The Movie 42 By Brian Helgeland

In 2013, the movie, 42, was produced and written by Brian Helgeland, and recounts the racial integration of American professional baseball by Jackie Robinson who wore the number 42 on the back of his jersey. Many people say Robinson was the first African American athlete to break the color barrier after the civil war had ended and slavery was ended. At first many players even during spring training did not want anything to do with him being on the same team made up of all white people even white managers and other higher officials. Robinson needed to show not only his coaches and teammates he was a great athlete but the rest of the country. During the year 1945 when Jackie Robinson had signed with the Montreal Royals a minor league team to

In the early part of the movie, Jackie is given an opportunity to play for the Montreal, the Dodgers minor league affiliate. As he is walking out onto the field for a game, he is taunted by fans yelling racial comments. He does not show any reaction to their comments. This shows Robinson does not want the fans and other players to phase him and get under his skin while playing in this league, however, after an inning with the Dodgers later in the movie, Robinson broke down and began to cry because he knew how hard it was going to be to continue to be strong throughout the rest of the year. Another good example is that Robinson does not want his teammate to injure the next hitter after the Cardinals player steps on his ankle. Robinson just wants to play the game and not worry about getting back at people and trying to create another fight with the team. Finally, later in the movie a pitcher throws at Jackie’s head during an at bat against the Phillies in a divisional game, but Robinson does not retaliate. He does not freak out or get angry at the pitcher as he was targeting him. Robinson had asked the pitcher during the movie to give him a pitch he could hit, and he did that and then

Robinson gets back on the field even after his emotional breakdown between innings after he did not have his best at bat. He is determined to be remembered as a great baseball player, not by the color of his skin but the way he plays the sport he loves so much. As well, Robinson continues to play every game, not getting emotionally stressed because of the racial pressure against him. He is determined to live his dream out to be a legendary baseball player even if he has to show the fans that they do not phase him in their actions. Robinson had made note to his wife on a regular basis about people still living in the civil war time and not accepting African Americans because of someone’s skin color. As the comments continued to come in meant for Robinson during the games and sometimes after the games. He keeps his “cool” realizes he is there for reasons. As times get hard for Robinson during the entire of the year he realizes he can not let anyone tell him how he can play or should play. He needs to play baseball as he was taught and trained during the spring season and growing up as a kid. Yet another way Robinson’s determination showed through during the movie and especially during his entire career to continue to play the game he loves, but also Robinson wants to show his teammates, coaches, and the rest of the world he