What a fantastic scene. That 30+ seconds of silence really showed us how Buttermaker's behavior affected the kids and himself. Matthau was one of the greats.
I think he realizes that he is trying to redeem his life’s failures through those kids, and then realizes it’s wrong to let his anger about his own life rob the kids of their innocence.
He realizes it’s just a game too and that they’re doing their best. He regretted telling Rudy that not just bc it’s underhanded but bc he’s asking a kid to hurt himself again after he advises him to get beaned his previous at bat. I do respect that he wanted to win he wasn’t just some drunken zombie coaching this team he really was a good character n Mathua was excellent
This movie (this version too) should be required viewing for all little league coaches of any sport. Anyone who played little league can remember the coach that blew everything way out of proportion, whether they had them as a coach or played against a team with one. Great movie.
This is the best comment I ever seen. Your 100% right about that. Just that scene where Buttermaker chews his team out, then it gets silent and realizes he's being too mean and they're just a bunch of kids. It's just that subtlety of the silence and looks on the kids faces and Walter Mathau's expression that just gets you. You don't see stuff like that in movies these days. Movies today can't pick up on a lot of subtle nuances like the movies back in the day could pull off.
This was one of the most important scenes of the entire film! Walter Matthau played it to perfection. Buttermaker realizes that he has become Roy Turner! He has a 'lightbulb' moment and realizes that his team is made up of kids, and it is ONLY A GAME. The Bears lose, but Buttermaker is a winner...his team loves him. The Yankees win, but Roy Turner is a loser...his son grows to despise him during that championship game.
This moving scene is one of the the most important, if not the most important, movie scenes of all time as it relates to children's sports. If you don't have kids that participate in sports, its harder to understand, but believe me its tremendously important.
meaning of this scene: winning is nice, and as a coach you do what you can do guide them, helping them build skills and character... but just don't forget that they're still children
It’s amazing this scene is still relevant in 2021. Parents take youth sports much more serious than their kids do. Nothing has changed since this movie came out in 1976.
And directing, editing, etc that tracks between the kids and shows us the bewilderment in their faces. Stuff like this is why the sequels and remake don’t favorably compare.
This scene has always been stuck in my memory since I first saw TBNB back in the 70’s. Definitely played to perfection by Walter Matheus. The long close-up shots of kids reacting to what he’s saying are perfect.
Matthau is an incredible actor. This scene alone should have won his an Academy Award as he realizes that all his life, he was the win that was spit on. His anger towards his failures in life and to those around him had Buttermaker project them on the baseball field of a little league game. And after he yells at them, berates them, does the Buttermaker character finally understand and accept those failures to allow the kids to play as a team and accept defeat. Cause that is life you know...you don't always win in the end...but its more about the journey toward that end rather than the result...
***** what's amazing is that at the end of the championship game, Buttermaker pulls out almost all his good players and except for Kelly he has mostly scrubs, yet the Bears still ALMOST beat the Yankees anyway. At the end when they awarded trophies one of the Yankees said something like we admire you Bears but we still don't think much of you as a team and I'm thinking you little shit the only reason you won is because Buttermaker pulled out most of his good players...if Buttermaker had went the other direction the Bears would have clobbered the Yankees
***** i totally agree...it wasn't a corny story where the underdogs win...when i first saw the movie i was dejected that they lost but when you think that they could've won, and Buttermaker made it not about winning, but everyone gets a chance. Like when he tells Lupis "you weren't born in this world to sit on a bench"....very poignant. that's why this movie is great and sports in general can hold many life lessons
another aspect of the Buttermaker character is that when the movie begins he doesn't really give a shit about win, lose, or whatever. he just wants money. he seems more interested in when he gets paid than doing a good job. he goes through a cycle where he starts to care and then starts to care TOO MUCH...then by the end of the movie he's back to where he doesn't care if they win or lose but it's for a different reason than in the beginning
This was always my favorite movie as a kid. Now I'm an adult coaching youth sports. This particular scene stays etched in my brain. If I start to stray as a coach, I always go back and look at this scene to refocus myself. I wish there was an "edited" version of this movie because I would love to share it with my kids and my players. IMO, one of the greatest sports flix of all time.
