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Amazon.com This film about Ethiopian distance runner Haile Gebrsellasie, who won gold at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and is considered one of the greatest runners of all time, is a dramatization that often appears to be a documentary. Beautifully photographed, the footage shot in Haile's native land is often spectacular enough to make you think you're watching a National Geographic special. Haile's young life, such as a scene when his family is listening to a news report about warfare in Ethiopia and a report comes on about the 1980 Olympics, is portrayed with apparent accuracy, but not without a great deal of drama. There are many scenes of Haile running, past wildlife in the countryside or through crowded city slums, and while this gives what must be an accurate idea of him developing his athletic regimen, this is also not terribly dramatic on camera. Eventually, Haile is shown racing in Atlanta, valiantly overtaking all competition; his family back in Ethiopia is shown gathered around a television set, jubilantly watching his triumph. And while there's no denying that this is a touching and inspiring human story, the slow pace of the presentation tends to work against the inherent drama. --Robert J. McNamara ... Read more Reviews (21) 
An Enduring Story
Endurance is not a movie about distance running. While many people, especially runners, would disagree with this statement, a critical look reveals a simple, multi-layered film that deals with the universal story of a hero overcoming hardships and obstacles to achieve a dream.
What makes Endurance most satisfying, however, is that this is no myth. Haile's life is shown from childhood to adulthood through the use of simple, stark images that vividly portray the elements that melded together a man of uncommon focus, faith, and yes, endurance. We understand the how's and why's of Haile's development without being didactically bludgeoned by the director. The use of Haile and his family as actors lends not only a certain authenticity to the semi-documentary look but also adds an endearing naiveté to the performances. We see people who have actually lived the roles they are playing. And Bud Greenspan's scenes of the 1996 10,000m Olympic final are surely the best filmed running sequences seen in a movie. The directors of Prefontaine and Without Limits, take note. The musical score is also a wonderful complement to the film. Scenes of unabashed joy, crushing sorrow, and quiet solitude are enhanced, not overshadowed, by a mixture of African and Western music. While runners saw the movie in droves when it was released, most people did not. Too bad. This is a beautiful film telling a wonderful and true story.
Not a movie about track and field, but..
I agree with a prior reviewer that the movie is not about really about running per se. It indeed is about the triumph of the human spirit as resides in incalcuable proportions in this dimunutive, courageous man from one of the poorest nations on Earth. Having said this, I wonder if only avid runners can truly appreciate his accomplishments (and the film's depiction of his truly poverty stricken, desperate childhood only makes them more awe inspiring). I don't know how to convey to non-runners just how obscenely difficult it is to run 4 minutes fifteen seconds for a mile, much less reeling off six in a row such as Haile did in his world record race. And his Olympic 10,000 meter race in 1996 (shown in the film) may even be more impressive -- maybe the most significant any Olympic track race of all time. His 4 minute 23 second average per mile performance in the heat of Atlanta (not in cool northern Europe where most all distance records are set), run just a few days after a qualifying race, and with no rabbits or pace setters such as in his world record races -- it is mind boggling. Yes, folks, even if you can, such as Haile, run a 3 minute 50 second mile, running 4 minutes 20 seconds or so does not feel like jogging, it does feel like you are running at a high intensity near sprint, and it does take a great deal of mental control and courage not to panic and mentally quit. The film is beautiful, it depicts his life accurately -- and I would recommend it -- but I can't get away from the astounding nature of his athletic feats.
Authentic Ethiopian Culture
Having lived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for 2 years, my husband & I can testify that this is a story which shows so well how people live in Ethiopia. We were thrilled to see the beautiful countryside, the city where we lived and worked, the Ethiopian music and the Amharic language we could only speak "a little". It was a thrilling story and beautifully portrayed. I recommend it to all families, students, & children. It exemplifies the determination of someone who has a dream and also shows the deep respect and love there can be even when there is disagreement.
Oscar bound
This remarkable documentary tells the story of the famed Shackleton expedition, a doomed attempt to reach the South Pole that turned into an incredible (and successful) 2-year fight for survival. Using both archival records and contemporary interviews, the director created an inspiring story of human endurance, courage, and valor.
The world could use a dose of all three of those qualities right now. This is a terrific and timely film.
True portrayal of success against the odds
I happened to hire this video by chance. I didn't know it was coming out. I am glad I picked it, especially as I grew up in the same rural lifestyle in Ethiopia. I was most impressed with the producers' accurate reflection of life in Ethiopia both in the rural area and in the city. They neither cleaned it up for western consumption nor exaggerated any event for dramatic impact. Running to school, helping with farm and other chores at a very young age on the farm, the beggars and crowding in the city were true reflections. I was surprised they were allowed by the local government, and the movie is rich and sincere for this lack of censorship.
On the whole, I applaud the producers for sticking to the rising-against-the-odds theme of presentation. In my opinion his first victory and how he got there is by far the most uplifting example of courage, determination and endurance. This is not to belittle his monumental later achievements, but they were achieved with good coaching, sponsorship and other spoils that come to all champions. Perhaps his later achivements could have been listed in text at the end before the accolade from Runners World.
I hope to buy a copy for my library.
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Good Recapp of Olympic glories!
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