This would have to be one of the best true sporting stories ever created on the screen. Billy Mills is a Native American Indian who has to fight against the odds to get to the top. A gifted athlete who is very proud of his heritage works his way to the top and wins the 10,000 metres at the Tokyo Olympics. It highlights the ups and downs an American Indian must face to get recognition as a man and athlete. Robbie Benson seems to be born for the part. He portrays Mills very well to the extent that the running style is very alike. The actual race brings a chill to your spine, especially the way he finishes down the straight. This is a great Movie and any budding athlete should watch it just to see how to become a winner and win against all the odds.
11 Reviews
Robby Runs for His Life
wes-connors23 December 2011
"For world-class distance runner Billy Mills, the toughest competition often began when he stepped off the track. From life on an impoverished South Dakota Indian reservation to his phenomenal upset victory at the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Mills constantly challenged the barriers of culture and his own deeply-rooted insecurities. Robby Benson stars in this true, uniquely uplifting story of an extraordinary quest for personal excellence," according to the 1983 "Englander Productions" VHS videocassette. "Running Brave" originally ran with some salty language and included a shower scene with some fleeting frontal nudity (honestly, there is nothing to crow about). The 2004 "Trinity" DVD has reportedly shaved off the pubic hair and incorrectly cites the same running time. Some mild vulgarities may have also been excised (strongest expletive used herein is the word for human feces). The slightly above average film is based on a true story about an athlete overcoming much to participate in the climactic big event.
****** Running Brave (11/4/83) D.S. Everett, Donald Shebib ~ Robby Benson, Pat Hingle, Claudia Cron, Jeff McCracken
****** Running Brave (11/4/83) D.S. Everett, Donald Shebib ~ Robby Benson, Pat Hingle, Claudia Cron, Jeff McCracken
A Good Tribute
view_and_review31 December 2019
Becoming an Olympic level athlete takes incredible work ethic, toughness, and resolve. The journey is painstaking and arduous. And that's if things go well. It is exponentially more painstaking and arduous when you are an American Indian in the 1960's finally leaving the reservation and entering a foreign world.
Billy Mills was that American Indian and he had what it took to become an Olympian. "Running Brave"--which is a play on words--is about Billy Mills' journey to becoming a gold medalist in the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo. It's almost serendipitous that I just watched this movie considering that the Olympics in about a half a year are again going to be in Tokyo.
Like any story of triumph this one had its ups and downs. Billy had his believers and detractors. If anything, this movie is a good tribute.
Billy Mills was that American Indian and he had what it took to become an Olympian. "Running Brave"--which is a play on words--is about Billy Mills' journey to becoming a gold medalist in the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo. It's almost serendipitous that I just watched this movie considering that the Olympics in about a half a year are again going to be in Tokyo.
Like any story of triumph this one had its ups and downs. Billy had his believers and detractors. If anything, this movie is a good tribute.
Good movie....great story!
mctoomey21 December 2002
While there are many films made "based" upon a true story, few come as close to portraying the actual events as Running Brave. Billy Mills' amazing finish to win the gold medal in the 10,000 meters, not to mention announcer Jim McKay's call of this race, have become legendary. Robbie Benson's understated acting style and athleticism made him an ideal choice to play the shy Mills, a Native American who was uncomfortable with the attention and notoriety his Olympic fame caused. Also, watch for veteran character actor, Pat Hingle, who gives an excellent performance in the role of Mills' college coach at Kansas.
420th Review: Truly running brave
intelearts24 May 2011
Based on the true story of Billy Mills, who went as an American Indian, in the 1950s on a running scholarship to college, then went on to become America's favorite runner, is one of the better inspirational sports movies.
Among the reservation you can spot actors who will later appear in Dances With Wolves, and the film is filled with good performances. The camera work is slightly dated now, but it the running that shines. Shot as a time when jogging was America's national sport this is one of the best running films out there - though not Chariots of Fire it does capture something of the spirit of cross-country and track.
All in all, if social justice and / or sports are your thing then you'll love this - it really is a good watch.
Among the reservation you can spot actors who will later appear in Dances With Wolves, and the film is filled with good performances. The camera work is slightly dated now, but it the running that shines. Shot as a time when jogging was America's national sport this is one of the best running films out there - though not Chariots of Fire it does capture something of the spirit of cross-country and track.
