Cool Runnings (1993)
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A Jamaican bobsled team faces the ultimate challenge of competing in a winter sport in the snowy mountains of Calgary.
The story
In November 1987, Jamaican sprinter Derice Bannock fails to advance in the Summer Olympics after a track accident. Seeking another opportunity, he discovers that he can compete in the upcoming Winter Olympics in Calgary by forming a bobsled team. He recruits his friend Sanka Coffie and others to join the quest. They seek out Irving Blitzer, a former bobsled champion who is a bookie in Jamaica, to serve as their coach. Despite facing skepticism from officials and the daunting challenge of the cold climate, the team trains hard to prepare for their debut on the international stage.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
After a track accident prevents him from competing in the Summer Olympics, Derice Bannock decides to form a bobsled team for the Winter Olympics in Calgary. He recruits Sanka Coffie, Yul Brenner, and Junior Bevil. They are coached by Irving Blitzer, a former champion who was disqualified for cheating. The team faces skepticism from the Jamaican Olympic committee and must overcome their lack of experience and the harsh winter conditions. During the competition, they are mocked by the East German team but eventually find their rhythm. After being initially excluded by officials, they are reinstated. On their final run, their bobsled crashes, but they carry the sled across the finish line to a standing ovation. They return home as heroes and return to the Olympics four years later as equals.
- First release year
- 1993
- Runtime (minutes)
- 98
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Jon Turteltaub
- Writers
- Lynn Siefert · screenplay; Tommy Swerdlow · screenplay; Michael Goldberg · screenplay; Lynn Siefert · story; Michael Ritchie · story
- Cast and characters
- Leon · Derice Bannock; Doug E. Doug · Sanka Coffie; Rawle D. Lewis · not specified; Malik Yoba · not specified; John Candy · Irving Blitzer
- Genres
- sports comedy; comedy; children's films
- Themes
- sportsmanship; determination
- Tone and mood
- humorous; uplifting
- Premise and plot tags
- sports; comedy; based on true events
- Reception
- The film received positive reviews from critics, who praised its humor, tone, and the performances of the cast.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 76% · review count: 42
- Production trivia
- The film's working title was Blue Maaga.; The score was composed by Hans Zimmer.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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