Episode 7: ESPN Miniseries “The Bronx Is Burning”
See previous episode recaps:
#6 | #5 | #4 | #3 | #2
A terribly uneven episode. The first 20 minutes are basically an edited rebroadcast of ABC’s coverage of the 1977 World Series. As a baseball chronicle, it’s just great — as a movie, it’s just boring. (But hearing that old ABC theme music was like an aural time machine.)
We’re missing a reason to really pull for the Bronx Bombers in the Series, even though we’ve spent six hours with them in this film. Reggie Jackson (Daniel Sunjata) is always a curious character, but I think regular viewers would like to see how Thurman Munson (Erik Jensen) enjoys the World Series limelight.
SUMMARY
:: There’s some funny behind-the-scenes stuff showing how George Steinbrenner (Oliver Platt) selected who threw out honorary first pitches at Games 1 & 2. Before Game 2, he pulls over to the side of the road and picks a 4-year-old boy walking down the street with his father.
:: The Reggie vs. Billy Martin (John Turturro) routine continues and matures. Billy pulls his star in Game #1… and looks like a genius when replacement Paul Blair gets the game-winning hit.
:: In between humorous shots of Reggie reading “I’m OK, You’re OK,” and Billy and Yogi watching the Three Stooges, there’s an abundance of actual game footage, occasionally accompanied by a Ramones hit. The whole shebang’s getting a little old.
:: There’s a somber moment when Munson tells a sportswriter he has to stay grumpy — otherwise people will think he’s a lousy ballplayer.
INTERVIEW EXTRAS
One of the longest and best extras of the series examines the complicated relationship between Steinbrenner, Martin and Jackson, with commentary by the surviving pair and Billy Martin, Jr.
For all three, their fire and anger is atrributed to their upbringings: Steinbrenner’s stern father, Martin’s mother, and the predominantly white neighborhood of Jackson’s youth.
The extras end with footage of Reggie digging in for his first at-bat in Game #6 of the World Series. For you baseball fans, you know what’s coming next… See you next week.
Miss the episode? It’s available online via ABC: The Bronx Is Burning Episode #7
Other Posts of Interest
- Episode 6: ESPN Miniseries “The Bronx Is Burning”
- Episode Summary #1: Yankees Miniseries “The Bronx is Burning”
- ESPN’s “The Bronx Is Burning”: Episode #3 Recap
- Episode #5: ESPN Miniseries “The Bronx Is Burning”
- Final Episode: ESPN’s The Bronx Is Burning
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