All in all, if social justice and / or sports are your thing then you'll love this - it really is a good watch.
Going Great Guns
videorama-759-8593916 August 2018
I hadn't seen this movie in 34 years. Coming to view this excellent, and obviously underrated film, just last week, I was once again reminded, how inspirational it was.
And this is what this solid told drama is, much more than say, a familiar film around, the same time, Heart Of A Champion, again based on truth. Billy Mills was the first Indian runner to win the Olympic Games, held in Japan, in 1964, and what a race he ran. Robby Benson was so good in this role, you almost can't imagine, or wouldn't wanna see him in anything else. It's a performance of such conviction, and you so like this character, who must overcome, racism, prejudice, and some unsavory remarks. He's not someone you wanna provoke. Pat Hingle did this film solid too, as one of the most stern and demanding sports managers I've seen, his small thank you, heartfelt compliment to Billy at the end, kind of short changes you,
but is expectant of this character, who epitomizes a hard unbending attitude towards giving it your all, on that track. Benson's female love interest, who became his wife, really put in a great performance too. This is one quite dramatic scene, that involved one of Billy's sorry sack relatives, who does himself in, and was quite an impactful moment. If anything, Not sure that this is fact, as if to spice the movie up. Running Brave is one of the most inspirational movies, it's reason being, it has one of the most inspirational characters in film, who has a thought provoking line about winning, which should be pondered by all.
Run for a Reason
sol-14 July 2016
Based on the true story of Billy Mills, a Native American long distance runner who overcame racial prejudice to compete at the 1964 Olympic Games, 'Running Brave' presents a detailed slice of sporting history. While he is sometimes hard to believe as a Native American, Robby Benson (who played the young priest in 'The End' among other roles) provides a sincere and heartfelt performance as Mills, and Pat Hingle is very good as his charismatic coach. Even with such promising elements, 'Running Brave' has nevertheless fallen into obscurity since its initial release and it is easy to understand why. For all its ambition, the project severely lacks focus. Subplots including Benson courting his wife to-be (who seems to fall for him awfully quickly) and Benson returning home for a brief stint always seem like a distraction from the Olympic training central plot. Sporadic flashbacks to his childhood and sentimental letters written to his sister (delivered by Benson in voice-over) likewise subtract from the immediacy of the story. Most of the racial prejudice scenes come off as rather dated too, genuinely intimidating as one policeman admittedly is. When focused on the running side of things though, the film rarely missteps. The actual Olympic race is filmed with nail-biting intensity, expertly edited by Peter Zinner (of 'The Godfather' fame) and Benson has several good moments as he clashes with Hingle over strategy. It is also interesting to see Graham Greene (from 'Dances with Wolves') younger than ever, cast as Benson's older brother.
Magnificent inspirational true story
wrxsti544 August 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Running Brave is the true story of Olympic runner Billy Mills who rose from obscurity on the Lakota Indian reservation in Pine Ridge, SD to win the gold medal of the 10,000 meters race at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.
Mills' journey takes many difficult twists and turns as he tries to thread a complicated needle meshing success in the white man's world and yet not forsaking culture and family. He is recruited into Kansas University's prestigious athletics program under leading coach Bill Easton but faces various forms of discrimination. Billy reaches a crossroads in his running where he retreats back to the Res to find himself and he later resumes his training after graduation as an officer in the Marine Corps.
The story of his miraculous come-from-behind victory is the stuff of Olympic legend. No other American has won a gold medal in that event ever and it has never been won by a non-European.
Having worked closely with Native Americans for some years, I feel that this movie very accurately portrays a number of the complex issues that they face.
Robby Benson was perfectly cast for this role. Aside from the fact that he cut his teeth in five movies as a teenager where he played sensitive but intense roles, what is less known is that he is a tremendous athlete in his own right, carrying off the intense college basketball scenes in One on One without a double. Benson's wiry athletic frame, his southern European looking dark olive skin and his natural athleticism made for an uncanny resemblance to the real Billy Mills.
In 1984, just before he was a torch bearer at the Los Angeles Olympics, NBC did a "This is your Life" show for Billy Mills with various family members and other key people such as his former coach and teammates at Kansas. The last guest was Robbie Benson who revealed that he and Billy had become very close friends as a consequence of their close collaboration over the movie. This shows in Benson's powerful re-creation of this great chapter in American sporting history.
