Spirit of the Marathon

[Jnathletics]

Anyone hear about this movie? Is anyone going to see it?

A one time showing in my area on Thursday the 24th 7:30pm. Website link has area to enter zip code to see where it is playing in your area.

http://www.fathomevents.com/

Local article

Q&A with Deena Kastor and Ryan Hall

[tafnut]

Re: Spirit of the Marathon

enter zip code to see where it is playing in your area.

It'll be in MY area on the 7th of . . . NEVAH!!!

[Jnathletics]

Re: Spirit of the Marathon

enter zip code to see where it is playing in your area.

It'll be in MY area on the 7th of . . . NEVAH!!!

Did you try the coming soon date? Feb 21st, have to scroll down to find that info. So, far only two theaters in my area have that date.

[tafnut]

Re: Spirit of the Marathon

Did you try the coming soon date? Feb 21st, have to scroll down to find that info.

Unbelievable - it IS coming here! :shock: ops: :shock: :!: 8)
Guess I gotta go.

[Conor Dary]

"Anyone hear about this movie? Is anyone going to see it?"

Sounds awful. I'd rather watch paint dry.

[kuha]

I'll make the daring prediction that this movie won't earn a penny. Endurance (a genuinely fine film) totally tanked at the box office; this one appears to have even less going for it.

[Jnathletics]

I'll make the daring prediction that this movie won't earn a penny. Endurance (a genuinely fine film) totally tanked at the box office; this one appears to have even less going for it.

Well, maybe if it becomes a full release, it might make some money. As the theater near me is already sold out. :shock: I guess I'll have to wait for Feb.

[dfmonti]

Re: Spirit of the Marathon

Anyone hear about this movie? Is anyone going to see it?

MARATHON COMES TO BIG SCREEN, BUT ONLY FOR ONE NIGHT
By David Monti
(c) 2008 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved

NOTE: This story was originally published on Jan. 7; used with permission --DFM

In an unusual arrangement, a full-length feature documentary film on marathon running will be shown in USA theatres, but only for one night: Thursday, January 24.

The film, "Spirit of the Marathon," presents the stories of six runners who competed in the 2005 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon, from from first timers to elite runners like Deena Kastor and Daniel Njenga. The film explores how recreational runners use the marathon as a device to confront other issues in their lives --like divorce-- and how elite runners are in it for equal amounts of glory and cash.

"The normal person, they want to make their body slim," Njenga says over shots of him warming up before the race. "But for us, we want to make money. This is like a job and I love my job."

Filmed on four continents, the two-hour movie chronicles the training of these athletes, interspersed with interviews from well-known marathon runners and experts, like Frank Shorter, Bill Rodgers, Amby Burfoot, Dick Beardsley, Joe Henderson, Roger Robinson, and Kathrine Switzer. Shot in hi-def video, the footage of the Chicago Marathon is both varied and majestic; the producers had a crew of 62 on the scene and used 15 camera operators. There is also a rousing score.

"Spirit of the Marathon" was directed by Jon Dunham, who has completed 21 marathons. He co-produced the film with Gwendolen Twist under the supervision of executive producer, Mark Jonathan Harris, who has made three Academy-Award winning documentary films.

In an interview with Amby Burfoot on RunnersWorld.com, Dunham said it was his goal "to make the definitive film on the marathon." Judging by the trailer, posted at http://www.marathonmovie.com, Dunham gets the essence of the marathon right: it's a thrilling as it is exhausting, and fills nearly every finisher with a sense of empowerment.

"When you cross that finish line, no matter how slow or how fast, it will change your life forever," says Dick Beardsley.

# # # # #

To find a USA theatre near you which is showing "Spirit of the Marathon," go to http://www.fathomevents.com/details.aspx?eventid=693, then enter your ZIP code in the search box. You can purchase tickets through the links presented by the list of theatres.

ENDS

[Conor Dary]

"When you cross that finish line, no matter how slow or how fast, it will change your life forever," says Dick Beardsley.

Considering he ran 2:08, then nearly gets killed in a farming accident, and then goes on to get addicted to painkillers, is that change for the better or for the worse.

[dfmonti]

Considering he (Beardsley) ran 2:08, then nearly gets killed in a farming accident, and then goes on to get addicted to painkillers, is that change for the better or for the worse.

Ultimately for the better. Dick looks great in the film, and was able to get his life back on track. To be a marathoner is to be an eternal optimist :=)

DFM

[marknhj]

Has anyone seen this? It's playing up the road tonight and I'm in two minds whether to go.

East Coasters - If possible, kindly send review in while in the theater. I'll need to leave by 7pm PST...!

[tandfman]

I'm on the way out the door. Can't promise that the first thing I'll do when I get home is write a review. I'll try. Much will depend on what Mrs. tandfman has in mind to do after the movie. Stay tuned.

[bad hammy]

Playing tonight at eight theaters within 20 miles, but I'll wait for the DVD (or miss it altogether).

[dukehjsteve]

Playing tonight at eight theaters within 20 miles, but I'll wait for the DVD (or miss it altogether).

I just saw it an hour ago. You will enjoy it much more on The Big Screen.

[tandfman]

It will be playing again on Feb. 24, so if you missed it tonight, you'll have another chance.

I would not listen to my own opinion of the movie. I am not a runner, and I don't go to the movies much, so I'm not much of a judge. Mrs. tandfman loved it. I enjoyed the segments on Kastor and Njenga, and the footage of Chicago and Kenya were spectacular. I found it hard to get involved in the stories of the non-elite runners whom they featured, but Mrs. tandfman enjoyed those stories too.

I would certainly recommend the movie to any runner, and I was glad I saw it too. There are scenes that I will remember well, and there were things I learned from it. I can't say those things about many films.