Second only to Casablanca....

Rating: 10/10 (20 April 2004)

One of my all time favorite films, as measured by its continued impact on my life, and by the number of times I re-watch it. Among the videos I own, Casablanca is the only one with more viewings.
I have tried to understand those who are bored by this film, but I confess I am confounded by that. Every second of this movie is terrific, from the breathtaking opening credits to the scenes at Cambridge, the incredibly realistic race scenes, the pageantry of the Olympic games, the personal duel between Liddell and Abrahams, the internal duels they both battle, the courage and fortitude of each man in confronting subtle (and not so subtle) bigotry....it all makes for a powerful film that resonates deep within the human soul.
And the supporting cast is fabulous! Ian Holm could have easily been Best Supporting Actor (for you younger viewers, check out "Bilbo Baggins" as a much younger man). Still the best performance of an athletic coach I have seen on the big screen.
This is a magical film: breathtaking, spiritual, passionate. If you have never seen it, there is no film I can recommend to you more highly (except Casablanca, but I presume you have seen that one.)