Customer Reviews

Prefontaine [VHS]

5 star:		(56)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Steve Prefontaine, a record setting middle distance runner, won all his races against Americans. He led his race in the 1972 Olympics but faded to fourth by a breath. He died in a car accident (drinking was involved, but to what degree is debated) in 1975 at the age of 24. All admit that he wasn't the perfect physical specimen for a runner, but he was gritty and tenacious and would not give anything less than everything he had.

You would think it would be hard to come up with a full length bio pic about someone who died at 24. Yet, in 1998 there were TWO films that came out about his life. One from Disney and the other from Warner Brothers.

The Disney Film tells the story from the point of view of the assistant coach who was with him day-to-day, Bill Dellinger and Prefontaine's girlfriend at the time of his death, Nancy Alleman. It has a good cast with Jared Leto as Prefontaine, Ed O'Neil as Bill Dellinger and R. Lee Ermy as Bill Bowerman. Siskel and Ebert reviewed it and gave it two thumbs up.

The Warner Brothers release was produced by Tom Cruise and told from the point of view of Bill Bowerman with Dellinger as a minor character and Mary Marckx. In this film there is no Nancy Alleman and Mary is his girlfriend all the way through. Bowerman is played by Donald Sutherland and is given guru status. In both films, Prefontaine is shown as headstrong and difficult to coach. Bowerman did remain active with the Oregon program and with Prefontaine after his retirement.

In both films, Prefontaine is shown as a powerful and hard charging runner who also loved to party too much and had troubled relationships with his young women. The fans love him and his fame is correctly portrayed as is his loss at the '72 Olympics.

Since the accident occurred while Prefontaine was alone in the car no one can be certain how it happened. Both films have him swerving from a second car, but the Warner film shows the rock face that the car climbed and caused it to flip on top of the runner and crushing him. He was alive when first found, but the person could not flip the car alone and by the time they got back he was gone.

Prefontaine continues to inspire young runners and people who believe that testing your limits and giving all you have is important to living and understanding your life. That these tests are a kind of art that you create for yourself and are a kind of honesty that few actually experience (even though it is open to all).

Both movies are good, and you have to decide if seeing two films about such a short life is needed, but there is certainly much worse fare shown every night on TV and at your local movie house.

Running fans will enjoy this Jared Leto bio pic, but other audiences will probably find it an often hoaky "mock-umentary," with some of the worst dialogue and Hair/Makeup effects in modern film drama.

Fortunately, I fall into the first category so I was engrossed with the story of the famed runner Prefontaine. The story improved considerably in the second half, when archival footage and the dramatic events of the Munich Olympic games unfolded.

Jared Leto does a good job, even with all those wigs and spirit gum. Amy Locane seems to be phoning in her performance from a parallel "Melrose Place" universe.

Prefontaine's moving and inspirational story, this proves, should/would be best told through an actual documentary production rather than relying on a dramatization.

This is the greatest running film I have ever seen. It Far surpasses such films as "Withought Limits" and "The Lonleyness of the Long Distance Runner" which is now considered a clasic. Prefontaine got me up and running. I will be forever in debt to this film and it will aloways have a very special place in my heart. I am so glad that I have seen this all inspirig true tale of an underdog that defies all odds and sets his own standard for excelence. I watch this film at least 2 times a week.

This movie is great for those interested in running as a competitive sport. My prime running years developed during Prefontaine's peak years, so I was one of those keenly aware of his abilities and influence. I was sad to hear of his untimely death. This movie helped remind me of that time period and how much of an impact he had on long-distance running. It was also good to see Frank Shorter in the movie (another giant from that time).

The actors were good and the cameos by actual characters were really good. The running was realistic and fast-paced. Even some of the true cross-country scenery was included, which is not often seen these days.

The movie keeps flowing, which might have been hard for a topic that is usually laid-back. I was glad that the movie focused on the topic and did not fall for the typical Hollywood glitz that tries to cover up reality. The emotionality (the triumph and the defeat made popular by ABC at that time) is brought into new light for viewers who may have considered running a dull sport. I know it certainly got my adrenaline flowing again. Go Pre, Go!

There has been much fascination with Steve Prefontaine, for his courage, his will-to-win, and for his far too early death. A man who was the ultimate competitor, denied his just due not only by the tragedy in Munich, but an even bigger tragedy on a roadway in Oregon. Such fascination led to 2 movies chronicling the life of Steve Prefontaine were mad ein the 1990's.

For first release, the battle of the PRE-bioflicks was won by this movie, and its release and luke warm reception shelved the Robert Towne-directed `Without Limits' for more than a year.

Perhaps this story would have been better served as a Made-for-HBO film, where one-name titles like "Prefontaine" give stars like Matt Damon a chance for some good work, and media recognition.

This version, directed by Steve James of Hoop Dreams fame is very watchable, with strong support of Jared Leto (Prefontaine) by Lindsay Crouse, Ed O'Neill, Amy Locane, and R.Lee Ermey-excellent in the role of Pre's coach and mentor, Bill Bowerman, the man who subsequently founded Nike.

Maybe not an overly familiar story for the non-runners, this story needed to be told, once...and is told well here.

I give this movie three stars for general moviegoers, most of whom did not bother to see either this version or "Without Limits" the first time in theaters -- probably for reasons sufficient to them.

People who run long distance, who love Steve Prefontaine and/or what he stood for, are throwing stars at both of these movies for those reasons, I suspect, not for the movies as artworks. Since I attended Prefontaine's high school a number of years later, I met him my first week of school, I ran long distance and even posted faster two-mile times then Pre as a freshman and sophomore, and I was in the Marshfield stadium when his running colleagues carried the coffin onto the field for a memorial service before the body was taken to its final resting place south of town, I fight to retain some objectivity myself.

