Plot.
Poster of 42

42

2013 · Film · 128 min

  • Drama

Plot

In 1947, Jackie Robinson becomes the first Black man to play in Major League Baseball facing unabashed racism from the public, the press and other players.

About 42

42 is a 2013 American biographical film produced by Legendary Pictures and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. Written and directed by Brian Helgeland, 42 is based on baseball player Jackie Robinson, the first black athlete to play in Major League Baseball (MLB) during the modern era. The title of the film reflects Robinson's jersey number, which was universally retired across all MLB teams in 1997. The ensemble cast includes Chadwick Boseman as Robinson, alongside Harrison Ford, Nicole Beharie, Christopher Meloni, André Holland, Lucas Black, Hamish Linklater, and Alan Tudyk in supporting roles. Spike Lee initially planned to direct a biopic in 1995 with Turner Pictures, but the project fell apart due to creative differences and later financial challenges. In 2011, Legendary Pictures took over, collaborating with Robinson's widow, Rachel Robinson, to ensure authenticity. Boseman, cast as Robinson in his breakout role, impressed Helgeland with his athleticism and emotional depth during auditions. Boseman trained to replicate Robinson's mannerisms and connected with Rachel for character insights. Filming began in 2012 across locations like Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Birmingham, Alabama, with Engel Stadium standing in for the Brooklyn Dodgers' Ebbets Field. The production used digital recreations of historic stadiums and involved local extras. 42 was screened at the White…

From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Cast

  • Chadwick BosemanJackie Robinson
  • Harrison FordBranch Rickey
  • Nicole BeharieRachel Robinson
  • Christopher MeloniLeo Durocher
  • Ryan MerrimanDixie Walker
  • Lucas BlackPee Wee Reese
  • André HollandWendell Smith
  • Alan TudykBen Chapman
Images