A college teamate of mine brought some movies from home that I'd never seen.
"Super-milers" a documentary style movie about the lowering of the mile world record is pretty sweet, and
"Born to Run:the Sebastian Coe Story" is awesome. I'm not a big fan of his personality, but I still have to watch to see how awesome he was in races and workouts, both of which the film shows. If you can find either of these I'd defititely watch them.
Luke wrote:
Unfortunately, I don't think any non-documentary movie has been as good about running as "Downhill Racer" was about skiing.
I agree. "Downhill Racer" remains my top non-documentary sports movie.
Among running movies, "Endurance," "On the Edge," "The Games," and "The Jericho Mile" would get a thumbs-up from me, although I haven't seen most of them in a very long time. Other running movies have been disappointing, and a number have been affirmatively awful.
Among documentaries, I would note Bud Greenspan's series, "The Olympiad."
How hard are these movies to obtain?
Some women sport movies, I didn't say they were good!
Personal Best, with Mariel Hemingway, also features Patrice Donnelly. It's a portrayal of a lesbian love affair betwen athlete and coach. Nonetheless, even those who are uncomfortable with these aspects of the film will find themselves caught up in the story's enthusiastic exploration of the physical, psychological, and philosophical sides of the main characters. (maybe?)
Golden Girl, Susan Anton, while being groomed for Olympic stardom and drugged to the max in order to reach Olympic heights, Goldine Serafin loses her won identity and seeks ways to exit the sport to discover herself again. Real life version might be the Katrina Krabbe story.
And back in the 60's a movie was made, it seemed like it was a one of the "Gidget" series in which a young girl joins the boys track team and she start to beat all the boys on the team in long distant events. She credit her success to listening to this beach bop music with a fast beat, alone in her bedroom at night, and when she runs she gets the "beat" in her head. You see this film footage of this sort of pudgy, not so fit pretty girl running with her head bobbing back and forth like Paula passing all these boys on the track, and the soundtrack has this beach music playing as her head is rotating - it is hysterical. Anyone know the name of that film or ever seen it?
Answered my own question: "Billie"
Listings: "B"
Babe
From her autobiography, This Life I've Led, Mildred "Babe" Didrikson Zaharias is joined by Joanna Lee in creating the screenplay for this film. This 1975 release lasting 107-minutes features Susan Clark in the role of Babe. Her athletic accomplishments from track, basketball, baseball, bowling, and golf truly set her apart from the pack as one of the greatest women athletes of the 20th century.
Babes In Boyland
From: Idols of the Game
In sports, the standards and opportunities for the genders are as different as the sexes themselves. "Babes in Boyland" focuses on the obstacles female superstars have overcome to make it to the top. Placing this battle in perspective, the careers of top athletes from the same era, including Joe Namath and Billie Jean King, are compared. It celebrates athletes like Babe Didrikson, Chris Evert and others who have challenged conventional wisdom about women in sports. Produced by Mary Brown and Kathy Sulkes this 1995 release lasts 95 minutes as a co-production of Bobkat Productions and Turner Original Productions.
