Las primeras Olimpiadas: Atenas 1896

I saw this movie when it was on TV and have looked for it ever since.

What amazes me is they do not show it more. THE GOOD news is NETFLIX now has it on DVD (2 disc).

1984 does not date this film but should be popular today, maybe around current Olympic season.

This movies has everything, some funny things but not a comedy. Facts, pretty good, great Directing, great acting, great Scenery.

The actors are very real as today, with modern physical training, they are 'beefed' up but these kids look like what the kids in college looked like in 1896 but were no professional but just good athletes.

The part about them thinking they were to be nude like the original Olympians is worth watching. And that Greek story about the USA National Anthem was great.

If you have never seen, you are missing a great treat.

Come on Sony, get with it. Bring it back to the public.

I just got done watching the DVD of the 1984 NBC Mini Series, The First Olympics and I want to say that I thought it was very thoroughly researched. The details concerning the life of Spiridon Louis may or may not have been true. That's because the details in his life have never been made quite clear. Edwin Flack had, in fact, already finished college by the Games the had commenced and was employed by the accounting form of Price, Waterhouse, and Company. The facts surrounding Robert Garret's participation in the Discus Throw were also 100% accurate, though I don't ever remember reading about a similar incident involving the Shot Put ever having taken place. I supposed some amount of "Literary License" had to be granted in making this fine and historically accurate (for the most part) film.

I just wanted to point out a few things about the mini-series. It does indeed focus on the American team, but it represents the other countries rather well. It gives an especially good appearance to the Greeks, who are shown as being loyal, caring, and respectful people. Ironically, I think that this mini-series actually cast the worst light on America, who is shown as not even being willing to back up their team (the president at the time, and the ivy-league schools refuse to even back up the American Olympic Team), and at the same time, the Americans are shown with many of their own problems; they can't even manage to get along with each other through most of the mini-series.

On a completely different note, for those who are looking for it, the series was just released a few days ago in DVD format.

I watched this when it was first on TV back in 1984. I had fond memories of it so I did a quick search and found it on YouTube. My wife and I watched it to see if it holds up and it did. It's quite entertaining. There's a lot of embellishment to make it more entertaining, but it's in good fun. If you like history, track and field sports, and have a sense of humor, this is well worth watching. You'll definitely spend some time looking up the real history after you watch which is always a good thing.

I first saw this as a two-part mini-series in Australia just prior to the 1988 Olympics. I was extremely impressed by it, especially with regards to the role played by Edwin Flack, the Australian runner. It is because of Flack that Australia is one of the very few countries to have competed in all the modern Olympics. While it may not be historically accurate in EVERY detail, I believe the film goes a long way to depict the feeling of adventure and excitement that must have prevailed during those times. My one regret is that I find I am unable to purchase a copy (in any format). If anyone can help me out in this regard - no matter what the cost - I would be most appreciative.