# New Movie Pinball: The Man Who Saved the Game Now Available to Stream

**Source:** Knapp Arcade  
**Type:** article  
**Published:** 2022-10-12  
**Beat:** Pinball

**URL:** https://www.knapparcade.org/new-movie-pinball-the-man-who-saved-the-game-now-available-to-stream

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## Analysis

The documentary film 'Pinball: The Man Who Saved the Game' about Roger Sharpe is now available to stream virtually through the Heartland International Film Festival in the U.S. for a limited time at $14 per ticket. The film chronicles Sharpe's role in overturning NYC's 35-year ban on pinball and stars Tony and BAFTA nominee Mike Faist.

### Key Claims

- [HIGH] Roger Sharpe overturned New York City's 35-year-old ban on pinball machines — _Documentary film description; aligns with known historical fact about Sharpe's 1976 testimony establishing pinball as game of skill_
- [HIGH] The film stars Mike Faist, a Tony and BAFTA nominee known for West Side Story — _Official film description_
- [HIGH] The film has been making rounds at film festivals across the United States — _Article states festival circuit; Heartland International Film Festival is most recent stop mentioned_

### Notable Quotes

> "The unbelievable true story of Roger Sharpe, the young Midwesterner who overturned New York City's 35-year-old ban on pinball machines."
> — **Film description**
> _Official framing of the documentary's central narrative about Sharpe's historical impact on pinball legalization_

> "Pinball: The Man Who Saved the Game"
> — **Film title**
> _Documentary title emphasizing Sharpe's role as savior of the pinball industry_

### Entities

| Name | Type | Context |
|------|------|---------|
| Roger Sharpe | person | Subject of documentary; legendary pinball historian and advocate credited with overturning NYC's ban on pinball through 1976 testimony establishing the game as skill-based |
| Pinball: The Man Who Saved the Game | product | Documentary film about Roger Sharpe, now streaming via Heartland International Film Festival |
| Mike Faist | person | Actor starring in the documentary; Tony and BAFTA nominee known for Steven Spielberg's West Side Story |
| Heartland International Film Festival | event | Film festival that screened the Sharpe documentary and is offering limited-time virtual streaming access in the U.S. |

### Topics

- **Primary:** Roger Sharpe biography and legacy, Pinball history and legalization
- **Secondary:** Documentary film and festival circuit

### Sentiment

**Positive** (0.85) — Promotional announcement with enthusiastic framing ('unbelievable true story'); celebrates Sharpe's achievement and makes film accessible to U.S. audience

### Signals

- **[event_signal]** Documentary film about pinball legend Roger Sharpe receiving wide festival distribution and streaming availability, indicating significant community interest in pinball history and cultural legacy (confidence: high) — Film has been 'making the rounds at film festivals across the United States' and Heartland International Film Festival is offering limited virtual streaming in the U.S.

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## Transcript

The new movie about pinball's most famous person, Roger Sharpe, "Pinball: The Man Who Saved the Game" has been making the rounds at film festivals across the United States. The film's most recent stop, the Heartland International Film Festival, has made it available to stream virtually in the U.S. for a limited time. Now's your chance to check it out!

Tickets to the virtual streaming event are $14.

The unbelievable true story of Roger Sharpe, the young Midwesterner who overturned New York City's 35-year-old ban on pinball machines. Starring Tony and BAFTA nominee Mike Faist (Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story).

https://watch.eventive.org/hiff2022/play/631814e201d2b10d909332c2?fbclid=IwAR2ogSncWo5TKqs15TuYwP9X

_(Acquisition: raw_text, Enrichment: v1)_

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*Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-15 | Item ID: 36ffe32c-4bb6-4170-a765-8cdf80854fcd*