The Games

19701970
GG
1h 40m

Four marathon runners (one from England, one from the U.S., a Czechoslovakian, and an Australian Aborigine) prepare to run in the Olympic games. The film follows each one and shows what thei... Read allFour marathon runners (one from England, one from the U.S., a Czechoslovakian, 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.Four marathon runners (one from England, one from the U.S., a Czechoslovakian, 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.

6.2/10

461

Director
- Michael Winner
Writers
- Hugh Atkinson(novel)
- Erich Segal(screenplay)
Stars

Top credits

See production, box office & company info

See more at IMDbPro

Stanley Baker and Michael Crawford in The Games (1970)

Charles Aznavour and Michael Crawford in The Games (1970)

This movie 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. —Jenny Evans <J.Evans@uts.edu.au>

man wrapped in a towel marathon runner olympics game summer olympics 6 more

Taglines
- The spectacle behind the spectacle.
Genres
- Drama
- Sport
Certificate
- G
Parents guide
- Add content advisory

Trivia
A then-unknown Sir Elton John sang the Francis Lai and Hal Shaper-penned "From Denver to L.A." as part of the film's soundtrack, which was issued in the U.S. by Viking Records (LPS-105). He was so little-known at that point, that he was credited on the label as "Elton Johns". The label planned to issue the song as a single (VIK-1010, backed with "Warm Summer Rain" by The Barbara Moore Singers), and promotional copies were pressed, but John, who first hit stardom towards the end of 1970, had the record withdrawn before commercial copies could be pressed. Upon his reaching superstar status, promotional copies of the "From Denver to L.A." single have become prized collector's items and an interesting curio in John's recorded catalogue.

Goofs
At once stage during a particularly twisty and narrow part of the race on Rome's streets, the pace vehicle is forced to go so slow that it forces leader Hayes almost to a standstill to avoid colliding with it. Such things occasionally do happen in real foot and cycle races on roads - but surely it was unplanned in the movie.

Connections
Referenced in Vsechnopárty: Episode dated 14 April 2017 (2017)

Soundtracks
From Denver To L.A.
Music by Francis Lai
Lyrics by Hal Shaper

Top review

Elton John

In addition to all of the other major talent that appeared in this movie, Elton John provided one song for the soundtrack album of "The Games". The song was "From Denver To L.A.", but I think there was a misprint of his name and I it came out as Elton James or something like that. Since the album and the movie are no longer in print, "From Denver To L.A." is a much sought after gem among hardcore Elton John fans. We too hope that this movie is released soon on video so that we may at least hear the song for the first time!

helpful•2