Jonathan E. (played by James Caan) is a protagonist in Rollerball.
Team captain and veteran star of the Houston Rollerball team who defies the ruling corporations by refusing to retire. He survives increasingly brutal matches intended to injure or kill him, ultimately winning the championship by scoring a point without killing his fallen opponent, inspiring public acclaim. Bartholomew (played by John Houseman) is a protagonist in Rollerball.
Chairman of the Energy Corporation and sponsor of the Houston team. He attempts to force Jonathan's retirement and oversees the deadly championship match from his private box, fleeing the stands when Jonathan's victory undermines corporate control. Ella (played by Maud Adams) appears in Rollerball.
Jonathan's former wife, separated from him by corporate interests. She visits him under orders from the Executive Committee to persuade him to retire and warns him that the upcoming championship will be a fight to the death. Moonpie (played by John Beck) appears in Rollerball.
Jonathan's best friend and teammate on the Houston Rollerball team. He becomes brain-dead as a result of the extreme brutality and rule changes implemented during the semi-final match against Tokyo. Cletus (played by Moses Gunn) appears in Rollerball.
Jonathan's former coach and friend, now working as an executive for the Energy Corporation. He secretly warns Jonathan that the Executive Committee fears his growing influence and is plotting against him. Executive (played by John Normington) appears in Rollerball.
Rollerball (1975) character relationship network mapped with AI analysis. Explore the connections, alliances, and conflicts between characters.
Characters
Jonathan E.
(played by James Caan) — protagonist
Team captain and veteran star of the Houston Rollerball team who defies the ruling corporations by refusing to retire. He survives increasingly brutal matches intended to injure or kill him, ultimatel...
Bartholomew
(played by John Houseman) — protagonist
Chairman of the Energy Corporation and sponsor of the Houston team. He attempts to force Jonathan's retirement and oversees the deadly championship match from his private box, fleeing the stands when...
Ella
(played by Maud Adams) — supporting
Jonathan's former wife, separated from him by corporate interests. She visits him under orders from the Executive Committee to persuade him to retire and warns him that the upcoming championship will...
Moonpie
(played by John Beck) — supporting
Jonathan's best friend and teammate on the Houston Rollerball team. He becomes brain-dead as a result of the extreme brutality and rule changes implemented during the semi-final match against Tokyo.
Cletus
(played by Moses Gunn) — supporting
Jonathan's former coach and friend, now working as an executive for the Energy Corporation. He secretly warns Jonathan that the Executive Committee fears his growing influence and is plotting against...
Executive
(played by John Normington) — supporting
Key Relationships
Cletus → Executive
(Professional Insider)
Ella → Executive
(Alliance Agent)
Bartholomew → Ella
(Social Observer)
Bartholomew → Executive
(Power Leader)
Jonathan E. → Executive
(Conflict Target)
Jonathan E. → Cletus
(Professional Former Coach)
Jonathan E. → Moonpie
(Social Best Friend)
Jonathan E. → Ella
(Family Former Husband)
Jonathan E. → Bartholomew
(Professional Sponsor)
Story Analysis
A star athlete defies corporate control through a brutal game designed to crush individualism.
