I really doubt that Olympic officials would allow athletes into the stadium before the event without supervision, and if they did, they wouldn't just be the two U. S. marathon runners. Others from around the world would be there too, trying to get a feel of the excitement awaiting them once that gunshot was fired into the air. One of the American runners is Michael Douglas, in by default because the American runner who should have gone was injured and couldn't attend.
This is enjoyable sports film that came out 3 years after the 1976 Montreal Olympics, probably in anticipation of the 1980 Olympics which the United States boycotted. Douglas is seen throughout the early part of the film, running through various neighborhoods of New York City, frustrated over a divorce from Susan Anspach which is friendly but irreconcilable. Because of that, he's been unable to concentrate on anything else so he runs and runs and runs.
The scene I mention in my intro concerns Douglas's visit to the unemployment office on a line that never moves which results in him exploding in anger at the insensitive workers who abandon their stations without replacement for a break. New Yorkers who have to visit city agencies will certainly appreciate this reference, but it has nothing to do with the film.
The point of the race for Douglas is to make it through, and that is challenged by a violent fall that breaks his arm. Douglas physically transforms his whole body and face to show the pain and exhaustion he feels, and it's a gripping moment. I had chills because like I'm "Rocky", it wasn't about just winning. Not great or original, but very moving, and an achievement that Douglas should be proud of.
This is enjoyable sports film that came out 3 years after the 1976 Montreal Olympics, probably in anticipation of the 1980 Olympics which the United States boycotted. Douglas is seen throughout the early part of the film, running through various neighborhoods of New York City, frustrated over a divorce from Susan Anspach which is friendly but irreconcilable. Because of that, he's been unable to concentrate on anything else so he runs and runs and runs.
The scene I mention in my intro concerns Douglas's visit to the unemployment office on a line that never moves which results in him exploding in anger at the insensitive workers who abandon their stations without replacement for a break. New Yorkers who have to visit city agencies will certainly appreciate this reference, but it has nothing to do with the film.
The point of the race for Douglas is to make it through, and that is challenged by a violent fall that breaks his arm. Douglas physically transforms his whole body and face to show the pain and exhaustion he feels, and it's a gripping moment. I had chills because like I'm "Rocky", it wasn't about just winning. Not great or original, but very moving, and an achievement that Douglas should be proud of.