Cool Runnings (1993)

When a Jamaican sprinter is disqualified from the Olympic Games, he enlists the help of a dishonored coach to start the first Jamaican Bobsled Team.

Director:

Jon Turteltaub

Writers:

Lynn Siefert (story), Michael Ritchie (story)

Stars:

John Candy, Leon, Doug E. Doug

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

Four Jamaicans form their countries first ever Bobsled team to compete in the upcoming 1988 Winter Olympics. They enlist the help of a disgraced former Olympic gold winner to reluctantly coach them. However, when they reach Canada they're treated as outsiders by the other teams, who fear they'll only succeed in embarrassing the sport.

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Plot Keywords:

american played by canadian | product placement | canada | runner | beard | 

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Taglines:

Inspired by the true story of the first Jamaican Olympic bobsled team.

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Genres:

Adventure | Comedy | Family | History | Sport

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for mild language and brief violence

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English German Russian

Release Date:

1 October 1993 (USA)

Also Known As:

Blue Maaga

Filming Locations:

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$14,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$7,046,648, 3 October 1993

Gross USA:

$68,856,263

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$154,856,263

Company Credits

Production Co:

Walt Disney Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Black and White (archive footage) Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Early drafts of the screenplay contained more drama than comedy. At that point, the movie was known as "Blue Maaga", and Brian Gibson was attached to direct.

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Goofs

When the team is toasting each other after they paint the sled the labels on the Coke bottles change from the red labels to a different label. Also, Derice's level of soda is constantly changing.

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Quotes

Irwin Blitzer: Come on, Kurt, what you're doing here is wrong, and you know it! Now if this is about you and me, let's lay it all down now. All right, sixteen years ago, I made the biggest mistake of my life: I cheated. I was stupid. I embarrassed myself, I embarrassed my country, my friends, my family, my teammates,
[points to Kurt]
Irwin Blitzer: and my coach. Hey, if it's revenge you want, take it. Go ahead, disqualify me, banish me! Do whatever you want, but do it to me! It was me who let you down, Kurt! It wasn't my ...

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Connections

Referenced in Deadpool 2 (2018)

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Soundtracks

Wild Wild Life
Written by David Byrne
Performed by Wailing Souls
Courtesy of Chaos/Columbia Records
By Arrangement with Sony Music Licensing

User Reviews

A scene from the 1988 Olympics:

One of John Candy's best movies. An excellent cast makes this a real feel good film telling the story of the first Jamaican bobsled team and their efforts to overcome the prejudices of a previous all white sport. You'll enjoy every minute of this flick and have a better understanding of what it takes to join the Olympic movement. For the entire family.