In May 1984, the sports classic film “The Natural” took the movie theaters by storm. Starring Robert Redford, Robert Duvall, and Glenn Close, with direction by the Oscar-winner Barry Levinson, the film’s star power rivaled that of Roy Hobbs in his final at-bat. Despite Hobbs’ electrifying home run, the true story that inspired the movie is even more shocking.
Adapted from Bernard Malamud’s debut 1952 novel, “The Natural” blends truth and fiction, with the true part being stranger than fiction. Mental Floss recounts the story of a crazed fan who shot a pro baseball player at point-blank range in a Chicago hotel in June 1949. The player, Eddie Waitkus of the Philadelphia Phillies, survived the attack, with the teenage stalker offering a simple “I’m not sure” when asked why she did it. This real-life event inspired Malamud’s novel.
The parallels between art and life continue in the film, with Redford’s character drawing inspiration from Boston Red Sox icon Ted Williams, down to his swing and jersey number. Both Williams and Redford’s character hit home runs in their final career at-bats.
“The Natural” dominated the box office for two weeks, raking in $48 million on a $28 million budget. The film’s success continued for nearly a year, garnering four Oscar nominations, including for Randy Newman’s music and Glenn Close’s supporting role.
Even today, “The Natural” remains a favorite among critics and audiences alike, consistently landing on best-of lists for baseball movies. From Rotten Tomatoes to the MLB itself, the film is praised for its portrayal of the game. And for fans of Robert Redford, it’s a timeless way to see the actor at his best.
Overall, “The Natural” is a lasting tribute to the game of baseball and a showcase of exceptional storytelling in cinema.
Peace Nero is a writer and blogger who loves to explore different topics of self-development. She shares her personal experiences in order to help people discover their true purpose in life.