Facing Nolan

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2:10

Facing Nolan

2022

1h 45m

Documentary

Biography

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

96%

Tomatometer

25 Reviews

95%

Popcornmeter

100+ Ratings

Nolan Ryan's numbers tell a story, but numbers alone do not capture his essence. Certain flash-points have emblazoned him onto our sub-conscience: like pitching with his jersey covered in blood, running a cattle ranch during the off season, and the iconic brawl where Nolan walloped the 20 years younger Robin Ventura. Despite mythical moments and statistical brilliance, Ryan's career is a study in extremes. Not only does he hold the record for most walks and most wild pitches, but he's also given up the most grand-slams and the most stolen bases. Many of today's baseball analysts don't consider him to be among the greats. With all this in mind, the film will pose the question: Where does Ryan fit in the ever evolving game of baseball?

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Critics Consensus

Essential viewing for baseball fans and just as captivating for the uninitiated, Facing Nolan pays persuasive tribute to one of the sport's greatest characters.

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Noel Murray

Los Angeles Times

07/22/2022

While it may not be formally groundbreaking, this doc is still a treat for die-hard baseball fans, who should enjoy seeing footage from games ranging from the ’60s to the ’90s.

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Brandon Towns

RogerEbert.com

06/24/2022

3.5/4

A baseball fan’s dream come true.

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Richard Roeper

Chicago Sun-Times

05/20/2022

3/4

An unapologetically sincere biography that plays like an old Saturday Evening Post cover come to life.

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Dan Buffa

Dose of Buffa

02/09/2023

B+

Ryan’s story should be told and celebrated for decades. He’s as old school as it gets, but I have a feeling young baseball fans, even ones who never got to see him pitch live on television, will get a kick out of this.

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Mark Jackson

Epoch Times

10/09/2022

4/5

The fastest pitch in baseball was 105.1 mph, thrown in 2010. MLB's pitching GOAT, Nolan Ryan, threw a blazing 100.8 mph heater for 27 years and set an incredible amount of untouchable records. A heartwarming tale of a modern-day baseball Paul Bunyan.

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Jeffrey M. Anderson

Combustible Celluloid

09/24/2022

3/4

A bit of myth-making, but it's also highly entertaining.

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Kevin L

@Lakeman 10/17/2022

While the structure and content of this sports documentary is pretty typical and straightforward, producer Russell Groves and director Bradley Jackson wisely kept their focus on Ryan the baseball legend and what made hims such an enormous figure in the sport, while also showing him away from the game and who he is off the field. Ryan was a singular figure in his own way, as a pitcher and a personality. It's good to see that even with all the intimidation and formidable force he exuded on the mound, he stayed a grounded and much loved man for both family and fans when not on the field. It's also nice to see what an important influence his wife has been all these decades they've been together. She's a pretty interesting figure herself. 3.6 stars

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dave d

@RT34924333 09/27/2022

This was a lot of fun, even though it's not exactly a warts and all doc. The only wild side of Nolan Ryan appeared to be when he was on a baseball mound. This is purely about the accomplishments of the man on the baseball field, and the slight help he got from his wife who gets a portion of the credit for her husband's success. It's produced by the man in the title so that says a lot, but it's a good time. Ryan is really a marvel. While this doesn't go into too much detail, it's never uninteresting. Final Score: 9/10

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bob p

@bobpotter50 09/20/2022

Really good documentary of one of the most fearsome and endurable pitchers of all time. The interviews are really great, particularly George W Bush and Pete Rose. Ryan comes across as a good ol Texan boy. Thank god we didn't get into politics because I am sure he is a Trumper. This documentary was all about baseball and family. His wife was delightful!

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Amy C

@RT59677831 09/05/2022

Not a huge baseball fan but this documentary was fantastic. So well done!

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08/18/2022

Great Doc to learn more about one of the greatest to ever do it! Great for a baseball fan of any team !

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Ryan H

@RT06162669 08/16/2022

If you love baseball, you'll cry. Good stuff.

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Bradley Jackson

Director

Nolan Ryan

Self

George W. Bush

Self

Iván Rodríguez

Self

Randy Johnson

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Rod Carew

Self

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Facing Nolan: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Nolan Ryan's numbers tell a story, but numbers alone do not capture his essence. Certain flash-points have emblazoned him onto our sub-conscience: like pitching with his jersey covered in blood, running a cattle ranch during the off season, and the iconic brawl where Nolan walloped the 20 years younger Robin Ventura. Despite mythical moments and statistical brilliance, Ryan's career is a study in extremes. Not only does he hold the record for most walks and most wild pitches, but he's also given up the most grand-slams and the most stolen bases. Many of today's baseball analysts don't consider him to be among the greats. With all this in mind, the film will pose the question: Where does Ryan fit in the ever evolving game of baseball?

Director: Bradley Jackson
Producer: Russell Wayne Groves
Distributor: Fathom Events
Production Co: The Ranch Productions
Genre: Documentary, Biography
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 24, 2022, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 19, 2022
Runtime: 1h 45m

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