Barcelona '92 Olympic Games
The great performances and stories behind the XXV Olympiad
Bob Costas hosts this NBC sports video that was released in 1992 with a total tape time of 96 minutes. After the introduction and opening ceremony this tape jumps right into about 15 minutes of Track coverage and then about 6 minutes of the Field events. Eight Men's running events are covered showing everything up to 400 meters in its entirety. Linford Christie leads Frank Fredericks and Dennis Mitchell in the 100 meters; Mike Marsh wins the 200; Quincy Watts runs the second fastest 400 ever in leading Steve Lewis to the line in the 400 meter event; hometown favorite Fermin Cacho wins the 1500 meter where only the last straight is shown; Mark McKoy from Canada wins over Tony Dees and Jack Pierce in the high hurdles; Kevin Young sets a World Record of 46.79 in defeating Winthrop Graham and Kirss Akabusi in the 400 hurdles with unique overhead camera work for the first two hurdles; Mike Marsh, Leroy Burrell, Dennis Mitchell and Carl Lewis combine to set a World Record 4x100 relay in 37.40; and finally for men was the 4x400 finish with the United States setting another World Record of 2:55.74. The coverage of the seven women's running events features: Gail Devers, Gwen Torrence, Merlene Ottey (in her 4th Olympics) all in the 100 meters; Juliet Cuthbert and Ottey chase Torrence in the 200 meters; Hassiba Boulmerka becomes the first ever Olympic champion from Algeria in winning the 1500; Paraskevi Patoulidou from Greece took the 100 meter hurdles as Gail Devers tripped on the last barrier (Devers has a short interview following); Sally Gunnell wins the 400 over Sandra Farmer-Patrick; and both relay events are shown with Evelyn Ashford leading off the 4x100 at the age of 35 in her 4th Olympic Games. Field events follow for another six minutes before this tape ventures off into other Summer Games event coverage.
Barcelona '92: 16 Days of Glory
NBC filmed the games in 1992 (above), then Bud Greenspan and Cappy Productions, Inc. spent their time delivering them in this 1993 release which was worth the wait. Lee Holdridge provides the music and Nick Michaels narrates this 132 minute film. The track athletes include Derek Redmond who tore a hamstring in the semi-final of the men's 400m race, but finished with the assistance of his father; 10,000 meter runner Khalid Skah who won a gold medal, was disqualified and then reinstated; and Evelyn Ashford who at 35 was the oldest sprinter. Includes footage of the opening and closing ceremonies and previous Olympic Games. This tape has not been released to the public and there is no current source for the tape. If you have information about how this footage can be obtained please share your source via the Contact Form. You can read more about Derek Redmond at his web site Derek Redmond.com. Lastly, Bill Mallon wrote a review outlining each of the ten stories and it can be read in Adobe Acrobat format (see pages 4 and 5) from the Amateur Athletic Foundation of Los Angeles Library, the only library that maintaines a copy of this tape (they do not loan their collection, although you can view it there).
Becoming A Champion Distance Runner
2002, 60 minutes. Available from ChampOnline.com. This is the ideal video for the enthusiastic young runner who wants to learn the "ins and outs" of what it takes to make it as a distance runner. Learn form a three time Olympian, who began running as a 9th grader and over the past 20 years has helped thousands of young distance runners achieve success. Coach Doug Brown, former University of Florida head track coach, starts with the very basics to orient the beginner and provides much "food for thought" with his observations and suggestions. Some of the topics covered include: weight lifting, circuit training, involvement in multiple sports, shoe selection, keeping a running journal, nutrition, road races and their place for developing runners, and much more. Coach Brown also shares a sample workout cycle and gives a few important tips on racing strategy.
Becoming A Champion Distance Runner: Advanced Techniques & Training
This instructional video is for the distance runner who wants to go to the next level. Quality distance runners develop over many years through a dedicated training regimen. Coach Doug Brown shares many of the valuable and success-bearing lessons, training ideas, and philosophies he learned first hand as an Olympic runner, and now implements in coaching distance runners. The entire gamut of distance running is explored through Brown's discussion of endurance, flexibility, nutrition, importance of rest, balance in your training and in life, patience, visualization, peaking, and many other critical areas directly related to continued success and improvement. He shares sample workouts, talks about collegiate-level running, discusses the value of 2-a-day workouts, and covers other areas such as circuit training, warm-up/cool down routine, and the value of keeping a running log. Released in 2002, and available from ChampOnline.com, this video has a run time of 58 minutes.
