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Cast
Ben Johnson
as Dwayne Birdsong
Gary Busey
as David Lee Birdsong
Larry Hagman
as Coach Marshall
William Lucking
as Dennis Birdsong
David Doyle
as Mr. Schmidt
Mimi Maynard
as Mary Louise Schmidt
Peggy Rea
as Mrs. Birdsong
Craig Richard Nelson
as Michael Braun
Michael Talbott
as Bubba Montgomery
Val Avery
as Frank Dorsdale
Movie Info & Details
Release Year1973
Runtime1h 13m
LanguageEnglish
CertificationNR
GenresDrama, TV Movie
Votes5
DirectorJerrold Freedman
WritersJerrold Freedman
TypeFeature Film
Rating7.9 out of 10
Cast10 credited
Also Known AsBlood Sport
About Blood Sport
A searing commentary on the "win at all costs" mentality of American high school sports. David Lee Birdsong is the smalltown quarterback hoping to escape with a college scholarship and a pro career. David's father is the overbearing taskmaster vicariously living through his son. The third side of the triangle is Coach Marshall, a hypercritical and cruel man who sees David as the key to his future success. David's lockstep commitment to his father and coach is altered when he witnesses a teammate die after a grueling practice.
Directed by Jerrold Freedman, Blood Sport leans on a strong ensemble — Ben Johnson, Gary Busey, Larry Hagman — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.
The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about drama titles of 1973.
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