number hanging in every stadium in the majors. Wayne Gretzky's the only other pro athlete to share that distinction.
Haven't seen the movie, though I know his story. In Hollywood, they naturally leave things out for whatever reason (to advance the story, keep the pace/flow moving, etc.) Not sure why they'd do this, but as you point out, his faith is at least alluded to, somehow.
It's also cool how Jackie started in Montreal. I kinda like that Canada was cool with him swinging his bat up here, first.
Thought the movie was good, but what a tough scene to sit through, with the Phillies coach verbally abusing Robinson during the game with nonstop racist garbage.
The sad part is apparently this was a true representation of the coach, and this incident really did happen. Appalling.
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