This impressionistic portrait of the 1964 Tokyo Summer Olympics pays as much attention to the crowds and workers as it does to the actual competitive events. Highlights include an epic pole-vaulting match between West Germany and America, and the final marathon race through Tokyo's streets. Two athletes are highlighted: Ethiopian marathon runner Abebe Bikila, who receives his second gold medal, and runner Ahamed Isa from Chad, representing a country younger than he is.
Directed by Kon Ichikawa
sports
olympic games
tokyo, japan
IMDB
N/A
Letterboxd
4.2 / 5
Where to Watch
Cast
Abebe Bikila
Self
Ahmed Issa
Self
Yoshinori Sakai
Self
Joe Frazier
Self
Emperor Hirohito of Japan
Self
Crew
Kon Ichikawa
Director
Kon Ichikawa
Writer
Yoshio Shirasaka
Writer
Natto Wada
Writer
Shuntaro Tanikawa
Screenplay
Kazuo Miyagawa
Director of Photography
Senkichi Taniguchi
Associate Producer
Henri-Georges Clouzot
Thanks
Ingrid Bergman
Thanks
Shinya Yamamoto
Camera Operator
Michelangelo Antonioni
Thanks
Marcello Mastroianni
Thanks
Popular Reviews
20 reviews
aicha
9.0★ · 08/11/25
hayes is so hot thank you black athletes
hayes is so hot thank you black athletes
chris foster
sports began in the summer of 1964.
sports began in the summer of 1964.
MiguelPRO
9.0★ · 03/03/25
can’t get enough of this shid. trials of the human spirit n witnessing glory n early stages of sport
can’t get enough of this shid. trials of the human spirit n witnessing glory n early stages of sport
Max
8.1★ · 12/19/24
If you watch one thing from this movie please let it be the power walking😭😭
If you watch one thing from this movie please let it be the power walking😭😭
minjonss
9.0★ · 08/11/24
fantastic ‘documentary’ (???) either way - loved it
the ceremony, the games - Tokyo did it well!
fantastic ‘documentary’ (???) either way - loved it