Running Brave

"For world-class distance runner Billy Mills, the toughest competition often began when he stepped off the track. From life on an impoverished South Dakota Indian reservation to his phenomenal upset victory at the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Mills constantly challenged the barriers of culture and his own deeply-rooted insecurities. Robby Benson stars in this true, uniquely uplifting story of an extraordinary quest for personal excellence," according to the 1983 "Englander Productions" VHS videocassette. "Running Brave" originally ran with some salty language and included a shower scene with some fleeting frontal nudity (honestly, there is nothing to crow about). The 2004 "Trinity" DVD has reportedly shaved off the pubic hair and incorrectly cites the same running time. Some mild vulgarities may have also been excised (strongest expletive used herein is the word for human feces). The slightly above average film is based on a true story about an athlete overcoming much to participate in the climactic big event.

****** Running Brave (11/4/83) D.S. Everett, Donald Shebib ~ Robby Benson, Pat Hingle, Claudia Cron, Jeff McCracken

Becoming an Olympic level athlete takes incredible work ethic, toughness, and resolve. The journey is painstaking and arduous. And that's if things go well. It is exponentially more painstaking and arduous when you are an American Indian in the 1960's finally leaving the reservation and entering a foreign world.

Billy Mills was that American Indian and he had what it took to become an Olympian. "Running Brave"--which is a play on words--is about Billy Mills' journey to becoming a gold medalist in the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo. It's almost serendipitous that I just watched this movie considering that the Olympics in about a half a year are again going to be in Tokyo.

Like any story of triumph this one had its ups and downs. Billy had his believers and detractors. If anything, this movie is a good tribute.

I hadn't seen this movie in 34 years. Coming to view this excellent, and obviously underrated film, just last week, I was once again reminded, how inspirational it was. And this is what this solid told drama is, much more than say, a familiar film around, the same time, Heart Of A Champion, again based on truth. Billy Mills was the first Indian runner to win the Olympic Games, held in Japan, in 1964, and what a race he ran. Robby Benson was so good in this role, you almost can't imagine, or wouldn't wanna see him in anything else. It's a performance of such conviction, and you so like this character, who must overcome, racism, prejudice, and some unsavory remarks. He's not someone you wanna provoke. Pat Hingle did this film solid too, as one of the most stern and demanding sports managers I've seen, his small thank you, heartfelt compliment to Billy at the end, kind of short changes you, but is expectant of this character, who epitomizes a hard unbending attitude towards giving it your all, on that track. Benson's female love interest, who became his wife, really put in a great performance too. This is one quite dramatic scene, that involved one of Billy's sorry sack relatives, who does himself in, and was quite an impactful moment. If anything, Not sure that this is fact, as if to spice the movie up. Running Brave is one of the most inspirational movies, it's reason being, it has one of the most inspirational characters in film, who has a thought provoking line about winning, which should be pondered by all.

Based on the true story of Billy Mills, who went as an American Indian, in the 1950s on a running scholarship to college, then went on to become America's favorite runner, is one of the better inspirational sports movies.

Among the reservation you can spot actors who will later appear in Dances With Wolves, and the film is filled with good performances. The camera work is slightly dated now, but it the running that shines. Shot as a time when jogging was America's national sport this is one of the best running films out there - though not Chariots of Fire it does capture something of the spirit of cross-country and track.

All in all, if social justice and / or sports are your thing then you'll love this - it really is a good watch.

Running Brave is a wonderful film. It sends out strong, positive, messages of life, and pursuing goals. As a Cross-Country and Track runner, Running Brave gave me the inspiration to continue to work hard and focus to be the best out there (like the Prefontaine movies did). Billy Mills did not let the stereotypical attitude towards his origins bring him down, it just fuelled him even more to showcase his talents.

The last segment of the 10,000 meter final is filmed exceptionally well.

--If your a runner, then Running Brave is for you. If your a person that likes inspirational, good-hearted films, I highly recommend this movie. *** stars out of 4