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IMDbPro

16 Days of Glory

  • 1985
  • G
  • 4h 44m
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
334
YOUR RATING
16 Days of Glory (1985)
DocumentarySport

The definitive photographic record of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, told "from the inside" through the lives of the participants, the words of David Perry, and the singing voice of Placido ... Read allThe definitive photographic record of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, told "from the inside" through the lives of the participants, the words of David Perry, and the singing voice of Placido Domingo. From the opening to closing ceremonies, this unique style of storytelling shows a... Read allThe definitive photographic record of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, told "from the inside" through the lives of the participants, the words of David Perry, and the singing voice of Placido Domingo. From the opening to closing ceremonies, this unique style of storytelling shows a side of the Olympic Games not seen by television audiences.

  • Director
    • Bud Greenspan
  • Writer
    • Bud Greenspan
  • Stars
    • David Perry
    • Jose Abascal
    • Saïd Aouita
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.7/10
    334
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Bud Greenspan
    • Writer
      • Bud Greenspan
    • Stars
      • David Perry
      • Jose Abascal
      • Saïd Aouita
    • 5User reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win total

    Photos6

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    Top cast99+

    Edit
    David Perry
    • Narrator
    • (voice)
    Jose Abascal
    • Self - 1500 Meters
    Saïd Aouita
    • Self - 5000 Meters
    Evelyn Ashford
    • Self - Hurdler
    Fethi Baccouche
    • Self - 3000 Meter Steeplechase
    Curt Baptiste
    • Self - 200 Meters
    Bob Beamon
    Bob Beamon
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    Earl Bell
    • Self - Pole Vault
    Tom Bradley
    Tom Bradley
    • Self
    Debbie Brill
    • Self - High Jump
    Julie Brown
    • Self - Marathon
    Ron Brown
    • Self - Relay Team
    Zola Budd
    • Self - 3000 Meters
    Ed Burke
    • Self - USA Flag Bearer
    Connie Carpenter-Phinney
    • Self - Cyclist
    • (as Connie Carpenter Phinney)
    Charles Cheruiyot
    • Self - 5000 Meters
    Joseph Chesire
    • Self - 1500 Meters
    Judi Brown Clarke
    • Self
    • (as Judi Brown)
    • Director
      • Bud Greenspan
    • Writer
      • Bud Greenspan
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews5

    7.7334
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    Featured reviews

    6Prismark10

    Going for gold in California

    I had a holiday job in 1984 and it meant I did not watch a lot of the 1984 Olympics live. It was shown late at night in Britain because of the time difference.

    I do have some abiding memories such as Steve Ovett struggling to defend his 800 metres title, Sebastian Coe bouncing back to defend his 1500 metres title after getting silver in the 800 metres again.

    Daley Thompson winning back to back decathlon gold medals, Mary Decker hitting the deck and not getting up and blaming the person in front of her for tripping her.

    Michael Gross reigning in the pool and Carl Lewis emulating Jesse Owens.

    These moments and many others are celebrated in this official record of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. The commentary is a little bit too serious and sombre. What counts are the look back at some of the events seen through the perspective of some of the featured athletes. They may not all had won gold but they have an important contribution even if was just finishing a race after battling an injury.

    This is a monster of a documentary clocking in at over 4 hours.
    2marguskiis-39294

    Boring and dry documentary of the olympics

    After several very arty and innovative olympic movies this is the return to dry documentary without much artistic ideas. Yes, we get plenty of information, pretty good cinematography and a lot of interviews but ot much more. For middle aged americans it is close to hearts because Los Angeles 1984 were ultra reaganist, ultra american, ultra cold war olympics and some of them love this era. But still, for nonamericans it has not much to offer.
    7dwpollar

    Excellent documentary of the 1984 Olympics ...

    1st watched 2/12/2000 - (Dir-Bud Greenspan): Excellent documentary of the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles which focused on both the ups and downs of those who were competing.The very first segment focuses on a last place finisher who can still hold his head high because he still held the world's record to the victories of Mary Lou Retton & Edwin Moses and their stories. Every story seems to include a second person who inspired the athlete.Well done.
    8barryrd

    1984 Los Angeles Olympics definitive documentary

    This documentary deals with the personal stories of Olympic athletes at the 1984 Gsmes in Los Angeles. They all have one common denominator, the motivation to compete at the highest level and to sacrifice a good portion of their lives to their sport. At the end of the day, they know they've done well by just being there and win or lose, they find the years of training have left them with something of great value. The Americans dominated these Olympics and to be honest, these Games were a huge gift to the United States performing on their own turf without the competition of East Bloc countries, who followed the lead of the Soviet Union in withdrawing from the Olympics. Los Angeles nonetheless did register a great triumph in their second time as host city; the first was in 1932. The huge Art Deco arch was once again on display as a magnificent backdrop for the competitions. The successes and heartbreaks, the physical pain and heroism, the suspense and rivalries were all there. The history of the Olympics is a great drama, and like the world we live in, it is often marred by war, politics and even terrorism. Yet the athletes themselves show us so much inspiration, courage and epic achievement that we cannot fail to be impressed time and again by these tremendous spectacles.
    9anniepie29-917-617555

    Worth Every Minute

    I just finished watching this documentary by Bud Greenspan. It was worth every minute of the almost 5 hours of film (4:42). It covers athletes from all over the world (well, it's the Olympics)... their challenges, victories, defeats... and no political commentary. The final 10 minutes with Placido singing "Hymn to the Nations" along with the coverage of the closing ceremonies... absolutely inspirational. (Minus 1 star for the monotone almost robotic voice of the narrator.)

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Maricica Puica boast in the documentary that if she had fallen down and injured herself during the 3000 meter race, as Mary Decker did, she would have gotten back up and finished the race. Ironically, four years later, at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, Maricica Puica abandoned her 3000 meter race, 200 meters from the finish, due to injury.
    • Quotes

      Narrator: For many years preceding the Los Angeles games, the world press had reported that the Coe/Ovett rivalry had been unfriendly. This was denied by both men. Ovett attempted to clarify the situation. Said Ovett - We are not the best of friends, nor are we enemies, rather, we are rivals.

    • Alternate versions
      Network television version contains additional footage not used in the theatrical version and is divided into five one-hour segments, with interstitials hosted by Bud Greenspan.
    • Connections
      Followed by Calgary '88: 16 Days of Glory (1989)

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 7, 1986 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • 16 kunnian päivää
    • Filming locations
      • Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Cappy Productions
      • United States Olympic Committee
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $83,857
    • Gross worldwide
      • $83,857
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      4 hours 44 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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