The Moving Impact of "Conrack"

Previously, I published a column on this website highlighting Joe DiMaggio as a representative Major League Baseball player whose name often appears in films that aren't directly related to Major League Baseball.

This time, I'd like to focus on Jackie Robinson, who, like Joe DiMaggio, is also a representative Major League Baseball player whose name often appears in films that aren't directly related to Major League Baseball. But I'd like to start with a Jackie Robinson biopic.

"42" (2013). In Japan, many people have seen this movie, mainly Major League Baseball fans, but also people who are not Major League Baseball fans.

DVD of the movie "42" (Japanese version)

There is something interesting about "42." Perhaps because many people in Japan have no idea what the title "42" means, it has been given a subtitle. This subtitle is Japanese for "The Man Who Changed the World." Not only is this subtitle appropriate for Jackie Robinson, but I think it is a wonderful one that will attract the interest of many people.

A side note here.

I saw "42" on November 1st, 2013, the day it was released in Japanese cinemas. As a collector of American film DVDs, I buy DVDs even for films I've seen in cinemas, so I headed to the store at the end of March 2014, expecting the DVD of "42" to be released around that time. However, it didn't seem to be in stock, so I asked the clerk what the situation was. After a bit of research, the clerk said, "It will be released on April 15th." I couldn't help but grin and say, "Wow, that's pretty impressive. That's the day Jackie Robinson made his Major League Baseball debut."

Just to be clear, Jackie Robinson made his Major League Baseball debut on April 15, 1947. April 15th is now designated as "Jackie Robinson Day" by Major League Baseball.

As the Japanese subtitle of "42" suggests, Jackie Robinson changed the world. I believe his impact on American society in particular was immeasurable. I would like to highlight two American films that beautifully convey this impact: one that conveys it subtly, and one that deeply moves the heart. Neither film has a direct connection to Major League Baseball.

First, the film that conveys it subtly is "Men of Honor" (2000). This film is based on the true story of the first African-American man to become a master diver in the history of the U.S. Navy. The son of a poor farmer, the protagonist faces severe discrimination and harassment from many white people, but overcomes this and continues to work hard to achieve his dream. During a scene in which he is making these efforts, a live radio broadcast of Jackie Robinson's exploits plays casually in the background. It's a brilliant insertion that beautifully demonstrates Jackie Robinson's presence. Few Japanese people have seen this film, and almost none of them notice that Jackie Robinson is featured in the film. I wonder how it is in the United States?

DVD of the movie "Men of Honor" (Japanese version)

Next is the deeply moving film "Conrack" (1974). This film is also based on a true story, and the main character, Conrack, is a young white teacher. The story is set on a small island in South Carolina, in the southern United States. The island is inhabited by all black people except for the owner of a general store. When the protagonist is assigned to teach at the island's elementary school, he is shocked by the apathy of the 21 black students. They can't even recite the alphabet properly, don't know the name of their own country, and don't even know that the sea beyond the island is the Atlantic Ocean. Mr. Conrack adopts a completely different educational method from that used on the island up until then. He speaks to his students on an equal footing, teaching them the joy of learning and the importance of living with pride. The students gradually become more energetic and begin to experience the joy and pleasure of learning for the first time. However, the school board, opposed to this educational method, dismisses the teacher.

DVD of the movie "Conrack" (Japanese version)

Early in the morning, the students come to see their teacher off as he leaves the island by boat. The teacher, eager to test the results of his teaching, asks his students a series of questions in a lively tone, the first of which is, "Who is the greatest baseball player of all-time?" When the teacher points to a black male student to answer, he answers without a moment's hesitation: "Jackie Robinson!" It's a truly moving and wonderful scene. When I first saw this movie, this scene brought me to tears. I've watched it many times on DVD since then, and I still can't hold back the tears.

I don't think there is any other major leaguer who can inspire such emotion, or who has such a strong presence.

Not many people in Japan know about this movie, and even among Major League Baseball fans, very few remember the moving scene at the end in which Jackie Robinson's name appears. It's such a shame. I wonder how it is in the United States?

(If I've made a mistake or left out something important, please let me know. I'll try to make corrections or additions.)