Becoming A Champion Hurdler
Hosted by Steve Lynn, the Head Track Coach at Iowa State University, comes this 2002 release that runs for 52 minutes. In this video, one of the nation?s most successful hurdle coaches takes you from the proper warm-up routine to breaking the tape at the finish line. The video instruction and demonstrations cover every phase of hurdle technique. In addition, you will find the best hurdle drills, drill progressions, practice footage, meet footage, as well as individual workouts. Demonstrations show both beginning and elite-level athletes. Visit ChampOnline.com if you want to purchase your own copy of this tape.
Becoming A Champion Sprinter
This is the video that tells you "everything you need to know" about sprinting. Coach Steve Lynn, one of track?s top sprint coaches, teaches the proper techniques of stretching, the "key" sprint drills, the start, strength and power training, racing strategy, and relay technique. The video includes drill progressions, individual training, common errors in sprinting, and much more.ChampOnline.com offers this instructional tape for sale. Year of release for this 49 minute tape was 2002.
Behind the Record: Alan Webb's High School Career
On May 27th, 2001, Alan Webb, from South Lakes High School, shattered Jim Ryun's 36 year-old high school mile record mark of 3:55.3 (set June 27th, 1965) with a time of 3:53.43 at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, OR. Webb's coach, Scott Raczko, hosts this 40-minute video as you relive this record-breaking experience. Discover insight into Webb's personality, motivation, and work ethic as Raczko discusses Alan's development and how the training and racing schedules were customized to accommodate his unique abilities. Emphasis is given to the period of time surrounding Alan's record-breaking performance. The race footage is from home video and none from the actual record setting race. The primary focus is on Raczko speaking with sports journalists and if you have done much reading about Webb there will be little you will gain from this production. Obtain this video from ChampOnline.com or the Track & Field News store.
The Best of Barcelona
Australian Sports Video is responsible for this 1992 PAL format release with a run time of 132 minutes. This video provides some of the most memorable moments from the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games including footage of the opening and closing ceremonies, Carl Lewis, Linford Christie, Gail Devers and the Australian gold medal performances at the games. The host is Sandy Roberts.
The Best of Running and Racing
AKA: Running & Racing
This 1990 production from Salmini Films is available from Sportfilm.com in VHS format. Lasting 60-minutes, you will be seeing classic running action that was broadcast nationally between 1986 and 1989. You can see a 2:10 elite marathon runner as well as a biginning runner who turns in a 75 minute 10K. It has a little bit for everyone, whether you are the serious marathon racer or just starting your running program for fun and fitness.
Best of the Best Olympic Moments
Writer, director, and producer Bud Greenspan joins his talents with his executive producer Nancy Beffa in this 1993 release which lasts 45-minutes. Experience the Olympic performances of Jesse Owens, Joan Benoit Samuelson, and Wilma Rudolph.
Better Track and Field Officiating: Running Events
The Athletics Congress; National Collegiate Athletic Association; and the International Amateur Athletic Federation join in 1989 to produce this 46-minute instructional video. Explains track meet organization and duties of the following: Referee, starter, assistant starter, inspector, head timer, finish judge, clerk of the course, marshal, and announcer. Demonstrates the purposes, uses, and operation of Accutrack, the wind gauge, and other instruments used in track meets.
The Big Moment in Sports: Volume 1
Roger Bannister is featured in this 24 minute film that was released in 1959. Filmed in black and white it was released by Sterling Educational Films and Hearst Metrotone News, Inc.
Bill Dellinger's Track & Field Series
Bill Dellinger has twice produced instructional videos while as Men's Track & Field Coach at the University of Oregon. The most recent twelve part series entitled Track & Field Fundamentals has four tapes that involve running (the rest are throwing and jumping focused). The series is designed for coaches and athletes who are looking for basic yet essential information regarding skill development. The series helps establish a solid fundamental base from which the athlete can build. Strong emphasis is given to the analysis and development of the athlete's potential through a variety of proven drills. The drills and coaching philosophies presented in these tapes allow an individual's natural expression of a given technique to emerge. Each tape in this series is approximately 30-minutes in length. The titles of the tapes relevant to running include:
Conditioning with Stewart Togher
Hurdles with John Gillespie
Middle Distance/Distance with Bill Dellinger
Sprints with George Wallcott.
