Note: While this isn’t my first time watching The Natural, it is the first time I’ve seen the film in over a decade. Thus, I can’t discuss the differences in nuances between this Director’s Cut and the original Theatrical Cut, but from what I’ve heard, almost all of the  differences come from the first act – if that means anything to you. Now back to your regularly scheduled review…
I’m sure everyone knows the plot of The Natural. Roy Hobbs (Robert Redford, The Sting) is an up and coming baseball star. During a contest outside of a fair, he successfully strikes out “The Whammer” (Joe Don Baker, Fletch), the best hitter in the sport. Unfortunately, in doing so, he attracts the attention of Harriet Bird (Barbara Hershey, Boxcar Bertha) a nutcase who has been seducing and killing the best athletes of various sports. Roy doesn’t meet death at the receiving end of her silver bullet. He does meet the end of his baseball career, though.
Sixteen years later, Roy is back in the game. Somehow, he’s lost none of his talent and he is signed to the fictional New York Knights. After an initial ill-reception by the team’s manager and current star player, Roy more than proves he’s worth his contract as he starts the formerly downtrodden team on a stellar winning streak. Being a near-celebrity once again, Roy faces more wolves disguised in sheep’s clothing. The owner of the Knights wants Roy to make it so the Knights don’t win the pennant, thus giving them complete control over the team. It’s up to Roy to decide what’s more important and test the limits of his resolve.
Baseball films prior to The Natural were rocky at best. There are exceptions of course, but going essentially on fiction-based baseball films, The Natural was the first one to resonate outside of the genre and into pop culture. Wonderboy is known far and wide, one doesn’t need to be a baseball fan to know its origins. It’s easy to chalk this up to the success of the film. It’s more interesting to discover why the film was successful to begin with.
If I had to wager a guess, I would say that it’s because, deep down, The Natural isn’t about baseball. It’s a fairy tale for both children and adults alike.
Roy Hobbs is the handsome stranger that rolls into town seeking refuge from his past to start life anew. His past eventually catches up with him as he is haunted by the ghosts of the circumstances that caused his 16 year absence from the sport and the return as well of his ex-girlfriend Iris (Glenn Close, The Big Chill) that he never should have left. The  allusions to Odysseus (further elaborated in the special features) are very appropriate. Absolutely no one can hit in the real world as Hobbs does in this film. The Natural exists in fantasy. Even resident DIMP baseball fanatic Jim McDevitt has said, “Lightning might make your bat awesome, but it can't make you a better hitter.” But the fact that he is the great hitter is what elevates him and the film to a different plane. Roy Hobbs isn’t a baseball player. He’s a super hero on par with Spider-Man – abilities far beyond those of the average man, but with emotional weaknesses all of equal or greater results. Of course, I find it considerably easier to relate to someone hitting home runs than someone swinging from webs attached to buildings. In the final act of The Natural, Roy Hobbs doesn’t even flinch at the constant bribes that are made at him, and that is the lesson he proves he’s learned and further teaches to all his fans.
 The selling of such a tale would not at all be possible without a stellar cast, and this movie packs them in. Redford, as Hobbs, doesn’t warrant much discussion. You have to view the film and see this yourself. He’s as much a natural for this part as his character is at baseball. Glenn Close is angelic as Iris, the ex-love that reunites with Hobbs. She is such a compelling character that I would almost be interested in seeing her story made into a film. The supporting cast, particularly my favorite Quaker Oats peddler Wilford Brimley (Cocoon) as Pop Fisher, coach of the Knights, and his mate Richard Farnsworth (Tom Horn) – their banter together is priceless. Michael Madsen (Reservoir Dogs) does a halfway decent job as Bump Bailey, and incredibly, Kim Basinger in her debut role does a hell of a job as the scorcher Memo Paris, who is hired to seduce Hobbs and lead him on the path to throw the games. When Hobbs likens her to Harriet Bird at the beginning of the film – that scene is movie magic.