"Prefontaine" was made by the people who made the marvelous high school basketball documentary "Hoop Dreams." It maintains a home movie/documentary style, with rough cuts, uneven video quality, and faces talking directly to the camera (but they are actors, not the real people from Pre's life).

Leto does a magnificent job of appearing to be Pre, among shots of the actual man racing. Not much else is distinguished about this film, however. "Without Limits" is a much slicker movie, which has its advantages, but I find it hard to rate one over the other. They're just different ... and probably equally wrong in many of the details. They reflect different folks' conceptions of the man they knew: Pre's folks in "Prefontaine"; Bowerman, Kenny Moore, and a particular girlfriend in "Without Limits."

I'm delighted that any film got made about this man, let alone two; I'm gratified that either movie has served to inspire younger runners; but I think it's ridiculous to argue that one or the other "really" captures the man. Just enjoy them for what they are, and cherish the memory of an incredible athlete.

Simply put, this is a story that needed to be told. This film does an admirable job of telling it.

Steve Prefontaine was an amazing runner with an undeniable winning attitude. He loved to compete and, more importantly, he loved to win. This movie portrays that uncanny desire and his hard work ethic, right up until he was tragically taken in a car accident.

Jared Leto did a phenominal job of playing Prefontaine. He looked and played the part of a world class runner. R. Lee Ermey complimented him nicely as his track coach, Bill Bowerman, who later founded Nike. Ermey's timing was excellent, and his character was very well-rounded on the screen. Craig T. Nelson also played an excellent smaller role in the film as the college recruiter.

This good cast, and a very watchable screenplay made for an entertaining film. In a time of peace, love, and war, not to mention protests, this film gives you a nostalgic feel for the 70s. This is a good story, and an even better movie.

I've seen this movie several times. The first time it was just my wife and I. Even though she's not a runner, the movie helped her to better understand where I'm coming from. A few days later we watched it with a few members of the high school cross country and track teams. I'm a volunteer coach at the high school and they really enjoyed the movie. The team members have read the book about Pre, as well as seen both movies, and the head coach at the high school also shows them the documentary that aired on CBS in 1995 a few nights before the state cross country championships. This has become a tradition as our team has qualified for the state meet quite a few times. But, back to the movie the team members agree that Prefontaine was better than Without Limits. I think most runners would agree with us. The movie is about more than just running it's about life, determination. Setting a goal and going for it, running to win, even if it means you lose. Then getting back up, to run another day. Knowing that you'll always leave your race on the track (where it belongs). Not, stepping off and thinking "what if". And that's the way life should be LIVED. I noticed alot of reviews were into what was accurate and what wasn't, but we all know that in the world of Hollywood, accuracy doesn't always sell. I was only a freshman in high school when Pre died. And just finishing my first full year of running when we heard the news. This movie helped answer alot of questions I had back in 1975. I will definitly be adding it to my video library.

Not having seen the other films on Steve Prefontaine's life, I can't make a comparison between them. But I can say that this film convinces me that A.E. Houseman's poem, "To An Athlete Dying Young" was written for phenomenal athletes such as Steve Prefontaine.
Jared Leto gives a straightforward and sensitive performance as the daring young athlete. He seems to be in a hurry to experience all of life's processes, and at the same time, he is a very likeable and down-to-earth guy to whom everyone can relate. We come to appreciate his youthful idealism, especially in the face of tragedy at the Games in Munich, and the substantial contributions that he makes to sport.
My first introduction to R. Lee Ermey was as the hilariously bombastic drill sargent on The History Channel's show, "Mail Call". While the accuracy of his portrayal of Coach and Nike entrepreneur, Bill Bowerman as a Redneck is questionable, I gradually came to accept him as a fine choice to play Pre's mentor. It was also nice to see Ed O'Neill in a serious role as Bill Dellinger.
A viewer comes to feel how loved and supported Pre was when observing the portrayal of those closest to the ill-fated runner.
Lindsay Crouse and Peter Anthony Jacobs are his generous and supportive parents, Laurel Holliman's Elaine Finley is his calm and intelligent-looking first girlfriend; The always sweetly-impish-faced Amy Locane portrays his second girlfriend, track runner Nancy Alleman.
It's interesting to see them reminiscing about Pre about 20 years after the story ends. The make-up jobs that add two decades to the actors' appearances is detectable, but reasonable.
Young Robert Carl Burke introduces us to Pre's athletic and determined spirit as a child, Brecken Meyer, as Pat Tyson gives a cheerful sense of camaraderie to the film as Pre's friend and fellow runner.
The tragic sense of loss in Munich is profound. But the Great Athlete rallies, and works to improve the conditions of Amateur athletes as he continues to dazzle the crowds with his speed and grace on the track.
His end is graphically reenacted. But we are left with a sense that maybe he did all that he was meant to do with his life, as unfair as life itself can sometimes be. Bill Dellinger feels convinced that Pre may have triumphed at the Summer Olympics at Montreal in 1976. But it doesn't seem right to speculate about such a thing. We have to feel that Somehwere, Pre is running The Perfect Race where the Gold will never again be elusive.
I was too little to appreciate all this man meant to the world of sports when he was alive. But I have learned.
The final tribute to Pre in the Stadium where he ran is solemn, but stirring, with fans shouting "Go, Pre!" just as he would have wanted. It is a moving moment of life, rememberance, and hope despite a great loss.

This movie is amazing, I have to watch it before all of my big track and cross country meets. It is very inprational and one of the best movies I have ever seen. If you are a runner this movie inspires you to be even better that you could possibly imagine. If you don't have it, get it. It is worth it.