These tapes are available through Wolverine Sports.com or Track and Field News e-store. Six of the seventeen tapes produced in 1988 involve running. Under the heading Championship Track & Field, these tapes include:
Conditioning the 400M Runner & Intermediate Hurdler. Different conditioning than that required for short sprints is demonstrated and broken down into elements of strength, flexibility, endurance and speed, with progressive conditioning drills emphasized. 21-Minutes.
Distance Conditioning. Guidelines and drills for competitive distance running are covered in this film that lasts 18-minutes.
Distance Running Technique.This program details aspects of top running form.
Hurdles Techniques. 21-minutes are used here to discuss and detail the proper form for high and intermediate hurdles. Demonstrates drills to help optimize efficiency throughout races. This program clearly illustrates proper performance over and between hurdles.
Relay Technique. Relays are won or lost in exchange zones. This program outlines phases of 400 meter and mile relays, showing best method for exchanging the baton. 22-minute video tape.
Sprint Technique. This program is broken down into leg speed, stride length and arm action. Also covered in the 18-minutes are block clearance, race patterns, and specific drills to improve technique.
This series is also available at Wolverine Sports.com.
Bill Rodgers: Running for Fun and Fitness
47 Minutes, Released in 1985 as part of a Fitness Series from Congress Video Group. Whether you run for health and fitness or competition, Rodgers has some helpful tips for you including: Proper running equipment and attire...a three-month running program...how to relax muscles in warming up and during the run...avoiding injuries and what to do if they do happen...different techniques for short and long distance running. These features help make for a comprehensive program on running. Rogers is a four-time winner of the New York and Boston Marathons and you can access his web site here to find a complete biography as well as merchandise, or if you are only seeking the video go to Amazon.com.
Bill Rodgers; Alberto Salazar
Goodtimes Home Video released this video in 1983 that gives a biographical sketch of Bill Rodgers and Alberto Salazar along with a brief history of the marathon in Greece. This is part of the Sports Champions series.
Billie
Originally released in 1965 this 86 minute black and white movie was released in VHS format in 1991. Some filming was conducted at University High School in West Los Angeles. The television premier was on NBC's "Monday Night at the Movies" January 20,1968. Patty Duke plays Billie who is a girl who has it all--the talent, the charm and, especially, the beat. The rock and roll rhythm in her head has her out-running every boy on the high school track team. Proving that a girl can do it all, Billie runs circles around the boys and drives them crazy.
found that synopsis along with tons of other running films on: runningfilms.com
I had forgotten about "Personal Best." Excellent, intelligent movie. Also co-starred U.S. marathoner Kenny Moore as Mariel H.'s (male) love interest.
Check out a fairly new video release called The Fast Runner (Atanarjuat (sp?)).
Its an amazing movie made among the Inuits up north.
One truely great scene of a completely naked runner, barefoot too, runing across the frozen ice escaping from his hunters. Good stuff.
K
Has anyone else ever seen "The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Runner"? That has to be one of the worst movies ever. If you haven't seen it, for the love of God don't!!!!
Richard Kimball,
I've seen 'Across The Tracks', and, for a low budget movie, it was pretty good. It was definitely more realistic than others. I think most runners would enjoy it, as I did.
F.Y.I. - In some small interview, they asked Ricky Schroeder (sp??) how he would fare against Brad Pitt today in a half mile, to which he responded that he would win, because Pitt smokes.
Damn Straight! The Jericho Mile reigns supreme over all running movies!
The last scene where he hears the results of national meet and tightens up the spikes and blasts a 3:50 mile on dirt is badass!!
I don't care how unrealistic it is the is movie is cool as shit. Unlike all the other movies that try to make running to be like f***ing poetry or something.