1:26 and then Malthau's line delivery is superb. He starts by mouthing, but not saying anything until he tries again in a defeated remorseful tone,. He looks down because he can't even look at the morally superior others (even though they're just kids). Then he has to even turn away in shame pretending to look to the outfield to manage even though the players aren't even in position yet.
This scene really shows how he realized that these were just little kids and how he realized how you have to be a little more understanding with them. The looks on the kids' faces were priceless and really conveyed how they were like "what is up with this crazy adult?"
They were looking at him like he was crazy LOL. This was the first time no player on the bears had anything to say after he talked. They were terrified of him at this point lol too funny.
A movie way ahead of its time. You can't make movies like this anymore! Verbal abuse towards kids.etc. etc. But its in my eyes a True Classic! & Hilarious . I was 5 when this movie came out! & Dont forget pulling out the beer after the Loss!! 5 stars!! Whose watching in 2020?
Whoever wrote this script is brilliant. It's the opitimy of resilience. It's about understanding that life requires effort and that you have to rebound from unpleasant moments. When you fail, you have to reflect on it and try again. Losing a bunch of baseball games is one of the most depressing things that can happen. The players lose motivation, they turn on each other, and everyone wants to quit. But, losing so much can speed up development and progress. The players get tired of losing to the point where they start figuring out how to play better. Small victories like making contact instead of striking out. Making a clean catch. Making a clean throw. Sliding. Then one day you get a really good pitcher and hitter. The players get more hope that they can turn it around.
Michael Ritchie isn't thought of being on the first tier of the famous directors that made up "The New Hollywood", what is considered the second golden age of American film in the 1970s. Names like Coppola, Scorsese, Altman, Ashby, Bogdanovich are the ones thought of first (and deservedly so). But Ritchie definitely made some classics during this period, The Bad News Bears & 1972's The Candidate chief among them. He seemed to love films that centered on competition, and how that theme would bring out the best and (especially) the worst in his characters. His two other big films from this period (which I still need to catch up with), Downhill Racer (skiing) and Smile (teen beauty pageant), also had these themes. Forty seconds - that's how long the silence lingers in the dugout after Buttermaker's tirade. Forty seconds for him to absorb the weary expressions on the kids in his dugout, with only the faint sounds of kids at play being heard from the outside. While the glory or agony of the outcome of the game will soon become more fleeting with the passage of time, this will be a minute of their lives that these Bears (and us viewers) will always remember.
I remember watching this movie in the 70’s. I was a similar age as the kids in the movie. This movie is so touching. It reminded so much of being a kid back then. There were adults like Buttermaker back then. Adults who weren’t perfect but had a human decency about them. The 70’s were a beautiful time to be a kid.
I always thought the most poignant moment in the scene was around 1:44 when Buttermaker turns his head and looks to the field as the kids leave the dugout. It is as though he is ashamed of what he just did and what he has become, and that made it hard for him to look the children in the eyes. It is a great moment of acting and, like so many others have commented, it is a wonderful scene in the movie that illustrates how easy it is to lose sight of what is important in life. Many others here have similar comments, which shows that the impact of the scene is quite powerful.
When Buttermaker realizes hes become Roy Turner, the man he despises, and realizes the children he is coaching are trying their best. One of the most powerful moments in cinema history.
my dad was a manager of our little league team; and had a similar incident when we were losing to the worst team in the league; but it was more of a pep talk; and it worked.
Buttermaker, the big league professional talking like he would to his big league team and suddenly realizes he's coaching kids in little league. This movie is great because of these scenes. This is what really happens and this movie is full of scenes that would really happen to little leaguers and managers.
This scene doesn’t really relate to professional athletes lol they get paid millions they should be doing their best for that fact alone. The point of this scene is that they’re children, their job is to go out there and have fun while learning some life skills on the way. Any personal projecting made by adults ruins that main idea.
