Running Brave

This would have to be one of the best true sporting stories ever created on the screen. Billy Mills is a Native American Indian who has to fight against the odds to get to the top. A gifted athlete who is very proud of his heritage works his way to the top and wins the 10,000 metres at the Tokyo Olympics. It highlights the ups and downs an American Indian must face to get recognition as a man and athlete. Robbie Benson seems to be born for the part. He portrays Mills very well to the extent that the running style is very alike. The actual race brings a chill to your spine, especially the way he finishes down the straight. This is a great Movie and any budding athlete should watch it just to see how to become a winner and win against all the odds.

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.

"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

Based on the true story of Billy Mills, a Native American long distance runner who overcame racial prejudice to compete at the 1964 Olympic Games, 'Running Brave' presents a detailed slice of sporting history. While he is sometimes hard to believe as a Native American, Robby Benson (who played the young priest in 'The End' among other roles) provides a sincere and heartfelt performance as Mills, and Pat Hingle is very good as his charismatic coach. Even with such promising elements, 'Running Brave' has nevertheless fallen into obscurity since its initial release and it is easy to understand why. For all its ambition, the project severely lacks focus. Subplots including Benson courting his wife to-be (who seems to fall for him awfully quickly) and Benson returning home for a brief stint always seem like a distraction from the Olympic training central plot. Sporadic flashbacks to his childhood and sentimental letters written to his sister (delivered by Benson in voice-over) likewise subtract from the immediacy of the story. Most of the racial prejudice scenes come off as rather dated too, genuinely intimidating as one policeman admittedly is. When focused on the running side of things though, the film rarely missteps. The actual Olympic race is filmed with nail-biting intensity, expertly edited by Peter Zinner (of 'The Godfather' fame) and Benson has several good moments as he clashes with Hingle over strategy. It is also interesting to see Graham Greene (from 'Dances with Wolves') younger than ever, cast as Benson's older brother.

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.