04-21-2025 - on This Moment in Film History
Apr 21, 2025•2 min
Episode description
On April 21, 1989, the iconic film "Field of Dreams" premiered in theaters across the United States. Directed by Phil Alden Robinson and starring Kevin Costner, Ray Liotta, and James Earl Jones, the movie tells the story of an Iowa farmer named Ray Kinsella (Costner) who hears a mysterious voice in his cornfield saying, "If you build it, he will come."
Inspired by the voice, Ray builds a baseball diamond in his field, which attracts the ghosts of famous baseball players, including "Shoeless" Joe Jackson (Liotta). As the story unfolds, Ray embarks on a journey of self-discovery and reconciliation with his estranged father, John Kinsella (Dwier Brown), who appears as a young man on the magical field.
"Field of Dreams" was adapted from W. P. Kinsella's 1982 novel "Shoeless Joe" and became a critical and commercial success. The film grossed over $84 million worldwide against a budget of $15 million and was nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Original Score.
The movie's enduring popularity and cultural impact have made it a classic in American cinema. Its iconic line, "If you build it, he will come," has become a popular catchphrase, often used to express the idea that if you pursue your dreams and create opportunities, success will follow.
In 2017, "Field of Dreams" was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant." The film's legacy continues to inspire generations of moviegoers and baseball enthusiasts alike.
Inspired by the voice, Ray builds a baseball diamond in his field, which attracts the ghosts of famous baseball players, including "Shoeless" Joe Jackson (Liotta). As the story unfolds, Ray embarks on a journey of self-discovery and reconciliation with his estranged father, John Kinsella (Dwier Brown), who appears as a young man on the magical field.
"Field of Dreams" was adapted from W. P. Kinsella's 1982 novel "Shoeless Joe" and became a critical and commercial success. The film grossed over $84 million worldwide against a budget of $15 million and was nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Original Score.
The movie's enduring popularity and cultural impact have made it a classic in American cinema. Its iconic line, "If you build it, he will come," has become a popular catchphrase, often used to express the idea that if you pursue your dreams and create opportunities, success will follow.
In 2017, "Field of Dreams" was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant." The film's legacy continues to inspire generations of moviegoers and baseball enthusiasts alike.
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