The kids didn't have to say a word to give him a savage beatdown on what they thought of him. It may have taken 30 seconds, but at the end of it Buttermaker was ashamed of himself. Thing about that big trophy awarded to the winner. Buttermaker didn't want it if it meant losing the respect of his team. It would be a monument to his failure as a coach. Somehow I don't think Roy ever took that trophy he won and considered what the price of it was. He'll get an ego trip out of it (maybe it was compensating for something). His wife and kid though... every time they look at it they'll remember what it cost him.
I saw it tons in theaters then. That and Apple Dumpling Gang. I loved Buttermaker & Tatum. And the blond kid that ate his boogers (Loopus?). Losers that won!!! I was their age, but I played North Valley ⚽ Soccer AYSL...WE WON STATE IN '76! One game....right after I moved to Chicago....(Aerostars and seating choices hadn't happened yet)......The 🦂 Scorpions from Hale Jr. High practice field (we ran 3 miles each practice) conquered Sacramento that Year of '76! I was a fullback. And I slide tackled..legally.
But the thing is when kids dont do as their told how do think they will be when they grow up they will grow up not having no job dont have a good record of working
That's why you have to learn right from wrong whether your a kid or not now I can understand a born to 5 years old may not understand but anywhere pass 5 years of age they oughta know to do as their told
What a fantastic scene. That 30+ seconds of silence really showed us how Buttermaker's behavior affected the kids and himself. Matthau was one of the greats.
I agree 100%. Masterful acting and directing where that much silence can occur and still say so much. I, like you, counter the seconds of silence.
Such a powerful scene. No music. Just stares. He realizes that they're just kids.
Agreed... but I think he also realizes that he is talking about himself too.
He realizes that those kids need the words of a wise man, not a fake masculinity
I think he realizes that he is trying to redeem his life’s failures through those kids, and then realizes it’s wrong to let his anger about his own life rob the kids of their innocence.
He realizes it’s just a game too and that they’re doing their best. He regretted telling Rudy that not just bc it’s underhanded but bc he’s asking a kid to hurt himself again after he advises him to get beaned his previous at bat. I do respect that he wanted to win he wasn’t just some drunken zombie coaching this team he really was a good character n Mathua was excellent
Tatum O'Neal's silent acting in this scene is priceless. So much anger and disappointment with Buttermaker's behavior right at 0:17
This movie (this version too) should be required viewing for all little league coaches of any sport. Anyone who played little league can remember the coach that blew everything way out of proportion, whether they had them as a coach or played against a team with one. Great movie.
WCS yeah but kids need discipline... makes them men .. (joking)
Remember when movies were written by human beings, not boardroom committees?
This is the best comment I ever seen. Your 100% right about that. Just that scene where Buttermaker chews his team out, then it gets silent and realizes he's being too mean and they're just a bunch of kids. It's just that subtlety of the silence and looks on the kids faces and Walter Mathau's expression that just gets you. You don't see stuff like that in movies these days. Movies today can't pick up on a lot of subtle nuances like the movies back in the day could pull off.
Yes, when movies didn’t suck
Unfortunately, analytics and focus groups are the main factors for these feckless bureaucrats nowadays. And you see the results. 🤮
This was one of the most important scenes of the entire film! Walter Matthau played it to perfection. Buttermaker realizes that he has become Roy Turner! He has a 'lightbulb' moment and realizes that his team is made up of kids, and it is ONLY A GAME. The Bears lose, but Buttermaker is a winner...his team loves him. The Yankees win, but Roy Turner is a loser...his son grows to despise him during that championship game.
Very well said!
*THE* most important scene. This was the epiphany.
I thought every time Tanner Boyle says "crud" is the most important scene
Nah it was horrible. Billy bob thornton was better
Perfect
This moving scene is one of the the most important, if not the most important, movie scenes of all time as it relates to children's sports. If you don't have kids that participate in sports, its harder to understand, but believe me its tremendously important.
God help a coach who puts there hands on my kid.
@@kaseywinbornery5258 Dog help me if I inexplicably wind up having a kid, especially at my age now.
meaning of this scene: winning is nice, and as a coach you do what you can do guide them, helping them build skills and character... but just don't forget that they're still children
"Just wait 'til next year" - Timmy Lupus
It’s amazing this scene is still relevant in 2021. Parents take youth sports much more serious than their kids do. Nothing has changed since this movie came out in 1976.
