Final Episode: ESPN’s The Bronx Is Burning
See other The Bronx Is Burning Episode Recaps:
#7 | #6 | #5 | #4 | #3 | #2
ESPN’s latest attempt at a movie miniseries is over… and I wouldn’t call it a creative success. The quick reaction to the eight-hour The Bronx Is Burning: 2 1/2 stars out of 5.
Here’s the expanded opinion:
The producers for ESPN Original Entertainment simply could not fill eight hours. Nor should they have. The first five episodes included the “Son of Sam” parallel plotline, yet it wasn’t parallel at all. It was just sort of there, as if the movie was filling the allotted time rather than driving it. (Probably true.)
The only storylines for the final three episodes revolved around the Yankees soap-opera drama. Was there so little left to say about the rest of NY — the mayoral race, the state of the city, etc. — or did the filmmakers just run out of steam?
The creators did wrap The Bronx Is Burning with a beautiful execution they should’ve worked into previous episodes more regularly. During the film’s post-script, movie footage cuts to actual footage. The detailed effort to recreate real-life scenes is unmistakable, right down to the composition of the shots. It’s a simple effect that leaves you loving the “idea” of the movie, even if the overall eight hours wan’t stellar.
Despite a handful of entertaining performances — Erik Jensen as Thurman Munson became a fan favorite — the Reggie Jackson vs. Billy Martin vs. George Steinbrenner thing just got tired over eight weeks. I can imagine how New York baseball fans felt seeing it in the paper every day for six months in 1977.
FINAL EPISODE “DVD EXTRAS”
Titled “Mr. October,” this features interviews about the Game 6 magic of Reggie Jackson, a guy that simply refused to have his talent questioned at season’s end. Was there ever a guy in sports who talked the talk and walked the walk so emphatically? (Okay, I’ll give you Muhammad Ali.)
DVD RELEASE
Speaking of DVDs, the 3-disc special edition will be released on September 25. ESPN is promising over two hours of behind-the-scenes goodies. The retail price is $39.99, but I’ve seen pre-order prices a lot cheaper.
QUESTION: What other sports story would make for a good miniseries? TELL US
Other Posts of Interest
- Episode 6: ESPN Miniseries “The Bronx Is Burning”
- Episode 7: ESPN Miniseries “The Bronx Is Burning”
- Episode #2 Summary: Yankees ESPN Miniseries “The Bronx Is Burning”
- ESPN’s “The Bronx Is Burning”: Episode #3 Recap
- Episode Summary #1: Yankees Miniseries “The Bronx is Burning”
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