This Japanese documentary was only the second feature film to cover the Summer Olympics, the first being the 1936 Berlin Olympics in the two-part film Olympia by Leni Riefenstahl, it is also featured in the book 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die, directed by Kon Ichikawa (The Burmese Harp, An Actor's Revenge). This film covers the 1964 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan. Using 164 cameras, including with slow-motion and night-vision, it covers the opening and closing ceremonies, the lighting of the Olympic torch, and the highlights of the athletes competing. The sports seen, with many close-ups, blurring, ocassional black-and-white colour, and other clever filming techniques, include sprinting and marathons, track and field athletics, long jump, pole vaulting, shotput, hammer throw, weightlifting, hurdles, gymnastics, swimming, fencing, wrestling, shooting, cycling, football, hockey, basketball, sailing and many more. There are also the little sections that see the competitors training, resting with food and drink. With English commentary by Jack Douglas. It does not focus on the specific results in each event, it is much more about the performance, the techniques, the stamina and the reactions of the winners and losers. It may not have the statistics, but it is an inspirational tribute to human athleticism and endurance, a worthwhile documentary. Very good!
Review of Tokyo Olympiad