One of the best movie scenes of all time.
This whole movie is underrated. Only fans like us realize what a masterpiece this movie was.
I coach youth recreation soccer....I watch this clip before every game to help me keep things in perspective....
0:50 Wow. After the tirade, the 35 seconds of silence is some of the most powerful script-writing ever.
Toby and Amanda's expressions always gets to me.
And directing, editing, etc that tracks between the kids and shows us the bewilderment in their faces. Stuff like this is why the sequels and remake don’t favorably compare.
This scene has always been stuck in my memory since I first saw TBNB back in the 70’s. Definitely played to perfection by Walter Matheus. The long close-up shots of kids reacting to what he’s saying are perfect.
Matthau is an incredible actor. This scene alone should have won his an Academy Award as he realizes that all his life, he was the win that was spit on. His anger towards his failures in life and to those around him had Buttermaker project them on the baseball field of a little league game. And after he yells at them, berates them, does the Buttermaker character finally understand and accept those failures to allow the kids to play as a team and accept defeat. Cause that is life you know...you don't always win in the end...but its more about the journey toward that end rather than the result...
wow, well stated!!
***** what's amazing is that at the end of the championship game, Buttermaker pulls out almost all his good players and except for Kelly he has mostly scrubs, yet the Bears still ALMOST beat the Yankees anyway. At the end when they awarded trophies one of the Yankees said something like we admire you Bears but we still don't think much of you as a team and I'm thinking you little shit the only reason you won is because Buttermaker pulled out most of his good players...if Buttermaker had went the other direction the Bears would have clobbered the Yankees
***** i totally agree...it wasn't a corny story where the underdogs win...when i first saw the movie i was dejected that they lost but when you think that they could've won, and Buttermaker made it not about winning, but everyone gets a chance. Like when he tells Lupis "you weren't born in this world to sit on a bench"....very poignant. that's why this movie is great and sports in general can hold many life lessons
Juan Cerda-Ofogh i
another aspect of the Buttermaker character is that when the movie begins he doesn't really give a shit about win, lose, or whatever. he just wants money. he seems more interested in when he gets paid than doing a good job. he goes through a cycle where he starts to care and then starts to care TOO MUCH...then by the end of the movie he's back to where he doesn't care if they win or lose but it's for a different reason than in the beginning
This was always my favorite movie as a kid. Now I'm an adult coaching youth sports. This particular scene stays etched in my brain. If I start to stray as a coach, I always go back and look at this scene to refocus myself. I wish there was an "edited" version of this movie because I would love to share it with my kids and my players. IMO, one of the greatest sports flix of all time.
ditto
Edited, schmedited. Show it to them, anyway. Tell them it's like _South Park_ before _South Park._
1:26 and then Malthau's line delivery is superb. He starts by mouthing, but not saying anything until he tries again in a defeated remorseful tone,. He looks down because he can't even look at the morally superior others (even though they're just kids). Then he has to even turn away in shame pretending to look to the outfield to manage even though the players aren't even in position yet.
You know you went to far when even Tanner is frightened
Mandatory watching for all youth coaches and parents out there. I too have to reel it in sometimes and remember this scene to bring me back to earth
One of the best movie scenes ever.
This scene really shows how he realized that these were just little kids and how he realized how you have to be a little more understanding with them. The looks on the kids' faces were priceless and really conveyed how they were like "what is up with this crazy adult?"
Walter Matthau = LEGEND.
They were looking at him like he was crazy LOL. This was the first time no player on the bears had anything to say after he talked. They were terrified of him at this point lol too funny.
This scene and Lupus making the catch just gets to me. I bawl my eyes out every time I watch it.
It's very hard in cinema to make 35 seconds of silence evoke such powerful emotions.
Walter Matthau was so amazing in this. Such incredible acting with his eyes. He had an underlying compassion that shined through.
like a bunch of dead fish, not listening LOL absolute classic. I love this movie.
