Tôkyô orinpikku

Mar 20 1965 Not Rated 2h 50m
Documentary, Sport

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.

Plot

Ichikawa's cameras follow the 1964 Summer Olympics from opening to closing ceremonies. Sometimes he focuses on spectators, as athletes pass in a blur; sometimes he isolates a competitor; other times, it's a closeup of muscles as a hammer is thrown or a barbell lifted; or, we watch a race from start to finish. We see come-from-behind wins in the women's 800 and the men's 10,000 meters. We follow an athlete from Chad from arrival to meals, training, competition, and loss. Throughout, the film celebrates the nobility of athletes pushing themselves to the limit, regardless of victory.

Written by

Claude Darget, Kon Ichikawa, Yoshio Shirasaka

Directed by

Kon Ichikawa

Cast

Antonio Ambu, Gary Anderson, Gerry Ashworth

Crew

View crew

Production Countries

Japan

Production Companies

Tokyo Olympic Film Association, Toho

Languages

Awards

Won 2 BAFTA 4 wins & 2 nominations total

Featurettes
The Complete Tokyo 1964 Olympics Film | Olympic History
Scores
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2,351
Average Rating
7.8 out of 10
Metascore
NA
Popularity
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