In 1977 Terry Fox was diagnosed with bone cancer and had to have his right leg amputated a few inches above the knee. Undaunted, Terry immediately learned how to run on his artificial prosthetic leg. Moreover, Fox was so touched by the pain and suffering he witnessed from fellow cancer patients while undergoing chemotherapy that he decided in 1980 to run across Canada in order to raise money and awareness for cancer research.
Directors Steve Nash and Ezra Holland relate this incredible true story with great clarity and sensitivity through amazing newsreel footage as well as with touching interviews with Terry's friends and family who helped him with his marathon of hope. Although initially under-publicized, Fox's marathon eventually became a media sensation and he achieved national hero status as he made his way throughout the provinces of Canada. When he wasn't running, Terry was doing speaking engagements and refusing offers from major corporations that wanted to capitalize on his newfound fame. Nash and Holland thankfully present Fox as a very noble and selfless, yet still flawed human being: For example, Terry's friend Doug Alward who drove the van during Terry's run admits that things became strained between him and Terry to the point that Terry's brother Darrell had join them to prevent the two guys from killing each other. Moreover, we find out that Fox pushed his mind and body to a punishing near breaking point limit throughout his marathon plus had to deal with heavy rain, gale force winds, and even a snowstorm during his trek across the country. Sadly, Fox had to stop his run because his cancer had spread to his lungs, but he still managed to run 3,339 miles in 143 days and raised over one million dollars for cancer research. An exceptionally moving and inspiring testament not only to the triumph of the resilient human spirit, but also to the astounding power of sheer will and raw determination.
Directors Steve Nash and Ezra Holland relate this incredible true story with great clarity and sensitivity through amazing newsreel footage as well as with touching interviews with Terry's friends and family who helped him with his marathon of hope. Although initially under-publicized, Fox's marathon eventually became a media sensation and he achieved national hero status as he made his way throughout the provinces of Canada. When he wasn't running, Terry was doing speaking engagements and refusing offers from major corporations that wanted to capitalize on his newfound fame. Nash and Holland thankfully present Fox as a very noble and selfless, yet still flawed human being: For example, Terry's friend Doug Alward who drove the van during Terry's run admits that things became strained between him and Terry to the point that Terry's brother Darrell had join them to prevent the two guys from killing each other. Moreover, we find out that Fox pushed his mind and body to a punishing near breaking point limit throughout his marathon plus had to deal with heavy rain, gale force winds, and even a snowstorm during his trek across the country. Sadly, Fox had to stop his run because his cancer had spread to his lungs, but he still managed to run 3,339 miles in 143 days and raised over one million dollars for cancer research. An exceptionally moving and inspiring testament not only to the triumph of the resilient human spirit, but also to the astounding power of sheer will and raw determination.