Endurance (1998)

Endurance: Directed by Leslie Woodhead, Bud Greenspan. With Haile Gebrselassie, Shawananness Gebrselassie, Yonas Zergaw, Tedesse Haile. The gold medal for the men’s 10,000-metre race in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics is won by Ethiopian Haile Gebrselassie.

“u0026quot;Enduranceu0026quot; Making it a point to see every film that is released, Itu0026#39;s always a drag when I dread seeing some of the new stuff. u0026quot;Enduranceu0026quot; was not high on my list due to itsu0026#39; Terrence Malick connections and Disney origins, two things that make me sick to my stomach. After praying it would disappear after a week into the run, the film stayed longer, forcing me to reconsider whether or not to skip it. Let me now just remind myself and others the power of seeing everything that comes my way. u0026quot;Enduranceu0026quot; tells the simple story of Haile Gebrsellasie, a meek Ethiopian farmboy who dreamed of a career in long distance running. The movie barely uses any dialog to tell itu0026#39;s story, instead relying on images and music for dramatic weight. Beginning, with real footage, at the 1996 Olympics where Haile competes for the gold medal, the film takes us back to show the runneru0026#39;s home life. This part of the film is recreated. We watch as Haile learns what it takes to overcome struggle in his life. He runs 6 miles to school everyday, takes a 3 hour trip to fetch water each afternoon, and he is the middle child of 10. We also see Haileu0026#39;s father try to sway him into other vocations and gently disapproves his sonu0026#39;s dream to run. Comparing this to Malicku0026#39;s recent u0026quot;Thin Red Lineu0026quot; is appropriate due to both filmu0026#39;s insistence to tell the story through nature and the u0026quot;you are thereu0026quot; camerawork. u0026quot;Enduranceu0026quot; director Leslie Woodhead wins out simply because she knows when to stop. Thatu0026#39;s a gift Malick will never own. At 83 minutes, u0026quot;Enduranceu0026quot; is winning is almost every way possible. Breathtakingly shot by cinematographer Ivan Strasburg , impossibly scored by personal fave Hans Zimmer, and as I said before, just the right pace and timing. Itu0026#39;s thrilling to watch Haile grow up and become the success he is today (Running Magazine calls him u0026quot;The best long distance runner ever.u0026quot;) Even though we know how the Olympic race comes out, I couldnu0026#39;t help but be overwhelmed with emotion at the result. This is a very delicate and beautiful picture, one of the few that believes in restraint and mood. Perfect for kids and bold enough for adults, just about as tidy as a film can be. I recommend this film highly. ————— 10”