Semi-Tough (1977)
A sharp, freewheeling sports comedy starring Burt Reynolds and Kris Kristofferson that skewers 1970s self-help culture as much as pro football.
Semi-Tough - Movie Information
- Release Year: 1977
- Directed by: Michael Ritchie
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 1h 48m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): November 18, 1977 (United States - R)
- Production Companies: Charley Associates
- Production Countries: United States of America
Semi-Tough - Plot
A three-way friendship between two free-spirited professional football players and the owner's daughter becomes compromised when two of them become romantically involved.
Semi-Tough - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see what this classic 1977 comedy has in store:
They Lead The League In Scoring... After The Game!
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Semi-Tough - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Michael Ritchie
Main Cast
- Burt Reynolds
- Kris Kristofferson
- Jill Clayburgh
- Robert Preston
- Bert Convy
- Roger E. Mosley
- Lotte Lenya
- Richard Masur
- Carl Weathers
- Brian Dennehy
Writers
- Walter Bernstein
Producers
- David Merrick
Semi-Tough - FAQs
What is Semi-Tough about?
Semi-Tough follows two laid-back pro football players, Billy Clyde Puckett and Shake Tiller, and their longtime friend Barbara Jane, the team owner's daughter. When Shake and Barbara Jane become romantically involved, the trio's easy camaraderie gets complicated. The film blends sports comedy with sharp satire of 1970s self-help culture.
What self-help movement does Semi-Tough satirize?
The film takes sharp aim at the est movement — a real-life self-improvement program that was hugely popular in the 1970s. Bert Convy plays Friedrich Bismarck, a thinly veiled stand-in for est founder Werner Erhard. The satire skewers the era's obsession with personal transformation seminars and New Age thinking.
Where can you stream Semi-Tough today?
You can catch Semi-Tough on several platforms. It streams for free with ads on Tubi TV and Fawesome, and is included with subscriptions to fuboTV, MGM Plus, Philo, and the MGM Plus Amazon and Roku channels. It's also available to rent or buy on Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home.
Who stars in Semi-Tough alongside Burt Reynolds?
Kris Kristofferson and Jill Clayburgh co-star alongside Burt Reynolds, forming the film's central trio. The supporting cast is equally impressive, featuring Robert Preston, Bert Convy, Carl Weathers, Brian Dennehy, Roger E. Mosley, and Lotte Lenya — a remarkable ensemble for a 1970s sports comedy.
Is Semi-Tough based on a book?
Yes, Semi-Tough is adapted from Dan Jenkins' bestselling 1972 satirical novel of the same name. Screenwriter Walter Bernstein shifted the book's focus somewhat, amplifying the self-help satire angle while retaining the irreverent, freewheeling spirit of Jenkins' original story about pro football life in America.
Who directed Semi-Tough and what else did he make?
Michael Ritchie directed Semi-Tough. He was a natural fit for the material, having already made a name with sharp, satirical looks at American competition — including Downhill Racer (1969), The Candidate (1972), and Smile (1975). Semi-Tough fits squarely into his recurring theme of ambition, performance, and social absurdity.
How was Semi-Tough received by critics?
Semi-Tough earned generally warm reviews on release, with critics praising the chemistry between Reynolds, Kristofferson, and Clayburgh and the film's witty satirical edge. Some felt the adaptation softened the novel's bite, but the performances and Ritchie's light directorial touch won considerable appreciation from audiences and reviewers alike.
What is the age rating for Semi-Tough?
Semi-Tough is rated R. The rating reflects the film's adult humor, some sexual content, and the freewheeling, irreverent tone that was characteristic of many Hollywood comedies from the late 1970s. It's best suited for mature audiences comfortable with that era's more relaxed approach to on-screen comedy.
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