“Bonehead plays, mistakes! I mean, don’t you wanna beat those bastards?!”
that was the moral of the film and every coach and parent should see this movie
A movie way ahead of its time. You can't make movies like this anymore! Verbal abuse towards kids.etc. etc. But its in my eyes a True Classic! & Hilarious . I was 5 when this movie came out! & Dont forget pulling out the beer after the Loss!! 5 stars!! Whose watching in 2020?
Great baseball movie. I like even more than Field of Dreams.
Whoever wrote this script is brilliant. It's the opitimy of resilience. It's about understanding that life requires effort and that you have to rebound from unpleasant moments. When you fail, you have to reflect on it and try again. Losing a bunch of baseball games is one of the most depressing things that can happen. The players lose motivation, they turn on each other, and everyone wants to quit. But, losing so much can speed up development and progress. The players get tired of losing to the point where they start figuring out how to play better. Small victories like making contact instead of striking out. Making a clean catch. Making a clean throw. Sliding. Then one day you get a really good pitcher and hitter. The players get more hope that they can turn it around.
It was written by Burt Lancaster's son, Bill Lancaster. Bill Lancaster also wrote the script for the 1982 movie _The Thing_ .
The team’s turn around is pretty far-fetched but it’s still a 10 in my book.
As someone already said, Bill Lancaster wrote it, and it was written from his own life experience as Burt’s son, playing in little league in LA.
It's not so much a script it's real life.
Michael Ritchie isn't thought of being on the first tier of the famous directors that made up "The New Hollywood", what is considered the second golden age of American film in the 1970s. Names like Coppola, Scorsese, Altman, Ashby, Bogdanovich are the ones thought of first (and deservedly so).
But Ritchie definitely made some classics during this period, The Bad News Bears & 1972's The Candidate chief among them. He seemed to love films that centered on competition, and how that theme would bring out the best and (especially) the worst in his characters. His two other big films from this period (which I still need to catch up with), Downhill Racer (skiing) and Smile (teen beauty pageant), also had these themes.
Forty seconds - that's how long the silence lingers in the dugout after Buttermaker's tirade. Forty seconds for him to absorb the weary expressions on the kids in his dugout, with only the faint sounds of kids at play being heard from the outside. While the glory or agony of the outcome of the game will soon become more fleeting with the passage of time, this will be a minute of their lives that these Bears (and us viewers) will always remember.
The 70s, god damnit.
The Bears had love. So did Buttermaker. Part of what them made them such a special group.
I remember watching this movie in the 70’s. I was a similar age as the kids in the movie. This movie is so touching. It reminded so much of being a kid back then. There were adults like Buttermaker back then. Adults who weren’t perfect but had a human decency about them. The 70’s were a beautiful time to be a kid.
Should be required watching for anyone who coaches kids
I see a lot of youth sports games and nothing has changed in 46 years since this movie came out. Some parents just take it way too seriously.
The guy who played rudi Stein is my uncle
David Pollock ?
@@motorcity7137 yep
That's so cool!
🧢
@@aidanbeck8996 please shut up
I love this scene.
Buttermaker had to remind himself that they're just kids.
The silence in this scene is the most powerful part. No words need to be said. Everything is expressed in the eyes.
Crazy that Tanner and Kelly didn’t say anything. That’s how intense this scene is.
I always thought the most poignant moment in the scene was around 1:44 when Buttermaker turns his head and looks to the field as the kids leave the dugout. It is as though he is ashamed of what he just did and what he has become, and that made it hard for him to look the children in the eyes. It is a great moment of acting and, like so many others have commented, it is a wonderful scene in the movie that illustrates how easy it is to lose sight of what is important in life. Many others here have similar comments, which shows that the impact of the scene is quite powerful.
Silence is golden.
F--- great. What a great movie and what a great part by Matthau
One of the best ever! Glad to see someone else watching today
This is from one of my favorite movies of all time.
When Buttermaker realizes hes become Roy Turner, the man he despises, and realizes the children he is coaching are trying their best. One of the most powerful moments in cinema history.
my dad was a manager of our little league team; and had a similar incident when we were losing to the worst team in the league; but it was more of a pep talk; and it worked.
