Fear Strikes Out
1957 · Movie · NR · 100 min · ★ 7.2 · 78% critics
Based on a true sports story, this drama follows a talented baseball player whose rise toward the major leagues is shaped by intense pressure at home and growing emotional strain. It focuses on ambition, family expectations, and the personal cost of chasing perfection.
Also known as The Jim Piersall Story
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Details
- Years
- 1957
- Release date
- 1957-03-28
- Language
- English
- Rated
- NR
- Runtime
- 100 min
- Critic score
- 78/100
- TMDB rating
- 7.2/10 (22 votes)
About
You may like this if you enjoy serious sports dramas like Somebody Up There Likes Me; Not for you if you want light baseball fun or a broad team-focused story.
Pros: powerful performances; emotional family drama; strong baseball backdrop | Cons: dated sports moments; factual liberties; narrow character focus
Themes
- based on novel or book
- boston, massachusetts
- baseball
- massachusetts
- redemption
- mental breakdown
- biography
- based on true story
- family relationships
- overbearing father
- red sox
- baseball player
- +4 more
Awards & recognition
- Directors Guild of America Award — Outstanding Directing – Feature Film · 1957 · nominated
Cast & crew
Anthony Perkins
as Jimmy Piersall
Karl Malden
as John Piersall
Norma Moore
as Mary Piersall
Adam Williams
as Doctor Brown
Perry Wilson
as Mrs. John Piersall
Peter J. Votrian
as Jim Piersall as a Boy
Richard Bull
as Reporter Slade (uncredited)
Morgan Jones
as Sandy Allen (uncredited)
Edd Byrnes
as Boy in Car Assisting Jimmy Up Stairway (uncredited)
Brian G. Hutton
as Bernie Sherwill (uncredited)
Directed by Robert Mulligan