The triumph and tragedy of Native American Jim Thorpe, who, after winning both the pentathlon and decathlon in the same Olympics, is stripped of his medals on a technicality.The triumph and tragedy of Native American Jim Thorpe, who, after winning both the pentathlon and decathlon in the same Olympics, is stripped of his medals on a technicality.The triumph and tragedy of Native American Jim Thorpe, who, after winning both the pentathlon and decathlon in the same Olympics, is stripped of his medals on a technicality.
- Little Boy Who Walk Like Bear
- (as Jack Bighead)
- Wally Denny
- (as Suni Warcloud)
- Football Player
- (uncredited)
- King Gustav
- (uncredited)
- Player
- (uncredited)
- Canton Bulldogs Teammate
- (uncredited)
- Attendee at Sports Dinner
- (uncredited)
- Charles Curtis - Vice President
- (archive footage)
- (uncredited)
- Spectator
- (uncredited)
- Young Boy
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe film depicts Jim Thorpe as being married once, and having had one child who died young. In fact, he was married a total of three times and had seven other surviving children.
- GoofsThe Opening Ceremonies of the 1912 Olympics did not include the raising of the Olympic flag (started in 1928) or the lighting of the Olympic flame (started in 1936).
- Quotes
Jim Thorpe - as a Boy: [Young Jim returns home and hugs his grandmother] Oh, Grandmother.
Charlotte Thorpe: Jim!
Hiram Thorpe: [Hiram pulls the wagon to a stop] Whoa. Well, the boy's in school, Charlotte. I think he'll stay there this time. I took him far enough away...
Hiram Thorpe: [Hiram sees Jim holding a horse's reins] Jim? How'd you get here?
Charlotte Thorpe: He ran.
Hiram Thorpe: You ran 15 miles?
Jim Thorpe - as a Boy: Only 12, Pa. I came through the hills.
Hiram Thorpe: Did you hear that, Charlotte? 12 miles through the hills.
Charlotte Thorpe: I hope he enjoyed it, because he goes back to school tomorrow.
Jim Thorpe - as a Boy: I'll run away.
Charlotte Thorpe: You're his father. You taught him all the things he likes to do; now teach him what he has to do.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Sports on the Silver Screen (1997)
- SoundtracksO Carlisle
(uncredited)
Sung and played during the college scenes to the tune of "O Tannenbaum" (tradtional tune)
However you feel about the authenticity of these kinds of movies, it's hard to deny they were often very well-done dramas with great acting and top production values. Here we have a fine performance from Lancaster, as well as Charles Bickford as Thorpe's coach, Pop Warner. A solid supporting cast is another plus. The sports scenes are all fun and manage to incorporate old footage with the new nicely. Overall, it's not my favorite classic Hollywood biopic, or even in my top ten, but it's an entertaining one about an important figure in American sports. Definitely worth a look if you don't have a bug up your rear about the historical accuracy of biographical movies.
- How long is Jim Thorpe -- All-American?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Runtime1 hour 47 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1