Running Movie Review: Without Limits

Title: Without Limits
Release date: 11 September 1998
Director: Robert Towne
Additional information on IMDB for this movie.

A biography drama featuring Steve Prefontaine, more famously known as "Pre" from Oregon, USA. The character of Pre is played by Billy Crudup. Pre is the famous medium distance runner from University of Oregon in Eugene who represented the United States in the 5k distance run in the 1972 Olympics in Munich, Germany. Famed for his "pure guts running" style, Pre always went all out to win a race as he was never contented in winning "the chicken-shit" way.

In Without Limits, his all-out-till-the-skies-come-crashing-down style forms an interesting tension between Pre and his coach, a man by the name William J. Bowerman (Donald Sutherland). Now, if William or more often known as Bill, named his company "Bowerman Shoe Company", all of us would have a mouthful everytime we refer to running gear today. Instead, Bill Bowerman called the company he founded, Nike.

The story briefly shows a young Pre being chased by his peers who picked on him due to his German roots and how he always outran them no matter what. Pre's excellent running in high school soon led him to Hayward Field where he trained under Bill Bowerman. The movie not only focuses on Pre only but also how Pre came to affect those around him with his beliefs on running and life.

Without Limits is a story about a great runner and a great coach, the dynamics in their relationship and ultimately how they propel one another towards greater heights. It brings to the viewer how running can be so powerful even off the track, into real life. The movie reminds us that in life, it is not only about winning the race, it is also about how we win the race.