Mills' journey takes many difficult twists and turns as he tries to thread a complicated needle meshing success in the white man's world and yet not forsaking culture and family. He is recruited into Kansas University's prestigious athletics program under leading coach Bill Easton but faces various forms of discrimination. Billy reaches a crossroads in his running where he retreats back to the Res to find himself and he later resumes his training after graduation as an officer in the Marine Corps.
The story of his miraculous come-from-behind victory is the stuff of Olympic legend. No other American has won a gold medal in that event ever and it has never been won by a non-European.
Having worked closely with Native Americans for some years, I feel that this movie very accurately portrays a number of the complex issues that they face.
Robby Benson was perfectly cast for this role. Aside from the fact that he cut his teeth in five movies as a teenager where he played sensitive but intense roles, what is less known is that he is a tremendous athlete in his own right, carrying off the intense college basketball scenes in One on One without a double. Benson's wiry athletic frame, his southern European looking dark olive skin and his natural athleticism made for an uncanny resemblance to the real Billy Mills.
In 1984, just before he was a torch bearer at the Los Angeles Olympics, NBC did a "This is your Life" show for Billy Mills with various family members and other key people such as his former coach and teammates at Kansas. The last guest was Robbie Benson who revealed that he and Billy had become very close friends as a consequence of their close collaboration over the movie. This shows in Benson's powerful re-creation of this great chapter in American sporting history.
An inspirational story of an American running legend
Titans96 October 2001
Running Brave is a wonderful film. It sends out strong, positive, messages of life, and pursuing goals. As a Cross-Country and Track runner, Running Brave gave me the inspiration to continue to work hard and focus to be the best out there (like the Prefontaine movies did). Billy Mills did not let the stereotypical attitude towards his origins bring him down, it just fuelled him even more to showcase his talents.
The last segment of the 10,000 meter final is filmed exceptionally well.
--If your a runner, then Running Brave is for you. If your a person that likes inspirational, good-hearted films, I highly recommend this movie. *** stars out of 4
The last segment of the 10,000 meter final is filmed exceptionally well.
--If your a runner, then Running Brave is for you. If your a person that likes inspirational, good-hearted films, I highly recommend this movie. *** stars out of 4
Inspirational true life story
Woodyanders4 January 2011
Warning: Spoilers
Robby Benson gives an excellent and engaging performance as Billy Mills, a shy and soft-spoken, yet proud and determined half-white, half-Sioux Native American athlete who has to overcome prejudice and leaving his reservation in order to become a champion runner who competes in the Olympic 10,000 meter race in Tokyo, Japan in 1964. Directors Donald Shebib and D.S. Everett and writers Henry Bean and Shiryl Hendryx never resort to either gooey sentiment or crude sensationalism while addressing not only the expected racism and discrimination Billy faced while in college, but also Mills' awkwardness and difficulty with adjusting to the white man's world and his own struggle with acquiring the right hard competitive edge needed to be a winner. The uniformly ace acting from a tip-top cast rates as another substantial asset: Benson simply shines in the lead as Billy, Pat Hingle likewise excels as tough and demanding, but fair and compassionate Coach Bill Easton, Claudia Cron brings great warmth and appeal to her part as Billy's sweet and loyal girlfriend Pat, plus there are sound supporting turns by Jeff McCracken as Billy's friendly college roommate Dennis Riley, August Schellenberg as Billy's loving boxer father, Graham Greene as Billy sour brother Eddie, Denis Lacroix as sad alcoholic ex-con Frank, and Kendell Smith as young Billy. The climactic major race is a genuinely gripping and exciting set piece. Both Francois Protat's sharp, sunny cinematography and Mike Post's twangy, rousing, harmonic score are up to speed. A fine and affecting film.
Long ago
bspolj144218 November 2022
I saw this movie when I was a kid. I busted out the old vhs player and watched it again. One of the most underrated films I've seen. Sure, some, and I mean some, of the acting isn't the greatest but the heart involved in this movie is amazing. Benson and Hingle hit the spot. The draft between those two and the acting is very well received and deserved. Uncle Frank (Denis Lacroix) is phenomenal as well as Graham Greene as Eddie. Graham Greene is always a fantastic treat to watch. Great screenplay and editing for an older movie. It was well worth it to bust out the old Panasonic VHS player to see this again!
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