Cool Runnings

About Cool Runnings

"Cool Runnings" is a 1993 comedy/sports film directed by Jon Turteltaub and produced by Dawn Steel. The plot follows the true story of the Jamaica national bobsleigh team's debut in competition during the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The title of the film is derived from a Jamaican saying, 'Cool Runnings,' which means 'Peace Be the Journey.'

Making / Production

Produced by Walt Disney Pictures and released in the United States on October 1, 1993. The movie was filmed in Calgary and Jamaica. It has been praised for its feel-good nature and memorable quotes,

Actors

• John Candy as Irving "Irv" Blitzer: A former American bobsledder who was disqualified, but then finds redemption by coaching the team.
• Leon as Derice Bannock: An athlete failing to quality for the Summer Olympics, Derice turns his attention to the bobsled team.
• Doug E. Doug as Sanka Coffie: The funny man of the group, Sanka brings his unique perspective and humor to the bobsled team.
• Rawle D. Lewis as Junior Bevil: Coming from a wealthy family, Junior has to overcome his father's objections to join the team.
• Malik Yoba as Yul Brenner: A strong-willed competitor who hopes bobsledding can provide a better life.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The enchanting theme song for the film, "I Can See Clearly Now", was performed by Jamaican singer Jimmy Cliff.
• Jamaica's actual bobsled team debut happened at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, just like in the movie.
• Despite the film's comedic tone, it pays genuine respect to the sport of bobsledding with many technical aspects of the sport accurately shown.

Awards

The film, while not heavily awarded, was nominated for the 1994 Image Award for Outstanding Motion Picture and has since become a cult classic.

Quotes

• "Feel the Rhythm! Feel the Rhyme! Get on up, it's bobsled time! COOL RUNNINGS!" - Sanka Coffie
• "A gold medal is a wonderful thing. But if you're not enough without it, you'll never be enough with it." - Irving "Irv" Blitzer
• "No problem, mon!" - Junior Bevil

Music, Soundtrack

• "I Can See Clearly Now" - Jimmy Cliff
• "Wild Wild Life" - Wailing Souls
• "Sweet Jamaica" - Tony Rebel
• "Dolly My Baby" - Super Cat
• "Stir It Up" - Diana King