A runner's review of movies about running
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10 titles
- DirectorJon DunhamStarsDick BeardsleyRyan BradleyLeah CailleThe first ever feature-length film to capture the essence, drama and unique spectacle of the famed 26.2-mile race, the production features five runners - three amateurs and two elites - as they train for and ultimately run the Chicago Marathon.This documentary is already a classic, showing in movie theaters every year since it came out in 2007. If after watching this movie, you don't feel like getting off the couch and lace up your trainers, you must be dead.
5 sneakers out of 5. - DirectorJudd EhrlichStarsFred LebowEd KochNina KuscsikWithout one eccentric first-generation Jewish immigrant from Transylvania, the New York City Marathon simply wouldn't exist. Ehrlich's fun, loving, and inspirational tribute to the late Fred Lebow shows how one man's imagination, determination, and love for running created one of the world's most popular sporting events.On the heels of Spirit of the Marathon, this documentary about Fred Lebow, the mastermind of the New York City marathon, and the man who turned running into a massive sport, is as thrilling and inspiring.
4 sneakers out of 5. - DirectorRobert TowneStarsBilly CrudupDonald SutherlandMonica PotterThe life of renowned runner Steve Prefontaine and his relationship with legendary coach Bill Bowerman.For some reason, they decided in the late 90s to do not one, but two Prefontaine movies. I think this is the best one by a hair.
4 sneakers out of 5. - DirectorSteve JamesStarsJared LetoR. Lee ErmeyEd O'NeillBased on the life of Olympic hopeful Steve Prefontaine, a long distance runner who lived in Oregon and died young.While I consider the other Prefontaine movie to be slightly better, Oscar winner Jared Leto takes the edge in the lead role.
4 sneakers out of 5. - DirectorTom TykwerStarsFranka PotenteMoritz BleibtreuHerbert KnaupAfter a botched money delivery, Lola has 20 minutes to come up with 100,000 Deutschmarks.There's possibly more running on this film than all the others on this list put together. I think a good way to recreate this movie is to run the Berlin marathon with techno blasting on the iPod, while on acid.
3 sneakers out of 5. - DirectorRobert ZemeckisStarsTom HanksRobin WrightGary SiniseThe history of the United States from the 1950s to the '70s unfolds from the perspective of an Alabama man with an IQ of 75, who yearns to be reunited with his childhood sweetheart.While this movie is not about running (reason I remove at least one sneaker from the review), every runner will identify with the main character. Forrest Gump is a true runner. He doesn't do it for medals, he does it because it's an urge that most of us feel.
3 sneakers out of 5. - DirectorJohn G. AvildsenStarsSylvester StalloneTalia ShireBurt YoungA small-time Philadelphia boxer gets a supremely rare chance to fight the world heavyweight champion in a bout in which he strives to go the distance for his self-respect.While this movie is about another sport, it has the most iconic running scene in film history. In case you've been under a rock, Rocky wakes up pre-dawn for a run in the streets of his gritty neighborhood, with a crescendo paced by Bill Conti's "Gonna Fly Now" that climaxes with Rocky climbing the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and victoriously lifting his arms at the top as the sun rises. If you need to be inspired, watch it again.
3 sneakers out of 5. - DirectorTony RichardsonStarsMichael RedgraveTom CourtenayAvis BunnageA young thief takes up long-distance running when he is sent to a borstal.I thought this film was going to be more about running, or loneliness, or both. I'd rather read the book.
2 sneakers out of 5. - DirectorDavid SchwimmerStarsSimon PeggThandiwe NewtonHank AzariaFive years after jilting his pregnant fiancée on their wedding day, out-of-shape Dennis decides to run a marathon to win her back.Opposite to Forrest Gump, this movie doesn't get runners at all. One thing runners don't do is run to impress girls. While the lingo is familiar (hitting the wall, etc.) this movie doesn't get runners at all.
1 sneaker out of 5. - DirectorHugh HudsonStarsBen CrossIan CharlesonNicholas FarrellTwo British track athletes, one a determined Jew and the other a devout Christian, are driven to win in the 1924 Olympics as they wrestle with issues of pride and conscience.This movie beat Raiders of the Lost Ark to the Best Picture Oscar. While the production value is top-notch, and the score is iconic, this film is torture to watch, and quite possibly one of the most boring movies ever made.
ZERO sneakers out of 5.