I can see why this is one of Quentin Tarantino’s favorite pictures with this scene alone.
The fear in the kids’ eyes made him realize he was turning into a monster over a game.
A movie to smile at .
One thing movies are afraid of having today is dead silence.
Iconic scene 💯💯💯💯💯💯
Buttermaker, the big league professional talking like he would to his big league team and suddenly realizes he's coaching kids in little league. This movie is great because of these scenes. This is what really happens and this movie is full of scenes that would really happen to little leaguers and managers.
From the opposite of his own failure in life to an enriched coaching parent/role model, Mr Matthau is phenomenal, r.i.p Buttermaker
If you listen tol the end, you can hear the sound of a beer being opened.🤔🙂🙂🙂
Bad News Bears 1976 > Sandlot
Wheres that seen when the coach slapped the kid. I love it
Buttermaker realizes he's become the thing he hates - Roy Turner. Awesome scene.
they are just kids
Great Frickin’ Film!!
0:28 hahahahahhaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He's even more tougher and harder on them than the Buttermaker on the remake version
Matthau's best film. For a ole gray goose.
My Babes
This was how I was like to my Yankees. I wanted them to do the best they can and finally they won the A.L. East Division.
This scene doesn’t really relate to professional athletes lol they get paid millions they should be doing their best for that fact alone. The point of this scene is that they’re children, their job is to go out there and have fun while learning some life skills on the way. Any personal projecting made by adults ruins that main idea.
When I watch this movie when the coach says DONT YOU WANT TO BEAT THOSE BASTARDS I always go like Hell Yeah
1:34 she looks awesome!!!
The kids didn't have to say a word to give him a savage beatdown on what they thought of him. It may have taken 30 seconds, but at the end of it Buttermaker was ashamed of himself.
Thing about that big trophy awarded to the winner. Buttermaker didn't want it if it meant losing the respect of his team. It would be a monument to his failure as a coach.
Somehow I don't think Roy ever took that trophy he won and considered what the price of it was. He'll get an ego trip out of it (maybe it was compensating for something). His wife and kid though... every time they look at it they'll remember what it cost him.
won't ever get old.
sad say coach is not like this anymore.
''i'ts against the rules''
too build confident
1:11 ultimate earthquake flab
should bring back to tv
SHUT THE DAMN DOOR!
Stein its okay
I saw it tons in theaters then. That and Apple Dumpling Gang. I loved Buttermaker & Tatum. And the blond kid that ate his boogers (Loopus?). Losers that won!!! I was their age, but I played North Valley ⚽ Soccer AYSL...WE WON STATE IN '76! One game....right after I moved to Chicago....(Aerostars and seating choices hadn't happened yet)......The 🦂 Scorpions from Hale Jr. High practice field (we ran 3 miles each practice) conquered Sacramento that Year of '76! I was a fullback. And I slide tackled..legally.
0:46 Jackie Earle Hayley
Laughing makes good
Rip Ralph 😭
classic
HAHHAHAH
0:28 earthquake sag flab wiggle
WHAT KINDA NAME IS BUTTERMAKER!!!
he needs to realize, these are children, not pro baseball players.
Um, I'm pretty sure he did realize it starting here 0:57
Let’s go tanner
1:11 LMAO!!!!
Anyone spot Rorschach from Watchmen?
This team had a terrible coach
classik
This scene, nowadays, would end up on the editing room floor..Because of the Pussification of America..
what him realizing through a half minute of salience that he is berating children? why?
But the thing is when kids dont do as their told how do think they will be when they grow up they will grow up not having no job dont have a good record of working
That's why you have to learn right from wrong whether your a kid or not now I can understand a born to 5 years old may not understand but anywhere pass 5 years of age they oughta know to do as their told
Man, the point of this scene flew over your head like a home run ball 😄
SPONSORED BY MCDONALDS
.
Why did he feel bad for getting that mad
really ? you have no idea?
0:11 old saggy
More realistic than the PC homogenized garbage that ooozes from cinema theaters today.
your political derangement is a sign of mental illness, seek help.
Always hated Rudy.
jodys film incest
7
5
One of the best movie scenes ever.