Is Face-Off Worth Watching?
Answer: Maybe not, Face-Off is likely a skip if you enjoy Drama movies.
It features a runtime of 105 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to general audiences.
Face-Off Review
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 1971, Face-Off emerges as a significant entry in the Drama, Romance domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of A love story involving a Canadian professional hockey player and a hippie folk singer. Unlike standard genre fare, Face-Off attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a conventional take on its central themes.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and Face-Off features a noteworthy lineup led by Art Hindle . Supported by the likes of Trudy Young and John Vernon , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of Face-Off (1971) is mixed. With an audience rating of 5.0/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Face-Off Plot Summary & Detailed Storyline
Quick Plot Summary: Face-Off is a Drama, Romance film that explores complex human emotions and relationships through nuanced character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Face-Off Ending Explained & Final Analysis
Ending Breakdown: Face-Off attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to drama resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Face-Off reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Face-Off?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Drama films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Face-Off Box Office Collection
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $600.0K |
| Worldwide Gross | $600.0K |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
Face-Off Budget
The estimated production budget for Face-Off is $600.0K. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
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Full Cast & Crew of Face-Off
- Art Hindle – Billy Duke
- Trudy Young – Sherry Nelson
- John Vernon – Fred Wares
- Sean Sullivan – Greg Walsh
- Vivian Reis – Grace Walsh
Top Highlights
Art HindleBilly Duke
Trudy YoungSherry Nelson
John VernonFred Wares
Sean SullivanGreg Walsh
Vivian ReisGrace Walsh
George ArmstrongHimself
Bruce ArmstrongBilly at age 3
Eric CrydermanFather
Don AllenBilly at age 11
Kay HawtreyMother
Where to Watch Face-Off Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
fuboTV
MGM+ Amazon Channel
MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel
MGM Plus
PhiloParents Guide & Age Rating
Face-Off is rated PG. Parents should be aware that it contains romantic content. It is generally suitable for all ages.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 5/10, and global collection metrics, Face-Off stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 1971 cinematic year.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Face-Off movie hit or flop?
Face-Off has received mixed reviews with a 5/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Is Face-Off worth watching?
Face-Off is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Drama, Romance movies, but read reviews first.
Where can I watch Face-Off online?
Face-Off is currently available for streaming on fuboTV. You can also check for it on platforms like fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus, Philo depending on your region.
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How Face-Off Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for Face-Off
Art Hindle stars as hot young rookie Billy Duke, who comes to Toronto from a small Ontario town to play for the Maple Leafs and coach Fred Wares (John Vernon). His aggressive play shakes up both the league, and local folk rocker Sherrie Lee Nelson (Trudy Young) digs Duke off the ice but can't handle his violent profession. The film was produced by John F. Bassett, who is a pioneer in Canadian feature filmmaking, among other pursuits. This was a project close to VSC President Jonathan Gross' heart; aside from being a true hockey fan, he spent years trying to get the copyright holders to offer up even a limited release. Considering this to be buried treasure, Gross believes the 1971 release of Face Off will inspire the same enchantment 40 years after its original release. "All in all, the hockey action, shot in 35 mm, much of it during real games and integrated into the story line, is the real hidden treasure in Face Off," says Gross. "For the fan of a certain vintage it will be like uncorking a fine wine that has aged very well." Leaf fans get about 20 minutes of action in Maple Leaf Gardens and on the road against legendary Original Six rivals of the 70s, including Detroit, Chicago and Boston in many bygone arenas. Dave Keon, Paul Henderson, Brian Glennie, Jim Dorey, Norm Ullman and a young Darryl Sittler are seen facing off against the likes of Bobby Orr, Gordie Howe and Jean Beliveau while Leaf captain George "The Chief "Armstrong has a significant speaking part in the film, along with NHL bad boy Derek Sanderson. VSC has restored the action-packed, cameo-filled classic from a 35mm print in the Toronto Film Reference Library archive and added commentary from Art Hindle, Trudy Young, and producer Harve Sherman.
movieMx Verified
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
