Four Minutes

the dvd was in great conditions and it was delivered on time. all I expect when buying a dvd. thanks!

When I was in High School, I was approached by one of the better baseball teams to request that I consider playing baseball in that organization. When I declined the representative of the team was surprised, and he asked why I had said "no". He was much taken aback when I told him that I wanted to go to college. I was reminded of this when I watched this movie. How can anyone even think of school when they have athletic gifts? This, to me, stood out above the actual story. I happen to have been a young man when Roger Bannister broke the four minute mile. I was as excited about it as were the people in this movie. I think it would be a good idea for every Coach, in all sports, would take the time to show this movie to every team they coach, every year. Then, they should have a team discussion of it followed by an assignment to write ( Yes, Write ) a report on why education is more important than playing ball.By the way, I am not now nor have I ever been a teacher. I gave the movie four stars because I thought that some of the acting, and parts of the script, could have been improved.

I found this DVD very inspirational and couldnt wait to go do some intervals after watching it. It is never going to win an academy award and might bore non-runners, but if you appreciate athletics and the mystique surrounding the 4 min mile, check it out-- it is definitely worth your time.

Aside from creating a different character as his late career coach, it was actually the well-known Franz Stamfil, this ESPN movie "Four Minutes" (2005) is excellent. The actor looks and feels like Bannister and tell his story of a young college student who proceeds to become a dedicated and well regarded student of medicine while initially training only part time yet still running excellent competitive times. The film captures Bannister's primary concentration of his studies along with his budgeted pursuit of his favorite distraction, running. Excellent scenes of his dedication to studies providing incite to his great cerebral mind and his accelerated success as a runner. The film contains amusing scenes of his first college mile with no warm up running against muscular bullies on the track nearly winning while unaccustomed to spikes and a cinder track. The film picks up speed quickly showing his graduated success, frustration at the 54 Olympics, difficulty with a challenging press and the wonderful portrayal of his great friends and teammates Chris Brasher and Christ Chataway who set him up with their excellent pace of the four-minute mile. Highly exciting film as it builds toward the great achievement and the film race is orchestrated perfectly and looks and feels like the actual race. The film captures the period well as night races are shown run in poorly lit condition soften making it difficult to determine who is leading. The DVD also includes the film of that actual first sub four minute race with interviews with Chataway, Bannister and Bannisters'' two great challengers for the four minute mile back in 54, Australian John Landy and Wes Santee of the U.S. This is a film comparable on a low-key scale to Chariots of Fire and it is `well done". Ironically, Harold Abrahams (gold medalist in the 100 in Chariots of Fire) narrated the actual race. Brasher later wins the steeple in a contested finish at the 56 games. Might have been a touch better if it included the Vancouver race between Landy and Bannister but Landy's injury may have diminished that ending. This film, however, leaves off on a very high note.

This ESPN pproduction of the factual story of British doctor/runner Roger Bannister and his quest to become the first man to run the mile in less than four minutes is a well done film offering not only an enjoyable sports movie focusing on the world of track and field in the early 50's before commercialism and steroids became commonplace, but also provides a nostalgic glimpse into the Post-WW II psyche of Great Britain.

The company involved in the making of this film most definitely learned many valuable lessons from the British classic 'Chariots of Fire' and the similarites are abundant. However despite the profuse mirroring of this earlier Academy Award winner, 'Four Minutes' succeeds at carving out its own identity and ultimately stands or falls on its own merits.

Jamie Maclachlan is perfect for the part of the subdued but likeable Roger Bannister and Christopher Plummer does a wonderful job as his coach and mentor. Journey back to a simplier time when sport and winning was its own reward. A time when destiny and opportunity offered nothing beyond the joy of victory and but a brief moment of glory.