Movie Reviews

The Olympiad Series: The Persistent Ones

The introduction to this "The Olympiad Series: The Persistent Ones" film states: "In the history of the Olympic games there have been many athletes who try and fail only to try again - this is the story of the lifetime quest for an Olympic Gold medal". Following are heroic tales of athletes who persevere to overcome adversity in pursuit of the top level of the award stand. You will discover each of their stories complete with interviews, archival Olympic footage, and narration to tie all the pieces into one riveting tale. In order of appearance, here are the featured runners: Albin Stenroos (Finland, Marathon. Following the bronze medal performance in the 1912 games in the 10,000 meters, Albin broke his leg and retired from athletics. He failed to make the team in 1920 and then, at age 35, he wins the 1924 London marathon by nearly six minutes. The "Flying Finns" amazingly win every event from the 1500 meters to marathon in these Olympic games); Percy Williams (Canada, 100/200 meters. In the 1928 Amsterdam Olympiad, Williams competes in his first international competition at age 20. He has eight races in four days and wins both the 100 and 200 meter final, only five years after being bedridden with rheumatic fever); Donald Finlay (Great Britain, High Hurdles. In his third Olympic games, the 38 year old wing commander from World War II is leading the race until he strikes the last barrier and tumbles to the ground. Finley was the athlete of the 1948 London games who said the Olympic Oath: "We swear that we will take part in the Olympic games in loyal competition in the the true spirit of sportsmanship for the honor of our country and for the glory of sport"); Herb McKinley (Jamaica, 400 meters. "If you really want to accomplish something you have to dream about it and believe it. You have to almost see it as a reality." McKinley was often favored to win as he was the 400 meter world record holder and also competed in the 200 meters. After his fifth final over two Olympiads, he finally stood atop the winners platform with his teammates from the 4x400 relay in the 1952 Helsinki games. The new Olympic record was 4.3 seconds faster than the 20 year old mark set in Los Angeles); Alain Mimoun (France, Marathon. Over the course of three Olympic games, Mimoun had set 32 national records and had only one person who he could not defeat, Emil Zátopek, until his last event,the 1956 Melbourne marathon. In addition to Olympic competition you will view European Championship running in both the 5 and 10k); Derek Redmond (Great Britain, 400 meters. Redmond won each of his first two heats in the 1992 Barcelona games, and then in the semi-finals of the 400 he pulled his right hamstring. He chose to continue around the track with his father joining him in the last 120 meters that makes this race so memorable. "For it has been written, the honor should not go alone to those who have not fallen; rather all honor to those who fall and rise again". Note that this production was originally released in 1976 and you must obtain the 1996 release to have the Redmond race included); Etienne Gailly (Belgium, Marathon. Before his debut Olympic Marathon Gailly said "I have made myself a promise. If I am standing at the finish I will win a medal." He leads the 1948 race at half way and is even still ahead when entering the stadium. The last lap on the track to the finish line must be watched to see the outcome). This tape is the fifth in the eight tape series released by Dreamworks SKG Television in cooperation with the United States Olympic Committee prior to the 1996 Atlanta games. After viewing the above lineup it is clear that a wide range of athletes, events and countries are well represented. It would have been nice to see some stories of women who also persevered be included in such a collection. Narration is again provided by David Perry and Bud Greenspan fulfills the role of producer, director, and writer of the script.

Back to Movie Reviews