Jesse Owens’ phenomenal performance in track
and field at the 1936 Berlin Olympics —including
his record-breaking win of four gold medals—has
been widely, and rightly, celebrated. But did you
know that 17 other African-American athletes—15
men and 2 women—also bravely competed in
Hitler’s Aryan-exalting affair? These amazing
individuals are finally given their due in this revelatory
and resonant documentary that combines
never-before-seen archival footage with
interviews of family members, athletes, journalists,
and historians (both American and German).
This essential account of a little-known but
deeply important moment in history—narrated
by Blair Underwood (“L.A. Law”)—vividly brings
to life the heroism of competitors who battled
racism abroad and at home.
In Person: Director
Deborah Riley Draper; Producers Michael A.
Draper and Amy Tiemann.
