North Dallas Forty
1979 · Movie · R · 119 min · ★ 6.7 · 82% critics
This semi-fictional drama follows a veteran pro football player as his team pushes toward a crucial late-season matchup. Off the field, he navigates pain, pressure, and a win-at-all-costs culture, while clashing with coaches and executives who treat the sport like a business.
Where to watch
Streaming on MGM+.
2 hours to watch.
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Details
- Years
- 1979
- Release date
- 1979-08-03
- Language
- English
- Rated
- R
- Runtime
- 119 min
- Critic score
- 82/100
- TMDB rating
- 6.7/10 (74 votes)
About
You’ll likely enjoy this if you want a cynical, adult-leaning look at pro football’s physical toll and business pressures, more drama than game highlights; Not for you if you want nonstop sports action like Varsity Blues or Jerry Maguire.
Pros: gritty pro sports reality; sharp humor and drama; strong lead performances | Cons: limited game action; uneven tone shifts; some dated elements
Themes
- based on novel or book
- sports
- american football
- dallas, texas
Awards & recognition
- National Board of Review: Top Ten Films
Cast & crew
Nick Nolte
as Phillip Elliott
Mac Davis
as Seth Maxwell
Charles Durning
as Coach Johnson
Dayle Haddon
as Charlotte Caulder
Bo Svenson
as Jo Bob Priddy
John Matuszak
as O. W. Shaddock
Steve Forrest
as Conrad Hunter
G.D. Spradlin
as B. A. Strothers
Dabney Coleman
as Emmett Hunter
Savannah Smith Boucher
as Joanne Rodney
Directed by Ted Kotcheff