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Fear Strikes Out

Play trailer Poster for Fear Strikes Out 1957 1h 40m Biography Play Trailer Watchlist
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81% Tomatometer 21 Reviews 76% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
Ever since Jimmy Piersall (Anthony Perkins) was a boy, his baseball-obsessed father (Karl Malden) had pushed the sport on him. Trying to live vicariously through his son, the elder Piersall makes Jimmy eat, sleep and breathe baseball with destructive determination. But once Jimmy achieves his father's goal and makes it to the major leagues, he begins to unravel. After Jimmy suffers a breakdown, it is unclear whether he will ever be able to play the sport again.
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Fear Strikes Out

Fear Strikes Out

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Critics Consensus

Based on the true story of troubled baseball star Jimmy Piersall, Fear Strikes Out is an emotionally compelling drama featuring excellent performances from Anthony Perkins and Karl Malden.

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Critics Reviews

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Richard Brody The New Yorker Apr 5, 2019
[Mulligan] reflects an intense sensitivity, a romanticism of vulnerability and innocence that flashes a political edge. Go to Full Review Ty Burr Entertainment Weekly Mar 4, 2011
A-
Fear holds up well, and the climactic showdown between father and son offers a tremendously appealing resolution. Go to Full Review Variety Staff Variety Mar 26, 2009
Anthony Perkins, in the young Piersall role, delivers a remarkably sustained performance of a sensitive young man, pushed too fast to the limits of his ability to cope with life's pressures. Go to Full Review Clyde Gilmour Maclean's Magazine Oct 29, 2019
Anthony Perkins, Hollywood's most ballyhooed new star since James Dean, justifies most of his press agents' blurbs by the power and sincerity of his performance here... Go to Full Review Tony Sloman Radio Times May 6, 2014
4/5
Director Robert Mulligan's feature film debut is a harrowing and intense biopic of Boston Red Sox baseball star Jim Piersall, superbly portrayed by Anthony Perkins. Go to Full Review Michael E. Grost Classic Film and Television Aug 16, 2012
Harrowing look at pressures on a young ballplayer. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Stephen C @bob25009 Nov 21, 2025 Based on a true baseball story in 01 hour, 40 minutes, and 30 seconds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Available in black and white and colorized versions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! All ages admitted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more Steve D @RT35616104 Jul 8, 2023 Solid acting horrible script. See more Thomas M @TMProofreader Feb 1, 2019 The best sports movie ever made! See more Apr 12, 2018 Great acting from Anthony Perkins and Karl Malden, but otherwise it wasn't as good as I thought it was going to be. Just an OK biopic drama that is worth seeing once. (First and only viewing - 4/10/2018) See more ashley h @ashleyhobgood87 Nov 12, 2017 Fear Strikes Out is a decent film. It is about the life of Jimmy Piersall, who battled mental illness to achieve stardom in major league baseball. Anthony Perkins and Karl Malden give good performances. The screenplay is a little slow in places. Robert Mulligan did an alright job directing this movie. I liked this motion picture because of the drama. See more Jun 14, 2017 Great GREAT acting and stuck pretty well to the original story. See more Read all reviews
Fear Strikes Out

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Cast & Crew

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Robert Mulligan

Director

Anthony Perkins

Jim Piersall

Karl Malden

John Piersall

Norma Moore

Mary Piersall

Adam Williams

Doctor Brown

Perry Wilson

Mrs. John Piersall

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Fear Strikes Out

Fear Strikes Out (1957) Fear Strikes Out (1957) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Ever since Jimmy Piersall (Anthony Perkins) was a boy, his baseball-obsessed father (Karl Malden) had pushed the sport on him. Trying to live vicariously through his son, the elder Piersall makes Jimmy eat, sleep and breathe baseball with destructive determination. But once Jimmy achieves his father's goal and makes it to the major leagues, he begins to unravel. After Jimmy suffers a breakdown, it is unclear whether he will ever be able to play the sport again.
Director
Robert Mulligan
Producer
Alan J. Pakula
Screenwriter
Ted Berkman, Raphael Blau
Distributor
Paramount Pictures
Production Co
Paramount
Genre
Biography
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 20, 1957, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 10, 2016
Runtime
1h 40m
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