And then there’s the big Hollywood finish. For the few of you who might not have seen it, the movie doesn’t at all play out like Bernard Malamud’s novel did. But that doesn’t matter one bit, because ending the film on any other note than the one it did would have been sacrilegiously awful considering the journey it made us take. It’s one of the most triumphant scenes in a baseball film, and one of the most awe inspiring in any film.
It’s only made better on this awesome DVD…
 The DVD Presentation
I dare you to find flaws in The Natural’s presentation. All of the interior shots look great, and the exterior shots, considering the age and film stock, look perfect as well. Since it’s presented in anamorphic widescreen, I can’t fathom anyone griping about it. When it comes to the sound, this film is certainly no powerhouse. Except for maybe the score, nothing really pushes the speakers. That said, the dialog is perfectly clear and understandable and all the sound effects are sharp. In edition to the English track, there are also 5.1 mixes available in Japanese and Portuguese as well as subtitles in all of the above languages and additionally French.
And the Extras Are?
Video Introduction by director Barry Levinson – (2:06) A nice brief little mention explaining why certain changes were made and the intentions behind this director’s cut of the film. This is the sole extra on the first disc, the remaining are all on the second disc.
When Lightning Strikes: Creating The Natural – An epic documentary in three parts which covers the conceptualization and writing of the original novel, the story of its very long trek to become a film, and finally the making of the film itself. It’s exceptionally well put together with great interviews with the cast and crew about all aspects of the production, as well as the problems with adapting Bernard Malamud’s novel – particularly its unhappy ending. Whatever the case, the entire history of The Natural is here at your fingertips. Running nearly an hour combined, I can’t imagine featurettes being any more comprehensive about a film.
Extra Innings – Some little bits that I imagine they didn’t really know where to file amongst the special features. The first talks about the use of slow motion in the film. The second talks about the issue of recreating the uniforms of this era. The third, titled “The Sandberg Game” explains how, weeks after The Natural was released in theatres, Sandberg earned the title of “Kid Natural” from Bob Costas. The final bit includes an amusing story about Ronald Reagan questioning why the woman in black shot Roy Hobbs. All of these together don’t come out to be more than ten minutes. Fun stuff, but short.
 Clubhouse Conversations – (15:24) This has little to do with our main feature but plenty to do with the sport of baseball itself. Authors George F. Will & Rob Edelman, actor Robert Redford, ex-Yankee Don Mattingly, current Yankee Jason Giambi, Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg and sportscaster Bob Costas all contribute their experiences in baseball, and particularly what the sport means to them. This is an awesome watch, and I am sure anyone remotely interested in baseball will love this.
A Natural Gunned Down: The Stalking of Eddie Waitkus – (17:07) As one of the principle real-life baseball players that Roy Hobbs was based on, this featurette tells us the story of Eddie Waitkus, WWII veteran and first baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies who, in 1949 was shot by an obsessed fan. This was apparently the first case of celebrity stalking which ended in violence. This feature really adds to the enjoyment of The Natural for those who aren’t as familiar with baseball history.
Knights in Shining Armor: The Mythology of The Natural – (9:18) There is no shortage of mythological references in this film. This short feature explains the metaphors and allegories within the book and the film. Mentions are made to the Greek gods and similarities to Homer’s The Odyssey and the more obvious Arthurian legends.
The Heart of The Natural – (44:04) Barry Levinson and ex-Baltimore Oriole Cal Ripken, Jr. discuss the nuances of the Roy Hobbs character and his relationships, as well as the sport of baseball on its own. Ripken’s insight is wonderful, since his father was also a player/manager in the sport, so ,like Roy Hobbs whose father taught him how to play baseball, Ripken can draw parallels.
 The Bottom Line
The Natural is one of those films that completely absorbs me. It wraps up all these great emotions that leave me feeling cheerful, happy, and nostalgic, and I want to watch it again as soon as I’m done. Sure, by playing off of these emotions you could call the film contrived, but not too many films connect with me on such a personal level, so I’m willing to look past any shortcomings that The Natural has. I don’t mind getting played with, as long as the tune is a good one.
With such a spectacular film, combined with a perfect collection of extra features, any fan would be at a loss not having this Director’s Cut of The Natural in your collection.
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