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Ted Williams

Name: Ted Williams
Director: Aaron Cohen
Released: 2009
Duration: 75 min

Representation Score

1.1/10

Minimal

2009

TV-PG

Director

Aaron Cohen

Runtime

75 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

This documentary serves as a conventional biographical tribute to a legendary athlete. It emphasizes preserving a specific historical legacy over exploring diverse social identities. The film’s structure revolves around traditional Western values, such as military service and athletic excellence. It upholds established masculine archetypes without challenging them. Given its roots in mid-20th-century institutions like Major League Baseball and the U.S. Marine Corps, the narrative remains largely homogeneous and lacks depth in reflecting multiple aspects of identity.

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Category Breakdown

Does Ted Williams have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film focuses solely on the life of Ted Williams and does not include any LGBTQ+ characters or critique of the assumption that everyone is straight or cisgender.

How does Ted Williams portray gender?

Limited

The story centers on traditional mid-20th-century masculine roles, such as athlete and Marine pilot, without challenging gender hierarchies.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Ted Williams?

Minimal

The film reflects the historical homogeneity of mid-20th-century baseball and the military, featuring a single white protagonist in a Western sporting context.

How does Ted Williams represent religion and culture?

Limited

The film highlights themes of patriotism and religious devotion to the Salvation Army. It celebrates the American Dream through individual effort and national service.

Does Ted Williams include disability representation?

Minimal

The movie does not address any characters dealing with physical or mental health issues. The focus remains on peak physical performance.

Present on Screen

Offers a focused study of a significant historical figure and his athletic achievements.
Provides insight into traditional values of patriotism and individual discipline.

Limited or Absent

Does not engage with diverse perspectives or multi-layered identities.
Maintains a narrow focus on traditional masculine archetypes and historical homogeneity.

Official Synopsis

Born in 1918 in San Diego, Williams was a latchkey child from a broken home, raised by a mother more dedicated to the Salvation Army than to her two sons, and by a father who spent more time away from home than in it. Williams found salvation by doing the one thing he loved most: hitting baseballs. In his rookie season with the Red Sox, where he would spend his entire career as a player, Williams batted .327, socked 31 homers and led the league with 145 RBI. Over the next 21 years, despite losing five seasons of his prime to active service as a U.S. Marine Corps pilot, Williams hit 521 home runs, twice captured the Triple Crown, and became the oldest man ever to win a batting title. He finished his career with a .344 lifetime batting average, was the last man to hit over .400 in a full season, batting .406 in 1941, and was a first-ballot inductee into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

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