The Jackie Robinson Story1950The Jackie Robinson Story
1950
Jackie Robinson plays himself, from his boyhood in Pasadena and his years as a UCLA athlete to the day Branch Rickey chooses him to break baseball's color line with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Rickey asks him for something harder than talent: the courage not to fight back.
The default: films the whole family can watch together; any scary or intense moments for the littlest viewers are flagged in the Context Notes.
Why it’s here
A true hero playing himself, whose courage shows in restraint as he turns the other cheek under abuse. Ruby Dee plays his loyal wife.
Context notes
For parents, before you press play.
Jackie faces racist taunts, threats, and players trying to provoke a fight; the film shows the hatred as wrong and his restraint as strength, so be ready to explain segregation to young viewers. Period smoking and mild romance.
The Jackie Robinson Story (1950)
Discussion questions
When the credits end, go around the room. Each person gives the film a score out of ten and says why.
- Why did Branch Rickey want a player who wouldn't fight back?
- How was not fighting back a kind of courage?
- How did Rae help Jackie?
- What did Jackie's success change for others?
Content advisory
Common Sense Media 7+: racist anger and threats directed at the hero, and talk of fights; period smoking; mild romance.
Trailer
Best edition
The disc comes first.
The Jackie Robinson Story (1950)
DVD · January 24, 2012
Edition link coming soon.
Listing on Blu-ray.com (opens in a new tab)Coming later
Where to stream
Streaming services are not listed yet. When they are, this note stays secondary to the disc.