I’m keen to build up a bit of collection of good movies, ones that are tri/running related what ones can you guys suggest, so far I have:
Chariots of Fire - Bit of a classic
and “Without Limits” A great movie about Steve Prefontaine-currently my favorite,
So what else can people recommend?
Breaking Away.
Saint Ralph.
My favorite as a psych up for big races is “Vision Quest”.
It’s a mid-80’s movie starring Matthew Modine and Linda Fiorentino about a high school wrestler who wants to wrestle the best athlete in the state and the obstacles he overcomes.
It’s cheesy, predictable, and good. Decent soundtrack too.
Without Limits (This is the good Steve Prefontaine Movie).
Bruce Dern … On the Edge (1985) This is more an ultra-runner movie, but the running sequences are dead on and Dern is completely realistic (he has an impressive “real world” running background). Like any 80s movie, the plot is a stretch.
I’d suggest two recent cycling documentaries:
“The Road to Paris” - follows the Posal Service in the run up to the 2001 Tour.
“Overcoming” - new documentary on CSC leading up to and through the 2004 Tour.
Overcoming (Fantastic!)
Pro
The Hard Road
Triathlon: Through the Eyes of the Elites
The Long Run (about the Comrades Marathon in South Africa)
Running on the Sun
Swimming Upstream
.
You know the scene where Matthew Modine goes to see the short order cook that he works with? My wife puts that on when she wants to show her friends how it makes me cry…
And I quote, “It’s not about the six minutes. It’s what happens in the six minutes” sniff sniff…
Only somewhat “running” related, I like Seabiscuit for inspiration while on the computrainer. The match race, and 2nd Santa Anita race always push me beyond my normal training pace.
Ferris Buelers day off.
Fast Times at Ridgemont High.
The Hard Road
Triathlon: Through the Eyes of the Elites
Running on the Sun
The Hard Road is very good.
Triathlon is one of the boringest movies ever and I am a triathlete. There is about 5 minutes of race footage in the whole movie.
Running on the Sun is interesting, but not really inspiring. My take away is that these people are crazy and are literally risking death for no reason. Running in 120 degree weather is stupid, not inspirational. Watching this movie made me feel like less of a kook for going out and riding my bike for several hours when it is 90 degrees;)
Kon Ichikawa’s Tokyo Olympiad - if only for the 15 minutes of coverage given to the marathon and the incredible Abebe Bikila.
Triathlon is one of the boringest movies ever and I am a triathlete. There is about 5 minutes of race footage in the whole movie.
Yesterday afternoon, I was on the trainer for 90 minutes. I started by watching the 2004 IMC participant DVD, and then watched the Seattle-Washington game. I watched the DVD again for the last 10 minutes (half time for the game.)
It occurred to me as I was watching the DVD, that I would much rather watch a two hour version of the participant DVD then any of the one hour TV productions (Kona or OLN productions). The participant DVD, with the great soundtrack and the occasional Q&A with the competitors, volunteers and spectators seems to be far more inspirational. The videographers must have a lot more footage, and with several weeks to edit and compose versus overnight, I think they would have a dynamite package.
I’d pay $30 for a copy easy.
What do you all think?
I saw a movie a few years ago about Haile’s life called “Endurance.” Very good documentary.
“Hell on Wheels”, a documentary about the 2003 Tour de France focusing mostly on the T-Mobile team (or were they called Telekom at that time?).
I think I have a copy to sell you if you want it. For you $29.99 plus S&H
Ferris Buelers day off.
Fast Times at Ridgemont High.
An instant classic of the genre, and definitely a motivating movie.
A veritable ‘how to’ of goofing off. I love that film.
“Endurance” is good; lots of good footage of Haile in action, especially during the opening credits where he is hauling ass on a training run.
“Miracle” is another good inspirational spots movie, the game sequences are awesome.
Some movies:
Some movies:
Oh no he di’nt