Review of Race (2016) by David A — 19 Feb 2016

Race - A Movie Review.

The years are 1936 and the four leading up to what would be a test of racial and religious confrontation between Nazi Germany and the world's Federation of Athletes as they approached the 1936 Olympics which were to be held in Berlin, Germany. It was the hope and expectation, by the rising in power Nazi Party, that the Olympics would provide the canvas on which Adolph Hitler would paint the picture of aryan superiority in athletics and genetics for the entire world to see. Add to this sub plot the reality of what were the treatment of "Negros" in prewar America and the Jews in prewar Germany. Now stir in the early life experiences of one Jesse Owens whose karma would allow him to become a national hero and the humiliation of Hitler and his anticipated manifesto of white superiority on the global stage of the Berlin Olympics. This is a movie of one mans ability to overcome and persevere over any and all obstacles placed in his path by life or his own self doubts. That man was Jesse Owens. Of another man's ability to recognize that God given talent had no ethnic or racial limitation in its ability to overcome and triumph over political or cultural barriers. That man was Owen's Ohio State track coach who was to become his mentor, friend and father figure. Move this entire story line to the very real political debate being conducted in prewar America's decision making process on or if the entire American Olympic team's abstention or participation would be interpreted as an endorsement or rejection of Nazi treatment of Jews and other minorities. The movie is more then a simple biography of the first man to win 4 gold medals in the modern Olympic games. It is a story of the human conditions that existed in a time that would have profound and lasting impact on the world. More then a bio but less then a historic guide to racial and religious experiences of the times. When the subject becomes less a documentary of the times in which it is filmed, then one might hope that the story is true to its purpose and at least entertaining. The movie is positive in both cases.

Rating: A - P - S - B = A Political Sports Biography.