Customer Reviews

The World's Greatest Athlete

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In my opinion, "The World's Greatest Athlete" may very well be the best Disney comedy of the '70's, even better than "Freaky Friday" or "Apple Dumpling Gang." It's also incredibly underrated, with Leonard Maltin seemingly alone among major critics in loving it.

Without giving anything away, it is a goofy, inspired slapstick comedy with a terrific cast including an absolutely hilarious Tim Conway as an inept assistant coach, a well-cast Jan-Michael Vincent as a superathlete, the wonderful Roscoe Lee Browne, rising above his stereotypical, potentially offensive role as
an African witch-doctor, and the wonderful Nancy Walker as a blind landlady who mistakes a tiger for a drunken
frat boy.

But top acting honors go to John Amos as the losingest college coach in history. The fact that he is black is important to the story set-up, but is completely uncommented on in the film and therefore makes the film ahead of its time, at least for Disney studios, who I believe had never before had a black lead actor in one of its films. This is also the film in which Howard Cosell plays himself in a hilarious bit and delivers the great line: "I have never seen anything like this in my entire illustrious career!"

The only reason I don't give "The World's Greatest Athlete" better than a *** rating is that it isn't yet available in the remastered, wide-screen special edition DVD it deserves. Come on, Disney, get on the ball. You have a real gem in your vault and you act like you don't even know it.

Here is an excellent example of live-action Disney from the 1970's. A fun film for everyone starring Jan-Michael Vincent as a superathlete raised in the rain forrest (what we used to call the jungle), Roscoe Lee Browne as his mentor, the very funny Nancy Walker as a 'blind as a bat' landlady, and the ever comic genius, Tim Conway. The best suprise is a very funny performance from actor John Amos as a track coach with a dismal win-loss record.

Disney Studios is graciously presenting this fine movie in its Original Aspect Ratio of 1.85:1. Why this movie and not others is, well, typical Disney mentality. But I guess we take 'em as we get 'em and Disney gets my money. Too bad "That Darn Cat, The Barefoot Executive and Lt. Robin Crusoe, U.S.N." missed the 'letterbox boat'!

Plus if you remember seeing this movie, I'd like to learn to park my car at the airport like in the movie.

I remember watching this movie as a child and purchased it to show to my two nine year old girls. They loved it. I agree that the movie doesn't age well because of the dials on the telephones and Jane's hairstyle; however, Jan Michael Vincent's classic good looks are ageless in my opinion! :)

I remember seeing this movie when I was a kid and I thought I would get it for my children. They haven't stopped watching it yet. Now that I'm older, I still enjoy this movie. Tim Conway is so funny. What can I say about Jan-Michael Vincent? I love him as an actor!

As a teen, I really enjoyed this movie. The acting was so-so and it's not packed with action but it was a fun movie. I would say that the whole family could probably watch this movie and find something that they enjoy in it. Just a simple, good old fashioned, feel good movie.

The World's Greatest Athlete movie, based on the delightful book, is a light-hearted and clever cinematic treasure that I am pleased to be able to see, in adulthood, as it was one of my favorite movies as a child. My daughter absolutely loved it. This is a rare find that Disney had put out on DVD and an exceptional work that takes you back to a relative time of American innocence in the year 1973. My favorite scene is the witch doctor, Nanu's godfather, doing the social rounds at a coctail party at a physician's conference in his honor. Treat yourself to this.

I recently watched it again and it holds up very well. It is quite funny and still works today. A lot of credit has to go to John Amos as Coach Sam Archer. He gave this silly but entertaining film a lot of character and its his vision to make jungle boy Jan-Michael Vincent the next sports super star to give new life to all his coaching efforts. Jan-Michael Vincent really looked good in this Disney movie. Jan-Michael Vincent could have been a very good star. Too bad things turned bad for him. These were his glory days. He makes a great Disney hero in THE WORLD'S GREATEST ATHLETE. This film really looks great on DVD and it truly is a lot of fun

This movie made the Jan Michael Vincent Hairstyle popular. This was also an
movie that influenced wanting to have a pet tiger. The comedy talent of
Tim Conway is classic in this dvd.

I received the product quickly and in good shape. Thank you for the quick service. Will shop with you again!

I was 10 yrs old when I saw this in the theatre, and it was my favorite movie for a long time. I'm glad to finally be able to get it for my daughter. Anyone who gives it a negative review either didn't see it as a child, and/or forgets that it was a KID'S movie, not for adults. There is very little that should be taken seriously in the story, but that did not prevent it from being a great movie for kids. I didn't think it was real then, and I knew it was a farce. I'll love it again when it arrives.