Hopkins’ film is ultimately a successful interpretation of actual historical event. It manages to resist an overstatement of Owens’ achievement and instead chooses to abandon its sport-film façade and adopt the stance of a period-film, wherein a significant historical event may yield more than one hero.

Although the wordplay behind the title of this film is clever – the Olympics race as well as the racial discrimination Owens (James) faces in both the US and Germany – this is by and large, quite a no-nonsense movie about a legendary athlete.

While performances are strong and engaging, Stephen Hopkins’ validating treatment, Peter Levy’s edifying camerawork and Rachel Portman’s pulsating background score lend emphasis to the greatness showcased within. In terms of a biopic, this might not be the best representation of the genre but it certainly scores as a totally engaging and emotionally satisfying engagement!

What Hopkins and his team truly get right is a very fine re-creation of the games and a powerful reminder of the impact one man can have, even in the shadow of much bigger worldwide events about to take place.