Soporific-Ha!

Rating: 10/10 (17 July 2000)

Simply put, this is one of my favorite films of all time. I avoided seeing this movie for several years because I heard it was about two British runners training for the 1924 Olympics (how Boring!). Fortunately, I read a short review in the TV section when it was coming on television. The unknown reviewer stated that the above mentioned scenario would be boring, right? WRONG! He said that this was a must see movie, and boy was he ever right. The contrast between the English runner and the Scottish runner was tremendous due to the fact that they were running for totally separate reasons, but the commitment was the same. The Scottish runner's refusal to compromise his beliefs humbled me because I do not know if I would have had the courage to do what he did. In real life he actually had a few months notice of the race dates rather than the mere days (two weeks?) as depicted in the movie. This however does not in any way detract from the truly amazing achievement of switching from one race distance to another in a world class event. Anyone who knows anything about track and field racing can attest to that fact! The score by Vangelis was a classic! It contributed greatly to the emotion of the film. I can unabashedly say that I was greatly moved (read-shed a tear) at the end of the second big race. It was a fitting testament to the life of a great man who was cut down while a missionary to China. Great performances, great direction, great movie! I can't recommend it more.