Semi-Tough (1977)
November 18, 1977Release Date
Plot.
Where to Watch.
Currently Semi-Tough is available for streaming online, rent, buy or watch for free on: Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Tubi TV, Fandango At Home, Microsoft Store, Spectrum On Demand, Pluto TV
Streaming in:🇺🇸 United States
Cast & Crew.
Burt Reynolds
Billy Clyde Puckett
Kris Kristofferson
Shake Tiller
Jill Clayburgh
Barbara Jane Bookman
Robert Preston
Big Ed Bookman
Bert Convy
Friedrich Bismarck
Roger E. Mosley
Puddin
Lotte Lenya
Carla Pelf
Richard Masur
Phillip Hooper
Carl Weathers
Dreamer Tatum
Brian Dennehy
T.J. Lambert
Mary Jo Catlett
Earlene
Joe Kapp
Hose Manning
Ron Silver
Vlada
Jim McKrell
Bud McNair
Peter Bromilow
Kostov's Interpreter
Norman Alden
Coach Alvin Parks
Fred Stuthman
Minister Fred
Janet Brandt
Wedding Dressmaker
William Wolf
Tuxedo Fitter
Jenifer Shaw
Stewardess
Kevin Furry
Puddin Patterson Jr.
Ava Roberts
Puddin's Wife
Melonie Magruder
Linda
Mickey Caruso
Curtis
Ed Jones
Football Player
Jerry Belson
TV Director
Mark Franklin
B.E.A.T. Attendant Tom
Mary Rae Hoskins
B.E.A.T. Woman
Niki Flacks
B.E.A.T. Woman
Rose Pearson
B.E.A.T. Woman
Thom Alan Phillips
B.E.A.T. Man
Hugh Gorrian
B.E.A.T. Man
Dick Schaap
Dick Schaap - TV Sportscaster
Lindsey Nelson
Lindsey Nelson - TV Sportscaster
Paul Hornung
Paul Hornung - TV Newscaster
Jim Beaver
B.E.A.T. Member (uncredited)
Robert F. Cawley
Partygoer (uncredited)
Vincent Di Paolo
Passenger (uncredited)
Bill Bragg
CBS TV Cameraman (uncredited)
Chuck Dawson
Extra (uncredited)
Rick Herod
Football Player (uncredited)
Jo McDonnell
Choir Leader (uncredited)
Christoph Noth
Extra (uncredited)
Greg Pursino
Football Coach (uncredited)
Mike G. Shannon
Football Fan (uncredited)
Kurt Taylor
Issac (uncredited)
Michael Ritchie
Director
Walter Bernstein
Screenplay
Dan Jenkins
Novel
David Merrick
Producer
Jerry Fielding
Original Music Composer
Charles Rosher Jr.
Director of Photography
Richard A. Harris
Editor
Walter Scott Herndon
Production Design
Theoni V. Aldredge
Costume Design
Patricia Mock
Casting
Cheryal Kearney
Set Decoration
Alan Levine
Production Manager
Donald B. Nunley
Property Master
Roger Ragland
Carpenter
Tom Bullock
Sound Editor
Eugene Finley
Sound Editor
Victor Bergstrand
Set Costumer
Tim Board
Assistant Editor
Media.
Details.
Release DateNovember 18, 1977
StatusReleased
Running Time1h 48m
Content RatingR
Genres
Last updated:
This Movie Is About.
Wiki.
Semi-Tough is a 1977 American sports comedy film directed by Michael Ritchie and starring Burt Reynolds, Kris Kristofferson, Jill Clayburgh, Robert Preston, Lotte Lenya, and Bert Convy. It is set in the world of American professional football.
The plot involves a love triangle between the characters portrayed by Reynolds, Kristofferson, and Clayburgh. Semi-Tough also includes a parody of Werner Erhard's Erhard Seminars Training (est), depicted in the film as an organization called "B.E.A.T.".
The film is based on the 1972 novel of the same name by Dan Jenkins. It was adapted for the screen by writer Walter Bernstein and director Ritchie, who added a new storyline that included a satire of the self-help movement and new religions.
Semi-Tough follows the story of pro football friends Billy Clyde Puckett and Marvin "Shake" Tiller, who have a third roommate, Barbara Jane Bookman. A romance develops between Shake and Barbara Jane when he becomes self-confident after completing a self awareness course called "B.E.A.T.", at which point Billy Clyde slyly makes a play to win her for himself.
The film received mixed receptions. Some reviewers praised its parodies of the est training, Erhard and other new age movements such as Rolfing. Others criticized the script and direction, noting that some of director Ritchie's previous films had more of a personal tone. Still other reviews lamented the film's departure from the novel Semi-Tough, which dealt with football rather than the new age movement.