Average Customer Review:
 ( 35 customer reviews )
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
83 of 87 found the following review helpful:
 Heavily edited broadcast tv versionJun 20, 2005
By D. Dolan
The 1983 thatrical release tells the true but much abridged story of Billy Mills, the Oglala Sioux who came from obscurity to win the 10,000 meter race in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. The core of the movie focuses on Mills's stint as a student and runner at the University of Kansas,facing the overt racism of his teammates and the white community, and his personal conflict with his coach, played by Pat Hingle, over Mills's racing style. The racing scenes are some of the best on film (if you overlook the out of place football field at the Olympics), and "Running Brave" rises above the level of the other sports hero genre and other racing films.
I have given this DVD a 1-star rating because it is NOT the theatrical release, but the version that was re-edited for broadcast TV. (The movie was released as PG. This version, as noted on the DVD box, is rated G.) Several key scenes have been deleted, watering-down or eliminating much of the conflict. This DVD uses a 4:3 (TV) aspect ration, not the theatrical widescreen presentation. Quality of the video transfer is very poor.
47 of 49 found the following review helpful:
 Incredible Cinderella story...and it's true!Apr 19, 1999
By George L. Parrott
I use this film every time I teach the Theories of Personality, for it illustrates "self-actualization" and going beyond one's imposed boundaries.This is both good history and it is incredible inspiration for Billy "became his dream." How many of us even come close to those secret dreams we harbor? But Billy took on some of the most unthinkable challenges and he met them all. Prejudice, lack of support from his own coach and school, and various forms of social oppression are all in Billy's early experiences and yet he moves on...and he does exactly, EXACTLY what he had dreamed. If only Steve Prefontaine had lived so well.... And the REST of Billy's adult life has been just as inspired. He has raised a wonderful family, he has had a super career, and he continues to do MAJOR fundraising for Indian charities. And Pat Mills is now...the marathoner in the family! See, not only do I use this film in my university classes, but often I SURPRISE my students with Billy's presence. Billy and Pat are friends of mine here in Sacramento, and I am most proud to say that I "know them" and theirs is a life story only partially summarized in the film. Respectfully, George Parrott, Ph.D. Professor of Psychology, Calif. State University, Sacramento Director of Training, Buffalo Chips Running Club, Sacramento
26 of 27 found the following review helpful:
Dreams RealizedFeb 10, 2003
By Michael DENNISUK
"cc coach"
This is the story of the legendary distance runner Billy Mills. Mills is the only American runner in the history of the Olympic games to win a Gold Medal at 10,000 meters. He ran an incredible race but more than that he led an incredible life. Robby Benson does a nice job playing Mr. Mills (who is a Lakota Indian). The final sequence on the track is very close to what actually happened in the race. A very, very inspirational movie about a very, very, very inspirational man.
22 of 24 found the following review helpful:
Small town boy inspired by movieMay 31, 1999
I was first introduced to this movie in 1984 I was a sophmore in high school, my track coach brought it to our class to watch while other members of the track team paid no attention becouse it was about a distance runner, I payed close attention, I was the only distance runner in our school for the four yrs that I was there. This movie inspired me I went on to win at major races even to this day still hold records in high shool and it has been 12 yrs now, when I graduated high school and went to college I still loved to rune I tried to purchase the video but they allways said it was under lock and key they had not released it yet, so a few yrs went by and moved away to Okla, shopping at a grocery store one night looking at the movies for sale at there it was the original Running Brave movie I bought it and still to this day one it I watch it all the time I am know 30 yrs old with two loving boys my oldest is 7 and Wyatt 2 Gareth loves to run with me in the 5k races that I do he has seen the movie about as many times has I have when I am gone he will own it. This is the best running movie I have seen Chariots of fire don't come close.
12 of 12 found the following review helpful:
 Charming Bio Pic especially for Running FansApr 03, 2006
By Nelson Aspen
"Author/Journalist"
Billy Mills' inspiring story is nicely told in this no-frills DVD version (not a great transfer FYI). The writing and acting border on the "Movie of the Week" genre, but the real appeal --especially for running enthusiasts-- will be the running sequences. Robby Benson gives a very charming, earnest performance as Mills and is completely convincing as a runner, too.
While it may not hold the interest of some audiences, it is definitely a nice one to add to your collection of films if you are a sports/running fan.
See all 35 customer reviews on Amazon.com
|
based on 35 reviews
