The First Olympics: Athens 1896 (1984)

Boring, over-political, tech fuzed mess

I enjoyed watching this film and would recommend other to give it a try , (as I am) but this movie, although enjoyable to watch due to the better than average acting fails to add anything new to its storyline that is all too familiar to these types of movies.

It is interesting even when nothing much happens, which is for most of its 3-hour running time. Read full review

The acting in this movie is really good.

I saw this movie when it was on TV and have looked for it ever since.What amazes me is they do not show it more. THE GOOD news is NETFLIX now has it on DVD (2 disc).1984 does not date this film but should be popular today, maybe around current Olympic season.This movies has everything, some funny things but not a comedy. Facts, pretty good, great Directing, great acting, great Scenery.The actors are very real as today, with modern physical training, they are 'beefed' up but these kids look like what the kids in college looked like in 1896 but were no professional but just good athletes.The part about them thinking they were to be nude like the original Olympians is worth watching. And that Greek story about the USA National Anthem was great.If you have never seen, you are missing a great treat.Come on Sony, get with it. Bring it back to the public.

I remember watching this mini-series the first time in 1984 with a growing sense of anger and indignation. Having read the comments on this title, I must agree with those from the people in Greece. This was produced to coincide with the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games and, to me, it seemed like nothing more than an exercise in jingoistic, flag-waving American nationalism in which the American athletes are glorified at everyone else's expense. Some other nationalities would have every right to feel deeply insulted at the way they were portrayed in this series. It may, however, help to explain the way in which many American spectators behaved at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics and the TV coverage which seemed only interested in events that Americans were likely to win.

I want to secure a copy of this movie. My son is a triathlete and wants the movie for his personal viewing.I know I can purchase it for $140.00 at Amazon.com, but I don't have that kind of money. If it is known when it will be shown on Encore again I could probably tape it. Have been unable to secure this info from Encore.If anyone can help me I would appreciate it.This is probably not the comments you all want, but thought I would give you a try. My son will be competing in the Ironman Triathlon in Clermont, FL in October 2005 and if I could give this to him then it would be great.Thanks

I sat last night to see this film being played in Greek television because of the upcoming Olympic Games hosted by my city.Knowing that it is an American film, i had already expected it to focus more on the American athletes story.And i was really ready for it. But what i saw was..., too much!I mean, when a movie has such a title ("First Olympics: Athens 1896"), even being of American origin, you would not expect it to be so propagandizing and, on the same time, ignorant towards other countries' athletes and efforts.The American athletes seem to have all the gifts of nature (strength, smartness, generosity, kindness, politeness...), in contrast to their "sin-athletes" in the Games, who seem being unable even to... speak their thoughts or express feelings.The number of times the American anthem is played during the film must be an all time record in filmography.Megalomania at it's best!It even uses fictionalized facts which ridicules the Greek nation, such as Greek citizens serving the foreign Marathon athletes with wine, in order to help the domestic ones win the race.So much for the Olympic spirit.Think of it.Being a Greek and putting a bad mark to a movie whose title is also Greek is something that doesn't make me happy at all.But according to what i have seen, i cannot give it more than 4 out of 10 (being pretty generous actually).