Cool Runnings (1993)

Based on the true story of the First Jamacian bobsled team trying to make it to the winter olympics.

Director:

Jon Turteltaub

Writers:

Lynn Siefert (story), Michael Ritchie (story),

Stars:

Leon, Doug E. Doug, Rawle D. Lewis

2 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Leon	...	Derice Bannock
Doug E. Doug	...	Sanka Coffie
Rawle D. Lewis	...	Junior Bevil
Malik Yoba	...	Yul Brenner
John Candy	...	Irv
Raymond J. Barry	...	Kurt Hemphill
Peter Outerbridge	...	Josef Grool
Paul Coeur	...	Roger
Larry Gilman	...	Larry
Charles Hyatt	...	Whitby Bevil - Sr.
Winston Stona	...	Coolidge
Bertina Macauley	...	Joy Bannock
Pauline Stone Myrie	...	Momma Coffie
Kristoffer Cooper	...	Winston
Bill Dow	...	Registration Official

Storyline

Irving Blitzer disgraced himself when putting extra weights into his team's bob in the Olympics, resulting in his gold medal being taken away from him. Years later, Derice Bannock, son to a former friend of Irv, fails to qualify for the 100-yard sprint for the Olympics due to a stupid accident. But when he hears of Irving Blitzer living also on Jamaica, Derice decides to go to the Games anyway, if not as a sprinter, then as a bobsledder. After some starting problems, the first Jamaican bobsledding team is formed and heads for Calgary. In the freezing weather Derice, Sanka, Junior and Yul are only laughed at, since nobody can take a Jamaican bobsledding team led by a disgraced trainer seriously. But team spirit and a healthy self confidence may lead to a few surprises in the upcoming Winter Games.

---

Plot Keywords:

olympics | bobsled | coach | olympic games | jamaica | 

---

Taglines:

Jamaican Bobsledders?

---

Genres:

Adventure | Comedy | Family | Sport

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for mild language and brief violence

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English German Russian

Release Date:

1 October 1993 (USA)

Also Known As:

Jamaica Abaixo de Zero

Filming Locations:

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$15,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£2,503,138 (UK) (4 March 1994)

Gross:

£9,209,124 (UK) (20 May 1994)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Walt Disney Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Contrary to the movie, the infamous crash wasn't due to a mechanical error, but more or less losing control of the sled at such a high speed.

---

Goofs

Just before the Jamaican sledders go to the county-western bar, Yul Brenner and Junior are talking in the room and Junior does not have a hat on. Next Yul Brenner opens the door to speak with Sanka Coffie. Towards the end of the conversation Junior is seen with a hat on in the background. When Yul Brenner is finished speaking to Sanka he turns to talk to Junior, Junior is taking the hat from the counter to put it on.

---

Quotes

Derice Bannock: You don't see the Swiss team fightin', do you?
Derice Bannock: You don't see the Swiss team drinkin' and carryin' on and such.
Sanka Coffie: And you don't see the Swiss team smilin' neither.
Sanka Coffie: In fact, if one of those Swiss boys ever come across a pretty girl, he probably yell, "eins, zwei, drei" and try to push her down some ice.
[laughs]

---

Connections

References Tarzan the Ape Man (1932)

---

Soundtracks

"Blue Danube"
Written by Johann Strauß (as Johann Strauss)
Arranged by Louis Knatchbull
Courtesy of Bruton/APM

User Reviews

One Of The Greatest Films Ever Made

It might not be historically accurate - and you know what, some of the best films aren't - but I believe, hand on heart, that Cool Runnings is one of greatest films ever made.

Cool Runnings is absolutely hilarious with a wonderful blend of slapstick comedy, one liners, colourful characters and absurdity, however its comic achievements are well documented, and for this reason I will take them as read.

Cool Runnings is an exploration of a number of the weightiest themes a film can deal with, such as racism, poverty, pride, passion, forgiveness and self-belief. Cool Runnings tackles all of these themes head-on without losing an ounce of its charm, humour, or family-fun.

A superbly played Joseph Gruel is the prime embodiment of the racism the Jamaicans face on the hill, and his story is very moving. So too is the voyage of self-discovery and forgiveness embarked on by disgraced coach Erv Blitzer (John Candy). The team themselves are a wonderful advert for teamwork and the little island of Jamaica. Each one is wise, bold in the face of their respective adversity, and has an intriguing story to tell.

The ending of Cool Runnings also ranks as one of the greatest. It masterfully avoids the back-slapping, one-dimensional and predictable ending it looks to be approaching, a trap that so many other similar 'feel-good' films fall into. Instead Cool Runnings brings together all of the themes that have been explored, in one emotionally charged final scene.

99% will disagree with something I have written above. But I first watched the film 15 years ago and it has stayed with me ever since. I have watched it around 100 times now, and I still shed a tear at the end...no other film has ever brought me even close to that.

If you take nothing else from this review. Watch Cool Runnings. It is so much better than the clever-arsed, blockbuster-biased critics will have you believe. Forget the highly forgettable cheese like Remember the Titans, The Mighty Ducks and all the rest. Pull up a chair, get the phone on divert, and sit back and enjoy the only 'feel good' film worth watching.