Tokyo Olympiad

About Tokyo Olympiad

Tokyo Olympiad is a 1965 sports documentary film directed by Kon Ichikawa. The film captures the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo with a unique artistic eye, blending pure sports highlights with moments of human drama, showcasing both the triumphs and the quiet moments in between events. The narrative style is largely abstract, allowing moments of intense sporting competition to be juxtaposed with scenes of everyday life in Tokyo.

Making / Production

The making of the Tokyo Olympiad was a significant challenge due to the enormous scale of the event and the director's distinct vision. Ichikawa's insistence on portraying the Olympics with artistic integrity led to over 70 hours of footage, a major achievement at the time. Ichikawa used special techniques including long telephoto lenses and special platforms to create intimate, humanizing angles on the athletes. These techniques pushed the boundaries of conventional documentary filmmaking.

Actors

As a documentary, Tokyo Olympiad mainly features real-life athletes and their performances. Some of the notable individuals include:

• Bob Hayes - A sprinter from the USA, known for his performance in the 100 meter race. His explosive finish played a pivotal role in showcasing the drama of the games.
• Ann Packer - A British athlete, she became an iconic figure for her unexpected victory in the 800 meters, demonstrating the unpredictable nature of the Olympic Games.
• Abebe Bikila - An Ethiopian marathoner, Abebe is admired for successfully defending his Olympic title, while running barefoot.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The film was initially intended to be helmed by Akira Kurosawa, but he was replaced by Kon Ichikawa due to creative differences.
• In the production of this documentary, over 70 hours of footage was shot over the course of the games.
• Tokyo Olympiad is regarded as one of the best sports documentaries ever made.

Awards

Despite being unconventional for a documentary, Tokyo Olympiad received immense recognition. It was nominated for the Best Documentary Feature at the 38th Academy Awards.

Quotes

With the film primarily focused on the visual spectacle, memorable quotes are sparse. However, the few lines of commentary by the narrator add depth. Here is one:

• "Is the Olympic Torch just an illuminant... or is it something more? A hope, lighting the way for peace."

Music / Soundtrack

The film's score, composed by Toshiro Mayuzumi, was equally groundbreaking, capturing the range of emotions exhibited through the games. The soundtrack was mainly orchestral, with bombastic pieces to highlight moments of triumph, and somber melodies to underline the disappointments and struggles faced by the athletes.