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British Empire and Commonwealth Games

This short documentary presents highlights of the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games. In Vancouver, top-ranking athletes from the far corners of the British Commonwealth competed for new records. The film records outstanding feats in racing, jumping, pole-vaulting, swimming as well as the "miracle mile" duel between John Landy and Roger Bannister.
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This short documentary presents highlights of the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games. In Vancouver, top-ranking athletes from the far corners of the British Commonwealth competed for new records. The film records outstanding feats in racing, jumping, pole-vaulting, swimming as well as the "miracle mile" duel between John Landy and Roger Bannister.

Sports and Leisure All subjects
  • director
    Jack Olsen
  • producer
    Nicholas Balla
  • camera
    Donald Wilder
    Jack Long
    Osmond H. Borradaile
    Felix Lazarus
  • sound
    Clarke Daprato
    Clifford Griffin
  • editing
    Fergus McDonell
  • narrator
    Andy O'Brien

Education

Ages 11 to 17

Notes

Students can watch this film as an historical document. Have students discuss some of the outdated attitudes, such as sexist or colonial language. Students can explore the athletic milestones or changes (the 4-minute Miracle Mile, the high jump 12 years before the revolutionary Fosbury Flop, the exhausted marathoner in today's Ironman era, and so on). Do students watch the Olympics? Is this any different? What significance do world games have to world peace and understanding?

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British Empire and Commonwealth Games
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