In keeping with the Olympic spirit and to commemorate the International Olympic Day, we’ve prepared an inventory of 5 popular movie titles that have explored the lives of athletes participating in the international event.
Wednesday (June 23) marks International Olympic Day. The day was chosen by the International Olympic Committee in 1948 to market the Olympic idea and therefore the importance of organizing mass sports competitions across the planet. Over the last 20 years, the day has seen Olympic Day runs across nations, and a few nations have even incorporated the Olympic idea into school curriculums.
This year is special given the highly-anticipated Summer Olympics in Tokyo, scheduled to be held between July 23 and August 8. Delayed by a year thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event will, however, still be mentioned because of the ‘2020 Tokyo Olympics’. a complete of 339 events across 33 sports are lined up at the Games.
In keeping with the Olympic spirit and to commemorate the International Olympic Day, we’ve prepared an inventory of 5 popular movie titles that have explored the lives of athletes participating in the international event. Each of those films has garnered critical approval for their portrayal of the grit and determination that results in individual and collective success at the Games.
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1. Chariots of fire (1981)
Directed by Hugh Hudson, the 1981 British historical drama, starring Ben Cross and Ian Charleson within the lead roles, is predicated on the lives of British athletes Eric Liddle and Harold Abrahams. The film looks at Liddle’s and Abrahams’ rivalry and their journey to become Olympic champions at the Paris Olympic Games in 1924. Through two young men in their prime competing against one another, audiences are taken on a journey and obtain to experience the anguish of defeat and therefore the ambrosia of victory. Chariots of fireside was nominated for seven Academy Awards and won in two categories: Best Picture and Best Screenplay.
2. Miracle (2004)
Directed by Gavin O’Connor, Miracle tells the story of the US hockey team and their head coach Herb Brooks. Starring Kurt Russell, the film is different from your usual sports film therein it’s the coach who gets the lead role and not the star athlete. Brooks is newly hired because the head coach of the us hockey team by the country’s Olympic Committee. Despite his unorthodox methods and lots of challenges, Brooks successfully puts together the US Olympic hockey team and leads them to victory. A heartwarming, feel-good film, Miracle is one among those films that, despite the shortage of plot twists and turns, remains an honest watch.
3. Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (2013)
Directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, the 2013 Hindi film Bhaag Milkha Bhaag portrays the lifetime of legendary Indian athlete Milkha Singh, who gave up the ghost on June 18 this year. Farhan Akhtar brings to life Milkha’s character, starting at the 1960 Olympic Games then revisiting the athlete’s unhappy and harsh growing up years. The movie also reveals the hardships and struggles of the people of Pakistan and India as a results of the Partition. Through running, ‘The Flying Sikh’ makes a reputation for himself, catapulting himself into international sporting tracks. A profoundly moving piece of cinema, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag isn’t merely a sports film, but it also captures one of the various harrowing stories caused by the Partition.
4. Foxcatcher (2014)
Sweeping nomination after nomination and receiving critical acclaim, Foxcatcher may be a film that reveals the darker side of sports. Starring Steve Carrell, Channing Tatum and Mark Ruffalo, the film is about Olympic champions and brothers Mark and Dave Schultz. The film begins in 1987; the brothers are Olympic wrestling champions following their win at the 1984 Games. Mark struggles with the sensation of being overshadowed by his brother Dave and engages in self-destructive habits, which are encouraged by Du Pont, a wealthy patron who invites the brothers to be a part of his wrestling team, Foxcatcher. Carell brings to life the character of Du Pont, an erratic and almost maniacal man whose actions bring harm to the Schultz brothers. A compelling dark, twisted work from director Bennett Miller, the film is certain to stay one hooked till the top.
5. I, Tonya (2017)
The hilarious 2017 American film I, Tonya stars Margot Robbie, Sebastian Stan, and Alison Janey in pivotal roles. The film makes for an enticing watch, with its mockumentary style comedic interviews and therefore the breaking of the fourth wall. The film follows the increase and fall of figure skater Tonya Harding. Harding did not achieve a podium finish for the Olympic Games, placing eighth within the 1994 Winter Games. Her real-life Olympic skate sequences and costumes were replicated within the film. Director Craig Gillespie delivers an unapologetically loud and spirited film, perfect for once you need a pick-me-up.
