The Four Minute Mile

Watch The Four Minute Mile

"Jahn Landys date with destiny."
  • 1988
  • 152 hr
  • 7.3  (107)

The movie "The Four Minute Mile" from 1988 is a British sports drama film directed by Jim Goddard. The film follows the story of Roger Bannister, a medical student from England who became the first person to break the four-minute mile, an achievement that was considered impossible at the time. The movie begins with a young Roger Bannister (Richard Huw) participating in a local track race in 1945. Despite his loss, he is determined to become a runner and trains relentlessly. We watch Roger as he goes through university, balancing his studies with his rigorous training regime, much to the disapproval of his professors and father.

As he continues to train, Roger meets fellow athlete Chris Chataway (Adrian Rawlins), with whom he forms a close friendship. Together, they set their sights on breaking the four-minute mile and challenge the established belief that such an accomplishment was impossible.

The film traces their journey to the pivotal moment of May 6th, 1954, at Oxford's Iffley Road Track, where Bannister attempts to break the record, with help from Chris and his coach Franz Stampfl (Nique Needles). The crowd eagerly awaits as Bannister takes his marks, tension building with every beat of the stopwatch. The race keeps the viewers on edge as they watch Bannister relentlessly push himself to break the world record, held by the Swedish athlete Gunder Hägg.

"The Four Minute Mile" is a compelling sports drama that depicts Bannister's relentless pursuit of his goal. The movie includes footage of the actual race where Bannister broke the coveted record, making the scene all the more vivid and exhilarating. The film also explores the social milieu in which Bannister lived and the attitudes of people towards his pursuit of sports at the expense of his academic studies.

Richard Huw's portrayal of Bannister is marked by his determination, passion, and unwavering focus on his goal. His portrayal of Roger as he relentlessly trained, pushing past his physical and emotional limits, inspiring the viewers with his unwavering passion and commitment.

Adrian Rawlins delivers an impressive performance as Chris Chataway, who comes across as Roger's confidant, friend, and motivator. Rawlins portrays Chataway as an essential figure in Bannister's journey, and his presence adds emotional depth and a human aspect to the movie.

Nique Needles is enticing to watch as Franz Stampfl - an inspirational running coach. His role may be modest, but his expressive energy, guidance, and compassion for Bannister add variance to the film and shape the story in a meaningful way.

Overall, "The Four Minute Mile" is a must-watch for anyone who loves sports drama movies, particularly athletics. Beyond that, it is also worth watching for anyone who wants to know more about the man who broke the world record and his unwavering determination to achieve his goals.

The movie captures and translates Bannister's relentless and singular focus on his goal from its opening scenes to its climactic ending, making it a captivating and inspiring story of one of the most iconic moments in sports history.

Furthermore, the film's cinematography is excellent, and the music score conveys the story's emotional weight extremely well. All these elements come together to create a moving tribute to a man who accomplished what many believed to be impossible at the time.

In summary, "The Four Minute Mile" is an inspiring, emotional and excellent film that showcases Roger Bannister’s relentless pursuit of his goals as well as the milestones one can achieve by taking challenges head-on. It is a brilliant story of sports and life, and anyone who loves sports should not miss this captivating movie.

The Four Minute Mile
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Description
  • Release Date
    1988
  • Runtime
    152 hr
  • IMDB Rating
    7.3  (107)