I remember seeing Michael Manns outstanding Jericho mile several years ago. Actually, I believe it to be his most complete film. Even though it is fiction it seems entirely plausible. The main character Murphy is in prison for murdering his stepfather for abusing his family. Murphy passes his time running in the prison yard. However, he has no idea how fast he is running. A coach spots him and thinks he may have world-class talent. The best scene in the film is when all the murders, rapist, and assorted misfits get together to build a track so Murphy can compete with national caliber runners. Murphy wins and it is decided he will run in the US trials. However, politics get in the way and he never runs in trials. Instead, he runs a sub 3:50 mile in the prison yard with the whole population watching. He breaks the world record and then throws his watch against the wall. The watch shatters against the wall, but the time stays in Murphy's mind. The record becomes an urban myth.
I have been looking for this film on the Internet. However, the DVD is a Danish version that won't work on US players. The VHS version is available. I wonder why one of the top TV films of the 70s is not available on DVD in the US.
Awards: Won 3 Emmys. Another 2 wins & 1 nomination
Peter Strauss got best actor in a dramatic series 1979.