Number One Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		1.0
Overall		3.5

Number One Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf November 29, 2021

Charlton Heston portraying an aging NFL quarterback is pretty fantastic casting, with the intense actor a perfect fit for a hotheaded character getting too old for the game. Heston is terrific in 1969’s “Number One,” which offers him an interesting dramatic challenge, tasked with bringing to life a fairly unpleasant human being going through a universal psychological experience, portraying a football hero facing the end of his career, his marriage, and possibly his male appeal. The screenplay (by David Moessinger) tries to work into the folds of such self-esteem issues, and director Tom Gries doesn’t avoid a few painful behavioral realities involved in this position of doubt. “Number One” could use a tighter edit, but it offers some interesting ideas on denial and fear, with Heston trying to give the part some real grittiness while fighting a few melodramatic elements in the material.

Ron (Charlton Heston) is the 40-year-old quarterback for the New Orleans Saints, and he’s having a tough time getting ready for the new season. Things aren’t going well for the former star player of the team, who’s facing new injuries, rookies, and rumors about his retirement, which the fans and press believe is long overdue. Facing the next phase of his life, Ron is tempted into car leasing work by Richie (Bruce Dern), a former teammate who successfully ditched the punishment of the NFL. He’s haunted by his wife, fashion designer Julie (Jessica Walter), with the pair struggling to be kind to each other. And he’s tempted by Ann (Diana Muldaur), his mistress. Committed to staying on the team, Ron faces a rough ride of reality as the Saints prepare for a fresh Super Bowl run, with or without him.

Ron’s pre-season struggles are defined early in “Number One,” with the quarterback taking a hit that destroys his knee, watching his backup jump in and do something with limited playing time, inspiring the press to turn on the once celebrated veteran. The writing explores this terrible place of uncertainty, as Ron struggles to understand life without football, taking his frustrations out on Julie, who’s enjoying newfound success in her career. Ron’s a wreck, and he’s not written as a sweet soul, but the production strives to depict his clouded headspace, caught between the success he once was and the has-been he’s become, which encourages some sympathy for the man, even when he behaves horribly to others.

“Number One” isn’t strictly a football film, but the NFL experience is competently represented here. Heston is carefully photographed in quarterback mode, and team dysfunction is interestingly scripted, but the thrust of “Number One” involves Ron’s navigation of potential failure, which elevates the predictability of the movie. There’s a Big Game finale, but the journey there is more important, examining relationships and personal conduct in a compelling way.

Number One Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation looks like a better than average MGM catalog release, offering some softness with fine detail, but skin particulars and fibrous costuming remain, especially with soiled football uniforms and eveningwear. Colors are acceptable, with brighter NFL signage and team logos distinct. Skintones are natural. Delineation is satisfactory. Source is in good condition.

Number One Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix offers clear dialogue exchanges, securing argumentative behavior and hushed, seductive exchanges without issue. The feature's use of jazz to score the journey is distinct, with satisfactory instrumentation throughout the listening experience. Crowd atmospherics at football games is blunt, more cacophonous than defined.

Number One Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• A Theatrical Trailer (2:47, HD) is included.

Number One Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Number One" is more of a character piece than a grand drama, but the screenplay gets a little carried away at times when dealing with Ron's problems, leading to a few superfluous scenes. Trims are necessary, but performances are superb, as Heston is backed by a sharp cast, while the star manages to find ways to avoid cliché, working hard to keep Ron human during a story of a particularly painful reality check.