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People often say that life is like a movie because everyone has their own life experiences and stories. When it comes to running, every runner has their own running stories and experiences. The emotions that running brings can make your heart surge.
In the realm of movies, running-themed films are quite unique. This is mainly because the dynamic and high-speed nature of running needs to be fully captured, making the filming process much more challenging. Therefore, running-themed movies are not very common.
Today, I have carefully selected and listed ten influential running-themed movies from around the world to recommend to all runners. I hope these movies can inspire you to go further on your running journey.
These ten movies include stories of the greatest runners in history as well as stories of ordinary runners. There are also students who accidentally discovered their talents, professional pacers who help champions, overweight slackers, children with autism who can't find an outlet, and even powerless and angry rebellious youths.
Each film uses different perspectives and expressions to understand running. Through these stories, we can rediscover running.
The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner - UK
In 'The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner,' the protagonist Smith and his friend Mike are angry young men who spend their days doing nothing. They don't want to work in factories like their fathers but find no way out in reality. Eventually, they take risks for money but get caught and are sent to a reformatory school.
Ironically, Smith's life tragedy truly begins here. His talent for long-distance running brings him endless emptiness and confusion. His pride and inferiority, greatness and insignificance, witness various social inequalities.
Spirit of the Marathon - USA
'Spirit of the Marathon' is the first film to capture the drama and essence of marathon running in a non-fiction format. The film spans four continents and documents the lives of several amateur marathon runners. It includes six unique stories, each protagonist preparing for the Chicago Marathon and ultimately facing the challenge.
This is not just a sports movie but an inspiring film about personal struggle and success. Whether you are a sports enthusiast or not, you will enjoy this movie.
Marathon - South Korea
In 'Marathon,' a story filled with both laughter and tears, Cho Seung-woo plays Cho-won, a young man with autism, who runs a marathon. The film has sparked discussions and increased awareness about people with autism.
His performance is highly praised, and his collaboration with Kim Mi Sook, who plays his mother, and Lee Ki Young, who plays his coach, is excellent. No wonder local critics compare this film to the Korean versions of 'Forrest Gump' and 'Rain Man.' It is a heartwarming and delightful movie.
Saint Ralph - Canada
This film tells the story of a 14-year-old boy who believes he can create a miracle. His father has passed away, and his mother is in a coma in the hospital. It seems only a miracle can wake her. He longs to create that miracle. A punishment run makes him fall in love with running, and he believes that if he can accomplish an impossible task, like winning the Boston Marathon, he can wake his mother.
Although he falls just short of winning the championship, he earns the respect of his teachers and classmates, a kiss from the girl he likes, and miraculously, his mother wakes up. Miracles happen every day.
Without Limits - USA
'Without Limits' is a truly unembellished running movie based on the life story of Steve Prefontaine, a famous long-distance runner from the 1970s. He was the most promising track athlete at the 1972 Munich Olympics but tragically died in a car accident at the age of 24 before winning a gold medal.
It is said that 'Forrest Gump' was partly inspired by his life. Every running enthusiast will be inspired by this film. Whether in running or in life, we should all strive to be 'without limits.'
Four Minutes - USA
The protagonist of the film, Roger Bannister, was originally an outstanding medical student at Oxford University. During a national university sports meet, he ran a mile in four minutes. After discovering his talent, he found an excellent coach and trained hard, achieving great results in subsequent major competitions.
Later, at a national sports meet, Roger performed exceptionally well, running under four minutes with a time of 3 minutes 59.4 seconds, breaking both the national and world records.
Chariots of Fire - UK
'Chariots of Fire' tells the story of men who, despite their psychological struggles, run towards glory. The film is based on the true stories of two athletes, Harold Abrahams and Eric Liddell, who competed in the 1924 Paris Olympics.
It describes how they became Olympic track athletes for England and Scotland through hard work and eventually won gold medals in the 100m and 400m sprints.
Run Lola Run - Germany
In Berlin, Germany, a small-time criminal named Manni calls his girlfriend Lola, telling her that he lost 100,000 marks. If he doesn't return the money in 20 minutes, he will be killed by his boss. To get the money and save Manni, Lola runs desperately for 20 minutes, while Manni makes phone calls from a phone booth, trying to borrow money.
The film has about 1,581 shots, with 71 minutes of running scenes, averaging 2.7 seconds per shot. The entire film's theme is built on Lola's desperate running, with numerous shot changes and a thrilling storyline.
The One Man Olympics - China
'The One Man Olympics' tells the story of Liu Changchun, China's first Olympian, who went to the United States to participate in the Olympics. The film depicts Liu Changchun's struggles. It dramatically recreates how, in 1932, the famous sprinter from Northeast China refused to represent the Japanese puppet state of Manchukuo at the Los Angeles Olympics.
He tearfully bid farewell to his wife and children, escaped from Japanese-occupied Dalian, evaded the pursuit of the Kwantung Army, fled to Beijing, found the president of Northeast University, Zhang Xueliang, and decided to represent China at the Olympics. The film was released before the opening of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, dedicated to Liu Changchun and the heroes in China's Olympic history who fought tirelessly against humiliation.
Forrest Gump - USA
'Forrest Gump' is probably the most well-known movie among runners. God gave a child an IQ of only 75 but also gave him a pair of good legs. Forrest keeps running, outrunning bullies, running on the football field, running through the Vietnam War, and running past death. Running brings Forrest great honor, making him a war hero and a star athlete.
Running also gives him faith. In the face of fate, all Forrest does is keep moving forward without stopping. 'Forrest Gump' is not purely a movie about running, but its understanding of running surpasses most people's reflections on life.
This film won six Oscars in 1995, including Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Director, making it undoubtedly the most influential running movie.
Summary
Running always brings clarity, providing enough space and time for oneself, giving enough freedom. Often, this solitude allows for more reflection.
When we talk about dreams, some numb themselves with reality; some indulge in unrealistic fantasies. However, some people surpass themselves, running all the way, measuring the distance between themselves and their dreams with persistence and hard work.
I hope these movies can inspire you to go further on your running journey.May every runner enjoy the wonderful feeling and joy that running brings~