On R List of Movie Reviews
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Running Brave (1983)
Rate:
6
Viewed:
12/23
12/23:
You have to be a serious runner to know who Billy Mills is and the existence of a movie called Running Brave.
Long forgotten and probably never recognized to begin with, Billy Mills shocked everybody by winning the gold medal in
the 10,000 meters at the 1964 Olympiad Games in Tokyo, Japan. An American Indian, he was considered a long shot by not
establishing himself as a contender on the world stage.
At that time, Australian Ron Clarke was the most feared runner, having been destined to win, but what people didn't know is
he was showing off his world-class speed on track within a couple of days before the race which left him tired. Currently,
Billy Mills is the only American Olympic champion in the event. He ran the marathon a week later which was won by the great
barefooted Abebe Bikila.
Displaying too much of made-for-TV feel with weak subplots, Running Brave paints a story of how Billy Mills was able
to overcome the odds, but it's hard to say what's factual because no book exists on his life which will have made for an
interesting read. The scene that shows him being intentionally pushed off by one of the runners isn't true; Mohammed Gammoudi
of Tunisia was only making a breakthrough.
Robby Benson may look like Billy Mills, but it's disappointing that they couldn't get an actual American Indian to play him
given how much the movie centers around racism. Surprisingly, he did become a serious runner, completing a marathon,
despite his cardiac issues which ultimately resulted in four open-heart surgeries since age 28.
All in all, Running Brave is an okay movie, but I prefer to watch the 10,000 meter race in its entirety which isn't
available on the internet.