Eight Men Out
The Scandal That Rocked A Nation!
This "authentic, funny and very touching" (Sneak Previews) film about the infamous 1919 Chicago White Sox scandal scored a home run with audiences across the globe! And now, in celebration of its 20th Anniversary, this Special Edition DVD serves up a thrilling grand slam of special features including a behind-the-scenes commentary, a documentary and more! John Cusack and Charlie Sheen lead a "superb ensemble of actors" (Newsweek) as young idealistic players on the White Sox, who, despite being pennant winners, are treated with disdain by their penny-pinching owner/manager. Ripe for a money-making scheme, the demoralized team agrees to throw the World Series. But when they're defeated, a couple of sports writers smell a fix, and a national scandal explodes, ripping the cover off America's favorite pastime in "the movie baseball fans have been waiting for" (USA Today).
Member Reviews
Not Bad - Defnitely if You're a Baseball Fan - Duber
We waited for this movie for quite a while. The good points. I'd say this was a great history type movie and done in a fashion that kept one interested in expressing this part of history. I learned a lot by watching this movie. Overall though it didn't live up to my expectations. Both my wife and I found it hard at the beginning to follow the story line and it was grasping our attention for the first little while.For Love or Money - MadHatter
The last few years have been a strange time for baseball. Great feats are happening on the field while dark clouds of scandal hover overhead. It's enough to drive you from the ballpark for good...and to think about the last time the sport had this many problems.
EIGHT MEN OUT is one of the best baseball movies ever, and tells the story of the 1919 Black Sox scandal. They were a team that were stacked from top to bottom, heavy favorites to handily take the championship. Instead, 8 players conspired with gamblers to take their money and take a dive. Say what you will about records falling to drug-using cheaters- for my money, an entire team tanking a playoff series for money is far worse.
The story is well paced, and doesn't waste much time setting the table..."The White Sox are an amazing team. Their owner is a cheapskate. Let's move on." The players are really well cast, and do a great job of varying their performances.
D.B. Sweeney is perfect as Shoeless Joe Jackson, the star who lets his game do the talking, and never does a thing to let his team lose...but takes the money anyway. David Strathairn is Eddie Cicotte, the veteran pitcher benched out of a bonus who loses a game for the gamblers single-handed. And John Cusack, who gives his first REALLY great performance as Buck Weaver, the eighth man in whose conscience gets the better of him, but is still guilty by association.
The team finds ways of losing, mostly in obvious fashion. Their fans, their manager, and their owner can't believe it's all just bad luck. they're proved right pretty quickly. The movie features the famous "Say it ain't so, Joe" line...innocently asked by a pip squeaked kid on the courthouse steps. Sadly, Joe CAN'T say it ain't so. Joe can't say anything at all.
EIGHT MEN OUT is not just another "sports movie". It's a look into an American scandal that proved that the love of the game will only get you so far, sooner or later, it comes down to money.Really Good Baseball Movie - showtunegirl
I read the book Eight Men Out by Eliot Asinoff earlier this year and loved it. I have wanted to see this particular movie for some time and am especially happy that I did. It is a very interesting look at baseball, warts and all. Even though the 'eight' players, in my opinion deserved what they got, the movie forces you to look at extenuating circumstances surrounding their actions. It makes you wonder what actually goes on today in the world of organized ball. A movie that is both well acted and insightful.
Member Reviews
Read All...
Not Bad - Defnitely if You're a Baseball Fan - Duber
We waited for this movie for quite a while. The good points. I'd say this was a great history type movie and done in a fashion that kept one interested in expressing this part of history. I learned a lot by watching this movie. Overall though it didn't live ...For Love or Money - MadHatter
The last few years have been a strange time for baseball. Great feats are happening on the field while dark clouds of scandal hover overhead. It's enough to drive you from the ballpark for good...and to think about the last time the sport had this many problems.
EIGHT ...Really Good Baseball Movie - showtunegirl
I read the book Eight Men Out by Eliot Asinoff earlier this year and loved it. I have wanted to see this particular movie for some time and am especially happy that I did. It is a very interesting look at baseball, warts and all. Even though the 'eight' ...