Watch Fists of Freedom: The Story of the '68 Summer Games

Fists of Freedom: The Story of the '68 Summer Games is a documentary film released in 1999. The film is directed by Tom McNulty and explores the political and social implications of the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, during which dozens of athletes took a stand against racism and oppression. The film begins with a brief overview of the political backdrop in Mexico in the late 1960s. The country was under the rule of the Institutional Revolutionary Party, which had been in power for over 30 years. Student protests were beginning to gain momentum, fueled by a growing dissatisfaction with the one-party rule that had plagued the country for so long.

The film then shifts its focus to the Olympic Games themselves. The Games were a major event for Mexico, which had spent millions of dollars to construct the Olympic Village and other facilities in preparation for the event. However, as the Games got underway, tensions began to flare.

African-American athletes, in particular, were feeling the weight of the racial tensions that had been simmering in the United States for years. In interviews, athletes like Tommie Smith and John Carlos speak about the anguish they felt in representing a country that was still mired in segregation and discrimination. Meanwhile, other athletes, like Bob Beamon and Ralph Boston, are shown in archival footage competing in track and field events, representing their countries with pride.

The defining moment of the film comes during the medal ceremony for the men's 200-meter dash. Smith and Carlos chose to make a powerful statement, raising their fists in the Black Power salute during the playing of the national anthem. The reaction was swift and harsh; the Olympic Committee immediately expelled the athletes from the games and sent them home.

Fists of Freedom goes on to explore the aftermath of the Games, including the enduring legacy of Smith and Carlos's protest. The film features interviews with a wide range of prominent figures, including former U.S. Senator Bill Bradley, former Olympian Rafer Johnson, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

One of the most striking aspects of Fists of Freedom is its use of archival footage. The film seamlessly blends contemporary interviews with footage from the Games themselves, giving the viewer a sense of the excitement and drama that surrounded the events of 1968. This footage is intercut with contemporary interviews with the athletes themselves, many of whom are now in their 60s and 70s.

Overall, Fists of Freedom is a powerful testament to the courage and determination of the athletes who took a stand against injustice at the 1968 Summer Olympics. The film's combination of stunning archival footage and contemporary interviews helps to bring the events of 1968 to life, shedding new light on a pivotal moment in both sports and civil rights history.

Fists of Freedom: The Story of the '68 Summer Games is a 1999 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.6.