The Jesse Owens Story

The recent political triumph of Barak Obama, forcefully makes me to remind those first and if you may epic efforts of so many sportsmen who made the best hey could in order to make them feel and respect as human beings.

Jesse Owens was the epitome of the resistance, a true gladiator, a lavish Ambassador who demolished in front of Hitler the coveted dreams of beating the record in 1938. That political slap on the face would be the first of many and successive historical mournful and successful events around many activities, sharp thinkers, eloquent leaders, talented jazz musicians, famed classic pianists, remarkable soul stars, exceptional opera's singers, businessmen, doctors, movie actors, boxers that paved the way and materialized that well reminded maxim "I have a dream."

The film begins in a federal courtroom later in Jesse's life. He pleads 'no contest' to not filing income taxes for four years. As part of the normal sentencing process (up to four years in prison and $40,000 in fines), the judge assigns a probation officer to meet with Jesse and put together a history of his life and accomplishments. This begins the life story of perhaps the greatest modern day Olympic athlete told through a series of flashbacks and interviews with people who knew him well. It has the feel of a docudrama at times. It's a fascinating story and like so many, there is a person who played a key role at a critical time in his life. In this case, it was a Jr. High coach who saw the potential and persuaded Jesse to come out for the team. He had practice alone for Jesse before school because Jesse had to work every day after school to help support his family of nine brothers and sisters and a father who could not find work. It's an incredible life and one in which there was much struggle despite the amazing talent he had for running. Being poor and black in the U.S. in the 1920's and 30's is not the recipe for success. For all his success he remained humble throughout his life and had a difficult time saying no to any individual or organization that needed his help. The film dispels several myths that developed about the 1936 Olympics and Owens and Hitler. While the film is on the long side (174 minutes) and a little grainy in places I never was bored. One of the great sports stories of the 20th century with lots of great clips of Jesse competing, you will want to see the end to learn why Jesse avoided taxes for those four years. You may even shed a tear or two at the end. By the way, the silver medalist in the 100 meter dash was Mac Robinson whose brother Jackie became the first black Major League Baseball player 11 years later. Whenever Jesse encountered someone who didn't agree with him or was being resistant, he would say, "Let's take a walk. If we walk long enough and talk long enough, we might begin to understand each other." I know some politicians who need to hear those words. Come to think of it, not bad advice for all of us. WWW.LUSREVIEWS.BLOGSPOT.COM.

My family and I really enjoyed this DVD of The Jesse Owen's Story. The movie is a little dated (1984), but well worth watching and experiencing. It clearly and honestly portrays the life of this outstanding man - how he came to be an Olympian champion, and all that he went through after his success in the Olympics. The DVD is quite long (almost 3 hours) and does not have scene selections, so don't stop it once you are started. This story inspired me to work at being a quality individual ... like Jesse Owens.

Jesses lets people call him Jesse instead of JC becuase he does not want to cause trouble. I admired that he focused on the job that needed to be done and did not worry about being black.

A German athlete observes Jesse help a Mexican athlete do better. Later, the German athlete helps Jesses when he realizes that the judges attempt to DQ Jesses for jumping too late.

A couple scenes are out of context because they show people in a spotlight with no background.

Much of the move takes place after the Olympics.

I was deeply moved by this film that captures the reality of what one of the greatest of our countrymen went through. Much misunderstood throughout history, but cleared up in this film, Jessie Owens is an example that is just as needed today as ever. We owe a great deal to people that lived when he did, suffered in the North like he did, and paved the way for countless others to follow. His faults are honestly shown here, but we need to remember that when he came to prominence it was not like it is today. He "paid his dues" in full!!!