Alex (1992)

Headstrong New Zealand teen Alex Archer trains to qualify for the 1960 Rome Olympics in the women's 100 freestyle. Unlike the other top swimmers who train only for swimming, Alex takes ... See full summary »

Director:

Megan Simpson Huberman

Writers:

Ken Catran, Tessa Duder (book)

Stars:

Lauren A Jackson, Chris Haywood, Josh Picker

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Lauren A Jackson	...	Alex Archer (as Lauren Jackson)
Chris Haywood	...	Mr. Jack
Josh Picker	...	Andy
Cathy Godbold	...	Maggie Benton
Elizabeth Hawthorne	...	Mrs. Benton
Bruce Phillips	...	Mr. Archer
May Lloyd	...	Mrs. Archer
Patrick Smith	...	Mr. Benton
Rima Te Wiata	...	Female Commentator
Mark Wright	...	Male Commentator
Grant Tilly	...	Mr. Upjohn
Greg Johnson	...	Male Journalist
Alison Bruce	...	Female Journalist
Kim Hanson	...	Julia
Vicky Burrett	...	Gran

Storyline

Headstrong New Zealand teen Alex Archer trains to qualify for the 1960 Rome Olympics in the women's 100 freestyle. Unlike the other top swimmers who train only for swimming, Alex takes piano and ballet lessons to go with a full school workload. To make the Olympics, her ultimate dream, she must not only overcome a formidable foe, but also the death of her boyfriend.

---

Plot Keywords:

olympics | swimming | title same as book | one word title | independent film | 

---

Genres:

Drama | Sport

---

Certificate:

Unrated

Details

Country:

Australia New Zealand

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 May 1993 (New Zealand)

Also Known As:

Alex: The Spirit of a Champion

Filming Locations:

Auckland, New Zealand

Company Credits

Production Co:

Isambard Productions Ltd., New Zealand Film Commission, New Zealand Film Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film's producers planned to make a sequel, which would follow Alex's adventures in Rome.

---

Connections

References Breaking Away (1979)

---

Soundtracks

"See You Later Alligator"
Robert Charles Guldry
Arc Music Corp./Jewell Music (Australia) Pty Ltd./Nightlife Music Pty Limited
Performed by Stephen Anderton
End titles performed by Josh Picker

User Reviews

Beautiful, Bold and down-right Brilliant!

This is a sensational movie for a number of reasons. The most notably is the fact that it is not some Hollywood teen flick, it was made in New Zealand has has a very New Zealand feel to it. It follows very closely in plot that of the book 'Alex' writen by Tessa Duder and does it real justice. It is an excellent film for anyone and especially for anyone who has ever had to wake up at four in the morning to swim laps of a pool or who knows how it feels to loose a loved one. A truely great film.