Endurance

Unfortunately, this film is no longer on the big screen. For that matter, I don't ever remember it being in Toronto during it's initial run. Too bad.

I had to watch this film on video, which I think detracted from the dramatic impact. It was very considerable, though, so I can only imagine what viewing the film in a theatre would be like.

I kept thinking while watching "Endurance" how it compares with "Chariots of Fire" and "Without Limits", two dramatised running films of note. Quite honestly, it is the best of the three.

I was in Ethiopia last spring (1999): seeing what I saw on the screen, as well as knowing first hand what the people of Ethiia have had to overcome to just stay alive, makes Mr. Sallassie's achievement more remarkable.

In addition to chronicalling Mr. Sallassie's achievements at the Atlanta Games, "Endurance" also highlights the qualities of Ethiopia: it beauty, the gentleness of the people, and the deep history of the culture.

Beautifully shot, and scored, this film elevates documentaries over the paucity of ideas and emotional depth of fictionalized films. Well worth seeing...take your children.

This movie made my list of top sports films -- along with Lagaan and Chariots of Fire.

The story is simple and tells about the development of this particular writer. It starts with him as a little boy who develops a talent for running because he has to run to school every day. In addition, he has his daily chores. He grows up and wants to be a runner but his father disapproves. Those who like movies about other cultures will find it gentle and refreshing. Most adults should like it. And although the film is about running, it's also about spirituality, family, and running a spiritual race. Although the film has a documentary feel, and definitely marches to its own drum, most kids will identify with Haile as a child and will be as overjoyed at the Olympics scene as the runners family were.

When I used to teach I used to bring in films for my students -- if they were good-- to show them what the rest of the world was like. As I watched this film, it occurred to me that both school teachers and religious teachers could use this film in their classes.

The Ethiopian music on the soundtrack is wonderful.

Having spent time in Ethiopia, this movie brings back so many memories. You truly can get a feel for the country in watching it. I can almost smell the smoke and the spicy plants. So many things are perfect, but I guess that is to be expected since it was filmed in Ethiopia. A friend asked why Haile was making a hiccuping sound when he was talking to the coach for the first time. That means he was listening intently and eagerly. The food his mother was cooking in the beginning is "injeria" which a kind of sourdough pancake/bread made from the grassy grain "tef". Makes me want to get on planning my next trip to Addis! A must see for anyone preparing for a trip there and also for those who love track and field sports.

Most of you have never been to Africa, and for that reason alone, you should see this film. It will show you that the real Africa does not look a bit like the one in "Abbott and Costello Lost in the Jungle". In a way, it shows the real Africa the way Qiu Ju shows the real China. Having said that, I caution you not to choose this if you want vanilla movie fare. Save this for one of those times you are prepared to watch a film that unfolds in front you a life of very real and ordinary people a world away from you.

Being an avid runner, I searched high and low to find a theater that was showing this film and rushed out to one on June 4th. I sat there with the very small audience and watched for 1 hour 22 minutes. By the time I left the theater, I was really aware of how little perseverance most of us have. When life hands you a bad hand, what do you do? I know what Haile did, he took his bad hand and made it work for him. Although I didn't really like the style used to tell the story (show me, don't tell me), it speaks volumes about the value of perseverance. Don't go expecting another Without Limits, just go. Go with an open mind and Endurance will definitely speak to you too.