Jim Thorpe - All American
He wore America's heart over his!
He did it all. And he did it better than anyone. Oklahoma Indian Jim Thorpe played pro baseball, almost singlehandedly put pro football on the map and won Olympic gold medals - yet knew nothing of organized sports before enrolling as a young man at Carlisle School for Indians. When selecting "the greatest athlete of the 20th century," American sportswriters really had only one choice: Jim Thorpe.
Under the direction of Michael Curtiz, Burt Lancaster brings dignity, determination and his trademark physicality to this exciting film loaded with thrilling sports action. And he brings dramatic power to his portrayal of Thorpe's greatest triumph: the climb back to a successful life after a bitter slide into obscurity.
Member Reviews
Inspiring and frustrating all in one - CW--
First off, let's start with the fact that Burt Lancaster is playing a Native American. Whhaaat? Yep, it's true. Now I love me some Burt Lancaster, but even for the 1950's this had to have been absurd, no? ANYWAY...he's great in this. The look of awe and wonder every time the camera does a close up of him as he's about to run a race or catch a football is truly something to behold. And then the lack of wonder he projects once things start falling apart is scarifying. So no bones about the acting for sure. Now the directing. Michael Curtiz is an awesome director too, of course. And his directing here, especially a flirtatious scene at a football/track & field practice is superb. My beef is usually Curtiz was really good at taking melodrama and making it seem small and accessible. Some of that he achieves here, for sure. The scenes where things are falling apart, as mentioned, are beautifully restrained. But earlier in the picture, from when the Stockholm Olympics of 1912 are referenced until a tragic trip to Chicago, the film is VERY heavy handed. I liked this film alot, I just wish that the disjointedness of the non-Native American casting and some of the knock you over the head directing didn't distract from this otherwise compelling story.
Member Reviews
Read All...
Inspiring and frustrating all in one - CW--
First off, let's start with the fact that Burt Lancaster is playing a Native American. Whhaaat? Yep, it's true. Now I love me some Burt Lancaster, but even for the 1950's this had to have been absurd, no? ANYWAY...he's great in this. The look of awe and ...