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The Jesse Owens Story

  • TV Movie
  • 1984
  • 2h 54m
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
253
YOUR RATING
The Jesse Owens Story (1984)
BiographyDramaHistory

This is the compelling story of Jesse Owens, a man who overcame racial barriers to become one of history's greatest Olympic athletes by disproving Adolf Hitler's theory of Aryan athletic sup... Read allThis is the compelling story of Jesse Owens, a man who overcame racial barriers to become one of history's greatest Olympic athletes by disproving Adolf Hitler's theory of Aryan athletic superiority through his success in track and field.This is the compelling story of Jesse Owens, a man who overcame racial barriers to become one of history's greatest Olympic athletes by disproving Adolf Hitler's theory of Aryan athletic superiority through his success in track and field.

  • Director
    • Richard Irving
  • Writer
    • Harold Gast
  • Stars
    • Dorian Harewood
    • Dan Ammerman
    • Bob Banks
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    7.1/10
    253
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Richard Irving
    • Writer
      • Harold Gast
    • Stars
      • Dorian Harewood
      • Dan Ammerman
      • Bob Banks
    • 5User reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Primetime Emmy
      • 1 win & 2 nominations total

    Photos17

    The Jesse Owens Story (1984)
    The Jesse Owens Story (1984)
    The Jesse Owens Story (1984)
    The Jesse Owens Story (1984)
    The Jesse Owens Story (1984)
    The Jesse Owens Story (1984)
    The Jesse Owens Story (1984)
    The Jesse Owens Story (1984)
    The Jesse Owens Story (1984)
    The Jesse Owens Story (1984)
    The Jesse Owens Story (1984)
    The Jesse Owens Story (1984)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Dorian Harewood
    Dorian Harewood
    • Jesse Owens
    Dan Ammerman
    Dan Ammerman
    • Coach Robertson
    Bob Banks
    Bob Banks
    • Henry Owens
    Tom Bosley
    Tom Bosley
    • Jimmy Hoffa
    Johnny Brink
    • Referie
    Georg Stanford Brown
    Georg Stanford Brown
    • Lew Gilbert
    LeVar Burton
    LeVar Burton
    • Prof. Preston
    Bernard Canepari
    • Attorney Grossfeld
    Robert Chidsey
    • Governor Aide
    Glenn Colerider
    • Prof. Overman - OSU
    Barry Corbin
    Barry Corbin
    • Judge
    Ronny Cox
    Ronny Cox
    • Larry Snyder - Coach
    Chris Douridas
    Chris Douridas
    • Jerome
    Norman Fell
    Norman Fell
    • Marty Forkins
    Tom Fulton
    • President OSU
    Lynn Hamilton
    Lynn Hamilton
    • Mamma Solomon
    Robert Hibbard
    • Police Lieutenant
    George Kennedy
    George Kennedy
    • Charles 'Charley' Riley
    • Director
      • Richard Irving
    • Writer
      • Harold Gast
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    More like this

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    7.1
    Race
    Capturing Black Lightning: Jesse Owens
    Capturing Black Lightning: Jesse Owens
    Untitled Jesse Owens Biopic
    Spoiler Alert
    7.3
    Spoiler Alert
    This Year's Blonde
    7.0
    This Year's Blonde
    Robert Kennedy and His Times
    7.4
    Robert Kennedy and His Times
    Jesse Owens Returns to Berlin
    8.2
    Jesse Owens Returns to Berlin
    Untitled Jesse Owens Project
    Mission: Impossible
    7.5
    Mission: Impossible
    Jesse Owens: Enduring Spirit
    Roots: The Next Generations
    7.8
    Roots: The Next Generations
    South of Heaven
    5.8
    South of Heaven

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Races were shot at Fouts Field at North Texas State (now University of North Texas).
    • Quotes

      [on hearing that Jesse had received $10,000 from an unknown benefactor in 1936]

      Lew Gilbert: What is the straight story behind that money, Mr. Owens?

      Jesse Owens: You want the truth? I was paid $10,000 to support Alfred M. Landon's campaign againt Franklin D. Roosevelt.

      Lew Gilbert: Were you ashamed of that?

      Jesse Owens: Some people thought I should be, but I wasn't. Celebrities endorse cigarettes, banks, automobiles. Why was it wrong for me to endorse a Republican? Besides, it wasn't just for the money. I believed Landon would be better for the Black man.

      Lew Gilbert: What made you think so?

      Jesse Owens: Adolf Hitler made my name a household word when he wouldn't shake hands with me. President Roosevelt didn't shake hands with me, either. Governor Landon did.

    • Connections
      Referenced in Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Beast of Yucca Flats (1995)

    User reviews5

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    8/10
    Exteremely insightful
    Story of Jesse Owens and his struggle against racism during and after the Olympics. Very well made and entertaining to watch. The story is well researched. The videos of the Olympics were especially good. The insight provided by the people around him is what makes the story. The director does a great job of presenting the story to us. I guess the editing. Also highlights the Nazi movement and how it was trying to use the Olympics as a stage to further their agenda. What is also surprising is how the US caved to the demands of the Nazis when it came to fielding their athletes. And what he faced in the US after he successfully represented the country isn't pretty either. A must watch to learn some good historical points.
    helpful•5
    0
    • pavanratnaker
    • Jun 30, 2012

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 9, 1984 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Jesse Owens története
    • Filming locations
      • Columbus, Ohio, USA
    • Production companies
      • Harve Bennett Productions
      • Paramount Television
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 54 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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