Educational Media Reviews Online

The National Film Board of Canada has produced another outstanding documentary, this time about Canadian track and field athlete Harry Jerome, who for a time was known as the fastest man on earth. Jerome also happened to be bi-racial which brought its own bag of problems, experiencing discrimination from both blacks and whites. The interviews with fellow athletes, friends, and family are intimate, close up, well styled and revealing. Black and white archival footage and photographs mixed with staged scenes makes for an interesting story fill but ultimately confuses viewers as to which is which. Good looking yet arrogant he was thrust into national and worldwide attention with high Olympic expectations. What did result were muscle injuries, disappointment, and a life altering operation that should have ended his career. The heart of film lies in Harry Jerome’s courageous and triumphant return to competition and record books. Remarkably, Jerome competed in three Olympic games as a sprinter, unheard of then, rare today. Mighty Jerome demonstrates the unique challenges black athletes face in the world of sports, a charge that is as current as historical. Highly recommended for all library collections.