Is Field of Dreams Based on a True Story? Plot, Cast and Where to Watch
by Mathelene | Updated Sep 09, 2023
Is Field of Dreams Based on a True Story?
Field of Dreams, the movie, is not entirely based on a true story, but it is inspired by certain real events and is adapted from Canadian novelist W. P. Kinsella's 1982 book, "Shoeless Joe." While the film has fictional elements, it draws its essence from Kinsella's work, which was influenced by real historical figures and baseball players.
Kinsella's novel centers around a farmer who hears a voice telling him to build a baseball field in his cornfield. This character's inspiration comes from stories about the legendary "Black Sox" scandal of 1919, where several Chicago White Sox players were accused of throwing the World Series.
Field of Dreams Movie
Field of Dreams is a movie from 1989. It's about a farmer played by Kevin Costner. He decides to build a baseball field in his cornfield because he hears a voice telling him to do it. Surprisingly, this field brings back the ghosts of famous baseball players, like Shoeless Joe Jackson and the Chicago Black Sox team. Other actors in the movie include Amy Madigan, James Earl Jones, and Burt Lancaster, who appeared in his final film role.
This film is based on a book by a Canadian author named W. P. Kinsella. The story is a mix of sports, fantasy, and drama. When Field of Dreams came out, people generally liked it. It was nominated for three Academy Awards, which are like the Oscars for movies. The nominations were for Best Picture, Best Original Score, and Best Adapted Screenplay.
In 2017, the movie was chosen to be preserved in the United States National Film Registry because it's seen as an important part of American film history.
Field of Dreams Plot
Ray Kinsella lives with his wife, Annie, and their daughter, Karin, on a corn farm in Iowa. He's troubled by his distant relationship with his late father, John, who loved baseball. Ray fears growing old without achieving anything meaningful. One evening while in his cornfield, Ray hears a mysterious voice saying, "If you build it, he will come."
He sees a vision of a baseball field in the corn and the legendary "Shoeless" Joe Jackson standing there. Believing in this vision, Annie agrees to let him turn part of their cornfield into a baseball field, even though it risks their finances. As Ray builds the field, he tells Karin about the 1919 Black Sox Scandal. Months pass, and Shoeless Joe reappears with the other Black Sox players.
Annie's brother, Mark, can't see the players and warns them about financial ruin. Ray later connects the voice to Terence Mann, an author who had dreams related to his father and baseball. He convinces Mann, who's become a recluse, to attend a game. During their journey, they meet "Moonlight" Graham, a doctor who once played baseball. Ray and Mann eventually meet a young Graham, and a game is played.
Back home, Mark demands Ray sell the farm, but Karin suggests people will pay to watch baseball there. Mann agrees, and the farm is saved. Graham saves Karin's life and becomes Doc Graham again, fulfilling his calling in medicine. Mann and Shoeless Joe enter the corn, and Ray's father appears. They have a catch, and many people come to watch the baseball games, fulfilling the prophecy.
Field of Dreams Cast
Kevin Costner
Ray Kinsella
Amy Madigan
Annie Kinsella
Gaby Hoffmann
Karin Kinsella
James Earl Jones
Terence Mann
Ray Liotta
Shoeless Joe Jackson
Timothy Busfield
Mark
Kelly Coffield Park
Dee, Mark's wife
Burt Lancaster
Dr. Archibald "Moonlight" Graham
Frank Whaley
Young Archibald Graham
Dwier Brown
John Kinsella
Lee Garlington
Beulah Gasnick
Michael Milhoan
Buck Weaver (3B)
Steve Eastin
Eddie Cicotte (P)
Charles Hoyes
Swede Risberg (C)
Art LaFleur
Chick Gandil (1B)
Actor
Character
Field of Dreams Release Date
Universal Pictures set the release date for Field of Dreams in the United States on April 21, 1989. When it first came out, the movie was shown in only a few theaters, but then they slowly added it to more and more screens, making sure it would be part of the big summer movie lineup. Surprisingly, the film continued to play in theaters all the way until December of that year.
In the Philippines, the movie was released by Eastern Films on November 1, 1989. This means that people in the Philippines got to watch the movie a bit later than those in the United States. The studio's decision to start with a limited release and expand gradually likely helped build up excitement and word-of-mouth for the film, allowing it to stay in theaters for an extended period. This approach turned Field of Dreams into a long-lasting and beloved movie experience for many viewers.
Field of Dreams Where to Watch?
You have the option to rent Field of Dreams and watch it on Amazon Video through the internet. This means you don't have to go to a physical store or wait for a DVD to arrive in the mail. Instead, you can simply go to Amazon's website or app, find the movie, and rent it. When you rent a movie online, you usually pay a fee for a temporary period, allowing you to stream or download and watch it on your computer, tablet, or TV.
Renting movies online is a convenient way to enjoy your favorite films without leaving your home. It's especially handy if you don't want to buy the movie permanently or if you prefer not to own physical copies. Plus, you can often choose between different streaming qualities and have the flexibility to start watching almost instantly.
Field of Dreams Trailer
Is Field of Dreams Based on a True Story? - FAQs
"Field of Dreams" was directed by Phil Alden Robinson.
"Field of Dreams" was initially released in the United States on April 21, 1989.
The movie played in theaters from its release in April and continued until December of the same year.
"Field of Dreams" was released in the Philippines on November 1, 1989, by Eastern Films.
"Field of Dreams" is available for rental on Amazon Video, allowing you to stream it over the internet.