The Jackie Robinson Story (1950) On DVD

This triumphant biography is the story of Jackie Robinson (playing himself), the first ballplayer to break major league baseball's color-barrier in 1947. One of the greatest sports-themed movies ever made, The Jackie Robinson Story chronicles the gifted athlete's early career in the Negro Baseball League to his tense first at-bat with the farm team in Montreal and his success as the second baseman for the Dodgers. Minor Watson turns in a riveting performance as Brooklyn manager Branch Rickey, inspiring Jackie to have the inner-strengh to withstand the threats, vicious racial-slurs and abuse that would be heaped upon him. With movie-star looks and fine acting, Jackie delivers his story with humility and grace in this unflinching look at a difficult and historic era in baseball and American history.

This biographical film stars the baseball legend himself in a dramatic story about the player who integrated major league ball. The story begins with Jackie Robinson's early years, profiling the successful young athlete who excelled in various collegiate sports. It then follows him to his momentous meeting with Branch Rickey of the no less legendary Brooklyn Dodgers who brought Robinson in as a professional player to the previously all-white sport.