The Games (1970)

Four marathon runners (one from England, one from the U.S., a Czech and an Australian Aborigine) prepare to run in the Olympic games. The film follows each one and shows what their motivations are for running in the games.

Director:

Michael Winner

Writers:

Hugh Atkinson (novel), Erich Segal (screenplay)

Stars:

Michael Crawford, Ryan O'Neal, Charles Aznavour

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michael Crawford	...	Harry Hayes
Ryan O'Neal	...	Scott Reynolds
Charles Aznavour	...	Pavel Vendek
Jeremy Kemp	...	Jim Harcourt
Elaine Taylor	...	Christine
Stanley Baker	...	Bill Oliver
Athol Compton	...	Sunny Pintubi
Rafer Johnson	...	Commentator
Kent Smith	...	Kaverley
Sam Elliott	...	Richie Robinson
Mona Washbourne	...	Mrs. Hayes
Reg Lye	...	Gilmour
June Jago	...	Mae Harcourt
Don Newsome	...	Cal Wood
Hugh McDermott

Storyline

The Games is about four marathon runners from different countries who are preparing for the Rome Olympics. The movie takes you through some of the runners personal training schedules before finally showing the marathon.

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Plot Keywords:

olympics | game | bare chested male | man wearing towel | australia | 

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Taglines:

The spectacle behind the spectacle.

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Genres:

Drama | Sport

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Certificate:

G

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 August 1970 (USA)

Also Known As:

Bitmeyen yaris

Filming Locations:

Copenhagen, Denmark

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century-Fox Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The role of Christine was intended for Judy Geeson, but illness prevented her from accepting it.

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Soundtracks

"Marathon Suite"
by Francis Lai

User Reviews

Well-cast athletic drama suffers from a low-budget...

Tedious, occasionally absorbing drama chronicling the stories of four male runners from different parts of the globe preparing themselves for the Rome Olympics. Michael Crawford, as the British dairy-deliverer who is found to have an uncanny track time, is the central focus of the film and his early scenes wowing all the hardened experts are fresh and well done; Ryan O'Neal, as the American jock with the (uh oh!) heart condition, is engaging simply because he's so young and eager (he would re-team with screenwriter Erich Segal the same year for "Love Story"). British-made film from erratic director Michael Winner supposedly travels around the world, yet the various locations are not captured to any particular advantage (the look of the picture is stuck in a British rut). The relationship between Crawford and his demanding coach is the most intriguing part of the movie--yet the closer we get to the Olympics finale, the faster interest tends to wane in these characters. ** from ****