The Bronx Is Burning

It's an incredible story. Each one of the three main characters could star in their own movie, but put them together on one stage, and it's "Clash of the Titans". "The Bronx Is Burning" is a study in how talent can overcome massive ego, meddling, childishness and pettiness played out on the biggest stage in the world. Of the three, Martin comes out looking the best. How he was able to keep his hair and his sanity, much less win, when caught between the unstoppable force called Reggie Jackson and the immovable object called George Steinbrenner is a wonder. Jackson comes off as a prima donna's prima donna. Tyrell Owens standing on Dennis Rodman's shoulders wouldn't reach to Jackson's chin. Steinbrenner was simply a bull in a china shop. He cared about the team, but his attempts to bring the boardroom to the baseball diamond almost wrecked it. This movie is King Kong versus Godzilla versus Rodan. I wouldn't have wanted to be in the same room with any two of the real guys, but you won't be able to take your eyes off of Turturro, Platt and Daniel Sunjata.

I think this series is the best thing to hit commercial TV in the last 2 years. The casting is perfect, the acting superb, the script par excellence. I think including the Son of Sam storyline adds to the overall feeling of sweat, fear, frustration and anger in New York that the summer of 1977 seemed to engender. If John Turturro and Oliver Platt don't both get Emmys for their performances, there just ain't no justice! I remember that year, I remember being blow away by Reggie Jackson's ability, and Billy Martin's short temper, but of course knew nothing of what went on in the back office. Interestingly, my first glimpse of Steinbrenner as something other than a name came from the old Seinfelds, and Platt has borough him to life as no one else could. What a marvelous series.

I haven't been a fan of baseball since the last strike whenever that was. The fact that a decent player(A Rod) signed a contract for 300 million over 10 years disgusts me. The best thing about this series is it reminds you of the way baseball used to be. It is excellently acted although a little slow getting going and probably could have been at least one episode shorter than it was. It is a fascinating look at the relationships between all the players, coaches, and owner on the Yankees to see what they had to go through to win. For someone who could care less about baseball anymore it is a great trip down memory lane to the good ol' days of baseball *cough* before steroids, BALCO, & all the illegitimate "Great" players that are around these days. Watch this especially if you want to see a good story and the better days of when baseball actually was America's sport. It's now Football just in case you wondered. If you don't have a chance to see the whole series watch the last few episodes instead of the first.

"The Bronx is Burning" juxtaposes the story of the Yankees' run for the AL Pennant (and ultimately the World Series) with the Son of Sam murders, the infamous blackout and other notable events during this tumultuous time in the city's history. This miniseries mirrors the book "Damned Yankees" written by Moss Klein and Bill Madden, beat writers for The Newark Star Ledger and The New York Daily News respectively, who depicted all the craziness on those Yankee teams from the 70's through the 80's.

George Steinbrenner's tyrannical ownership of the Yankees was marked by a mixture of great success and turmoil during this time. Frequent managerial firings, front office turnover and overpayment of free agents all contributed to a circus atmosphere which was dubbed "The Bronx Zoo" by members of the media. "The Bronx is Burning" does a great job of depicting the principal characters and storyline of the '77 Yankee team. Particularly good is the work of John Turturro as the tactically brilliant but personally troubled manager Billy Martin. His striking resemblance lends immeasurable credibility to the show. Also very good is Oliver Platt as Steinbrenner. His mannerisms and speech closely mirror those of the real George.

If you are a baseball fan or Yankee follower, this is worth your while.

I am a big baseball fan and have always enjoyed movies like Bull Durham, The Natural, and Major League. The Bronx Is Burning is quite different.

First of all, it is a television show depicting actual events; the New York Yankees run to the World Series during the 1977 series. Second, this show is not your typical "feel good" sports movie. The players, owner, and manager have gripes with each other. It is interesting to see the true nature of a sports team. They are not always slapping each other on the rear ends and high fiving each other. Some of the players, and even the manager, can't stand each other. It truly was The Bronx Zoo.

One aspect of the show I don't particularly care for are the scenes involving the Son Of Sam murders. These scenes get a little too much attention. It is interesting that events of the day are intertwined throughout the show though, it helps put the show in its appropriate time frame and sets a good mood.

The cast of the four main characters Billy Martin (John Turturro), George Steinbrenner (Oliver Platt), Reggie Jackson (Daniel Sunjata), and Thurman Munson (Erik Jensen) is superb.

You don't have to be a Yankees fan to admire this show. It has a catchy story line that keeps you wanting more. The music for the show is also very good. ESPN has hit a homerun with this one. Rating 9 of 10 stars.