TUPATALK: Movie hits all the inspiring themes
There’s not a whole lot of television programming I anxiously look forward to.
Oh, sure, I have my preferences — but I don’t set my week’s schedule around them.
“Lawrence Welk” on Saturday evenings and “I Want Answers” (can’t miss Ana) on Sunday mornings is probably the closest to my personal must-watch TV.
Sporting events are hit and miss. I make a lot of phone calls to coaches, athletes and such, or work at home writing articles or research, making keeping track of a televised sports games pretty spotty.
Occasionally, I see a movie on the horizon I make a special note of. That’s the case this Saturday evening when “Chariots of Fire” is scheduled to be broadcast. Even though I own the DVD, I still get extra pleasure in watching it on TV — especially commercial-free.
I’d recommend it to anyone who hasn’t seen it — or who hasn’t seen it in a while.
The story is based closely to real-life events, regarding two sprinters from Great Britain who competed in the 1924 Olympics in Paris.
Both are unique personalities; both are battling their own doubts or barriers through the catharsis of running “like the wind.”
The movie — which won the Best Picture Oscar in 1982 — begins in a thoughtful way, trying to weave the threads of the diverse story elements into a cohesive account of inspiration, triumph over self and foes, sacrifice and victory in all its nuances.
Perhaps the best thing is the two main protagonists also became real-life heroes in their lives after the Olympics.
The music is soaring and unforgettable, the themes universal, the message centered on the power of intermingling determination and humility as one vibrant virtue.
This has been a theme I’ve observed with interest throughout my sports reporting career and most my life.
Some of my other thoughts on this appear in some stuff I’ve written and published with my pen name of Michael Jerry Tupa.
I’m looking forward, if my schedule allows, of reliving “Chariots” again on Saturday.
————
Correction
The E-E incorrectly reported the placing of Bartlesville High’s Ragen Hodge in last week’s Meet of Champions track meet.
Hodge won the girls long jump at 5-foot-4.
This article originally appeared on Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise: TUPATALK: Focus on one of the great sports movies
