Torch Cinema: 9 Movies to Stoke Your Olympics Spirit

Some of us just can’t get enough of all things Olympics. However, whether you’re the sort of fan who tunes in for everything from archery and dressage to the pentathlon and table tennis or if you just check in on the consensus favorites like gymnastics or swimming, the spirit of the Games has likely grabbed you. Thankfully, there is no shortage of excellent films and adaptations to add fuel to your Olympic fire. Here are a few of our favorites.

“Unbroken” (2014)
Based on the best-selling book Unbroken: A WWII Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand, this 2014 adaptation tells the story of Louis “Louie” Zamperini (Jack O’Connell) who competed in the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin. Zamperini later served as a bombardier in WWII before being shot down and eventually captured by the Japanese in 1943. The film follows Zamperini from his Olympic glory to his final release from a prisoner-of-war camp at the end of the War.

“Race” (2016)
Jesse Owens remains one of the modern Olympics’ most iconic and legendary athletes. During the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin as Adolf Hitler watched on, Owens would take home four gold medals in the 100- and 200-meter races, the long jump, and 4×100 meter relay. “Race” chronicles Owens’s (Stephan James) record-shattering time as an athlete for Ohio State University before catapulting onto the world stage during the 1936 games.

“Eddie the Eagle” (2016)
Inspired by the real-life Olympic aspirations of Michael “Eddie the Eagle” Edwards, this 2016 dramedy starring Taron Egerton focused on Edwards’s efforts to make his Olympic dreams come true by competing in the 1988 Winter Games as the United Kingdom’s first ski jumper since 1929. With solid performances from Egerton and Hugh Jackman as fictitious coach Bronson Peary, “Eddie the Eagle” is lighthearted, inspirational fun.

“Cool Runnings” (1993)
The 1988 Winter Olympics – the same Olympics that saw Eddie the Eagle capture the world’s attention despite failing to medal as a ski jumper – saw the debut of the Jamaican bobsled team. “Cool Runnings” is a charming and beloved, if largely fictional, account of the underdog Jamaican team’s fight for Olympic recognition.

“Munich” (2005)
Unfortunately, not all Olympic events or films can be so lighthearted and uplifting. Steven Spielberg’s somewhat controversial and Oscar-nominated adaptation of the book Vengeance by George Jonas. The book and film focus on the Israeli government’s retaliation against the Palestine Liberation Organization following the tragic killing of eleven Israeli athletes who were taken hostage at the 1972 Summer Olympic Games.

“Miracle” (2004)
This 2004 film follows the inspiring journey of the 1980 United States hockey team and its eclectic coach, Herb Brooks (Kurt Russell). The 1980 lineup would gain Olympic fame as the underdog team that toppled the vaunted Soviet team, who had won gold at each of the games since 1964. “Miracle” is precisely as cliché-ridden as one would expect, but remains none-the-less inspirational.

“Without Limits” (1998)
Another underdog story, “Without Limits” is the story of Steve Prefontaine (Billy Crudup) who, despite setting the American record in the 5,000-meter race at the Olympic trials in 1972, failed to medal at the ’72 Munich Games. “Without Limits” chronicles Prefontaine’s tumultuous relationship with legendary track coach and co-founder of Nike Bill Bowerman (Donald Sutherland) before Prefontaine’s untimely death in a car accident in 1975.

“Downhill Racer” (1969)
Based on the novel of the same name by Oakley Hall, this 1969 film follows downhill skier David Chappellet (Robert Redford) whose drive for championship excellence alienates essentially everyone in his life including his teammates and coach (Gene Hackman). With stunning cinematography and characteristically strong performances from Redford and Hackman, “Downhill Racer” is well worth tracking down.

“Chariots of Fire” (1981)
Winner of four Oscars including best picture and best screenplay, this 1981 classic takes home the gold for Olympics-inspired films. “Chariots of Fire” follows two runners – Eric Liddell (Ian Charleson), a devout Christian, and Harold Abrahams (Ben Cross), a Jewish runner – as they prepare to compete in the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris. Playing on themes of faith and perseverance in the face of bigotry, “Chariots of Fire” is a powerful and inspiring film.