I just watched the new movie about Roger Sharpe’s story leading up to his historical moment in a NYC council meeting proving pinball was a game of skill rather than chance and wanted to express how well the movie was done.

First off the acting and production of the film were top notch! For me, it was the story that made the movie really well done and inspirational.

The movie covers more of the personal side of one of our hobby’s true heroes and offers an inside look into the personal drive and passion for the game that Roger has. Being something of a period piece, the attention to detail and authenticity are evident in every scene. The story is full of both humor and kindness and allows the viewer to understand the drive of an individual to take those personal risks in life that allow the possibility for happiness and greatness, both personally and professionally. The movie cleverly reveals how life choices and guidelines are analogous to our choices in pinball: do I take the risk or play it safe, and how those that never can give up “can never let it drain”.

You, Roger Sharpe, are much more than a “footnote” in the history of the game we are enthusiasts of. Your passion, love and work in pinball are and will be applauded for generations and you should be very proud of all you have given to pinball and accomplished both professionally and privately. You’re a model of what “do what you’re good at and makes you happy” truly means.

Thank you for sharing your, as well as your strong and supportive wife’s, story.

Anyone interested in seeing the movie should visit https://pinballfilm.com/ which provides the film festivals where it can be viewed.

It did Lloyd, but mentioned/suggested in the council meeting scene that pinball was illegal not only in NYC, but also Chicago, which I did not know.

In the Q&A with directors/producers and Roger, they also mentioned that in many large cities (Atlanta, NOLA, Oakland) pinball was banned at the time, and that in some small towns pinball was still banned on the books within the last few years.

Wish I could’ve picked their brains a bit more afterwards but we were ushered out

Email them at the website and let them know. Never hurts to ask.