This impressionistic portrait of the 1964 Tokyo Summer Olympics pays as much attention to the crowds and workers as it does to the actual competitive events. Highlights include an epic pole-vaulting match between West Germany and America, and the final marathon race through Tokyo's streets. Two athletes are highlighted: Ethiopian marathon runner Abebe Bikila, who receives his second gold medal, and runner Ahamed Isa from Chad, representing a country younger than he is.
Direction
Ichikawa turns sports footage into visual poetry.
Cinematography
Those slow-motion muscles mid-strain — *chef's kiss*.
Editing
170 minutes that somehow feel like floating.
Director
Kon Ichikawa
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Ichikawa was the Japanese government's third choice after Akira Kurosawa turned it down and was fired for being too expensive and controlling.
Abebe Bikila's second gold came just four years after his first — and only six weeks after he had his appendix removed. He ran barefoot because his shoes didn't fit.
No ratings yet
5.41924
5.11924
5.71925
5.21928
5.21928
7.41928
5.51936
6.61948
6.31948
5.01952
6.01952
6.01953
5.01954
5.41956
6.51956
6.41956
5.71957
6.31959
4.61960
5.61961
5.21964
1965
5.01966
6.01968
5.61968
6.11969
6.71972
7.11973
5.01977
4.81977
5.31980
6.51981
5.31984
7.21985
5.01989
6.01989
6.01989
5.01989
5.31992
4.91993
5.41994
4.41997
6.31998
7.32001
6.52003
6.02005
6.02007
9.02009
5.22011
5.92012
5.62017
Sign in to join the discussion — comments are spoiler-gated to your watch progress.
Discussion starters
JP
