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The lessons of Rollerball
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February 8, 2002: 5:35 a.m. ET
Sci-fi flick is a good reminder of an old corporate problem.
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NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - If you want a good study in corporate relations, watch "Rollerball."
The 1975 original, of course, not the piece of schlock MGM is putting out this weekend. (OK, it might not be total schlock. But the studio kept delaying the release date and wasn't pushing critic previews; these are never good signs.)
It's a shame that MGM gave "Rollerball" the "Planet of the Apes" treatment, because the original speaks volumes about how society views the business world.
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 WHAT IS ALLEN THINKING?
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From M&Ms to Rock bands to day trading
More Wanderings
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It's 2018 and corporations control the world. The only sport left is rollerball - a sort of roller derby, motocross, hockey type of thing. The point of this sport is to emphasize the importance of the team in corporate society. But one player - James Caan -- is turning into a superstar. So the corporations try to destroy him. Directed by Norman Jewison, who also did "Moonstruck" and "Agnes of God," the film is also full of subtle little comments about class distinctions and decadence.
Most people, then and now, whine about the movie's violence. Hey, ever try doing a body count for "Hamlet"? Violent drama can make very serious points.
The point in the old "Rollerball"? People fear faceless, omnipotent corporations. Why? They suppress the individual. They fear the individual. They want to crush the individual. And all in the name of the common good.
"Corporate society takes care of everything. All it asks of anyone -- all it has ever asked of anyone ever -- is not to interfere with management decisions," says John Houseman as Bartholomew, one of the sinister executives.
Of course, Big Business isn't out to get you. Well, not intentionally at least. Business is necessary (can you make a light bulb all by your lonesome?). And sometimes it can go too far. But our laws and system of government usually keep it in line. Right, Mr. Gates?
But the movie was made in the 1970s. It was part of a wave of sci-fi flicks exploring social-impact issues like over-population ("Soylent Green") and pollution ("Silent Running"). The seemingly unfettered growth of corporations was just one more perceived evil of the turbulent times.
This fear of Big Business re-emerges from time to time. We saw it during the economic confab in New York last week with a few "anti-globalization" protests. Thankfully they didn't get as wild as previous protests. And they don't seem to have much widespread support.
But given enough Enrons and asbestos suits this could change. Should the fringe element ever become mainstream, with more calls for more regulation and such, business may find it harder to get the job done.
That's why big fat-cat types should always keep a copy of "Rollerball" in their film library. The old one. 
Allen Wastler is managing editor of CNN/Money
Click here to send mail to Allen
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