IMDb > The First Olympics: Athens 1896 (1984) (TV)

The First Olympics: Athens 1896 (1984) (TV) More at IMDbPro »

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Overview

User Rating:
7.7/10   205 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 5% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Alvin Rakoff
Writers:
Charles Gary Allison (writer)
William Bast (writer)
Contact:
View company contact information for The First Olympics: Athens 1896 on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
20 May 1984 (USA) more
Genre:
Drama | History | Sport more
Plot:
This movie describes the founding of the modern Olympics and concentrates on the creation of the American... more | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
Won Primetime Emmy. Another 1 win & 3 nominations more
User Comments:
Way better than Chariots of Fire more (18 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

David Ogden Stiers ... Dr. William Milligan Sloane
Hunt Block ... Robert Garrett

David Caruso ... James Connolly

Alex Hyde-White ... Arthur 'Skip' Blake

Benedict Taylor ... Edwin Flack
Edward Wiley ... Coach John Graham
Nicos Ziagos ... Spiridon Louis (as Nikos Ziagos)
Honor Blackman ... Madam Ursula Schumann
Gayle Hunnicutt ... Mary Sloane
Virginia McKenna ... Annabel Flack
Bill Travers ... Harold Flack
Louis Jourdan ... Baron Pierre de Coubertin

Angela Lansbury ... Alice Garrett
Keith Edwards ... Albert Tyler
Dave King ... Nathaniel Perry
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
The First Modern Olympics
more
Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parents
Runtime:
237 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono
Certification:
Singapore:PG
Filming Locations:
Greece
Company:
Columbia Pictures Television more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Spiridon Louis' name entered the Greek language in the phrase, "Egine Louis", which means, "Became Louis" or ran quickly. more
Goofs:
Factual errors: In the series, it is mentioned that Edwin Flack was interrupting his studies at Oxford to compete in the Games. In reality, he was taking a month's holiday from his job at the accounting firm of Price, Waterhouse, and Company. more
Quotes:
Baron Pierre de Coubertin: [The problem of international cooperation] The Germans mistrust the French because we are starting the whole thing. The English mistrust the Germans on principle... more

FAQ

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User Comments

   (Comment on this title)
7 out of 10 people found the following comment useful.
Way better than Chariots of Fire, 25 July 2005
8/10
Author: Benoit Martel from Canada

This is one of my favorite sports films.

It has lots of historically accurate information much like a documentary but is presented in an entertaining narrative format with good story and plot.

Purists may be annoyed that the casting of the actors doesn't always respect the look of typical athletes in each discipline but it's otherwise pretty realistic.

The anecdotes around the discus event are hilarious and unforgettable.

Now if it could only come out on DVD I would buy it instantly.

-Ben

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Related Links

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