Salute

I have just come from the world premiere of 'Salute' here at the Sydney Film Festival where it received a standing ovation by some members of the audience. The film is a documentary on the events surrounding a famous incident at the 1968 Olympic games in Mexico that also became a photographic icon - at their medal ceremony United States Olympic track athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised their black glove fists in salute against the inequality and black poverty at home (they also did not wear shoes, only socks). In particular the film is about the lesser known Australian Peter Norman, the silver medalist in that race who knew the injustice that was being felt by his fellow athletes (along with the people of Mexico where student protesters had recently been murdered by the military) and how he could, through this little patch of podium, show his solidarity with their plight by wearing a human rights badge (Australia too had the discriminatory White Australia policy and had only recently at the time given their indigenous aboriginal population the vote). It is a straightforward, timely and very moving documentary with interviews from various athletes of the time that also takes a critical look at the fallout of their stand - Norman was reprimanded and ostracized, Smith and Carlos were ostracized and suspended. There are many moments of humor throughout, particularly when Norman was asked by a reporter how would the Olympics have been affected if the African American athletes had boycotted them in protest, his reply – I would have won gold! Australian Peter Norman along with Tommie Smith and John Carlos should be admired and remembered. Highly Recommended

(Flash Review)

This is an interesting look at the powerful statement three Olympic sprinters made on the medal stand in 1968 in Mexico. Americans Tommie Smith won Gold and John Carlos won Bronze and zippy Australian Peter Norman passed Carlos for Silver at the tape. During the medal ceremony Smith and Carlos made their strong Black Power salute and Norman contributed his sentiments by wearing a pin on his jacket supporting the human rights cause. This documentary is about the effects on Norman's life being part of that medal stand and the pin he wore. It of course talks about Smith and Carlos and the effect their salute had on their lives post Olympics and to the civil rights movement overall. It also focused on the atmosphere of civil rights during that time and how much they all respected his contribution. This was a unique and touching perspective on that event with interviews from the three athletes and others. Norman is a witty fellow.

Matt Norman's moving documentary about his uncle's role in the infamous black power salute after the 200m final in the 1968 Mexico Olympics is compelling viewing. It is the best movie that I have seen in 2008 (and, yes, that includes The Dark Knight and Mamma Mia). Not only that, but I rate it as the best documentary that I have ever seen and possibly the best Australian movie I have seen.

The tragedy is that had it not been for the furore over the salute, this would have been remembered as one of the greatest races of all time. The Gold Medalist, Tommie Smith, smashed the world record. Peter Norman, the Silver Medalist, equalled the old world record in a time that 40 years later (2008) still stands as the Australian record - and amazingly would have won the GOLD MEDAL at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. The Bronze Medallist, John Carlos, crossed the line only centimetres behind Norman after being caught only 5m from the line.

Smith and Carlos were sent home in disgrace by the USA Olympic Committee and their athletic careers were ruined. Norman was officially reprimanded by the Australian Olympic Committee - even though he didn't "salute" - and was overlooked for the 1972 Munich Olympics even though he had run the qualifying time many times and was ranked 5th in the world.

The movie shows the race quite a few times - a bonus for sports fans - but this movie is more about human rights than the race itself. It features extensive interviews with Smith, Norman and Carlos and shows a lot of footage from the 60s (warning: some of it is quite "grainy"). For sports fans and for those interested in the development of the human rights movement worldwide, but primarily in the USA, Australia and Mexico, Salute is compelling viewing.

A world class movie about a world class race and the unfortunate events that ensued.

I watched this doco on a plane a year or so ago and I still think about it. If an Australian today won the silver medal in the 200 metres at the Olympics he would be a national hero. Not only did Peter Norman do this he had the guts to stand up for the greater good of black rights...to be ostracised was a crime and was complete madness by the Australian Olympic management at the time and in 72 and in 2000...unbelievable..

Full credit to Matt Norman and the family for telling the story..thank you for making the effort as it moved me....

It's a post humus tribute to the Australian athlete Peter Norman, written and directed by his nephew Matt Norman. Some interesting interviews with all three men, but don't expect to see much about the stories of the two American athletes. Good production value.