Overfocus on Pre, Dec 9 2003

By	Alex Lukic "cool_book_man" (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews

However, I was not particularly fond of the overfocus on Pre as if he was the greatest of his time - a far cry from the truth. I did not care for the image defamation of Lasse Viren, who is depicted like the bad boy of Munich only because he is an introverted and quiet Finn and - let's face it - a better athlete than Prefontaine.

I guess the storyline tries to hypnotize the audience with Pre's feats in the US (that frankly were more of a show than an international athletic milestone), and in so doing, fails to remind it that there were legendary long-distance runners at that time from Tunisia to Finland. After all, Prefontaine never ranked in the top 10 list of 5000 or 10000 meter runners between 1970 and 1974! As digressing a question as this may sound for a film review, how come he did not compete in Munich's 10000 meter race (like Puttemans, Bedford, Gammoudi and Viren did)? His times were great... in the USA, but with the exception of Frank Shorter, American long distance runners have not made much of a name for themselves since 1970.

You want to make a long-distance runner movie? Make one about Lasse Viren winning the gold medal in the 10000 meters at Munich in world record time after falling down in the middle of the race!

Was this review helpful to you? (Report this)

Better than "Without Limits"-A Must See for Runners, Dec 26 2003

By	Daniel R. Sanderman (Portland, OR United States) - See all my reviews

Admittedly, the film's appeal is probably limited to those who are truly interested or inspired by the sport of running (or know someone who is). But athletes of all sports will enjoy Pre's story of defiance and heart. If you watch one of the two films, I'd see this one.

Was this review helpful to you? (Report this)