Watch Jackie Robinson: My Story

Jackie Robinson: My Story is a biographical drama film that portrays the early life and struggles of the legendary baseball player, Jackie Robinson. The film was released in 2003 and was directed by Brian Helgeland. The story begins with Jackie Robinson, played by Andre Braugher, as a young boy living in Pasadena, California in the 1920s. Jackie is shown as a talented athlete who excels in various sports such as football, basketball, and track. However, he faces racial discrimination on a daily basis due to his skin color. Jackie's older brother, Mack, played by Charles S. Dutton, is also an aspiring athlete who supports and mentors Jackie throughout his journey.

As Jackie grows older, he attends UCLA but gets expelled after protesting against racial segregation on the campus. He then joins the Negro League Baseball team, the Kansas City Monarchs, where he plays alongside other black baseball players. At this time, segregation in America was still prevalent, and black athletes were not allowed to play in major league baseball.

The film portrays how Robinson's talent and determination caught the attention of Brooklyn Dodgers owner, Branch Rickey, played by Delroy Lindo. Rickey was determined to break the color barrier in baseball and selected Robinson to be the player to integrate the major leagues. Rickey knew that Robinson would face immense pressure and racism, but he believed that Robinson had the character and perseverance to overcome it.

The film portrays Robinson's struggle on and off the field as he tries to integrate into a sport dominated by white players and fans. Robinson is shown being heckled and physically attacked by opposing players, fans, and even his own teammates. However, Robinson perseveres and proves himself to be one of the best players in the league. The film also portrays the support that Robinson received from his wife, Rachel, played by Ruby Dee, who is shown as a strong and independent woman who stands by her husband through thick and thin.

One of the crucial moments in Robinson's career is when he is asked to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee, which was investigating alleged communist infiltration in sports. Robinson refuses to name names and speaks out against racial discrimination, which he believes is a far greater threat to America than communism. This scene showcases Robinson's patriotism and commitment to social justice.

The film also portrays the relationship between Robinson and his father, played by Billy Mayo. Robinson's father is shown as a proud and stern man who expects a lot from his son but also recognizes the immense pressure that Robinson faces. The father-son relationship is explored throughout the film, and it adds an emotional layer to the story.

Overall, Jackie Robinson: My Story is a moving and inspiring film that showcases the struggles and triumphs of one of the most iconic figures in sports history. The film does an excellent job of portraying the racial discrimination that Robinson faced both on and off the field and the immense pressure he was under as an African American athlete trying to break the color barrier in baseball. The acting is superb, with Andre Braugher delivering a powerful performance as Jackie Robinson. The film is a must-watch for anyone interested in sports or social justice.

Jackie Robinson: My Story is a 2013 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 6 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0.