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Runner

1962 10 min
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The ecstasy and allure of running

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Runner

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This captivating short documentary profiles the young Canadian long-distance runner Bruce Kidd at 19 years old. Kidd eventually went on to win a gold and bronze medal at the 1962 Commonwealth Games, and was a competing member of the 1964 Canadian Olympic team. Directed by Don Owen (Nobody Waved Good-bye, Toronto Jazz), the film is luminously photographed by John Spotton and features poetic commentary composed and spoken by the great Anglo-American poet W.H. Auden. The camera follows Kidd’s sprightly movements as he runs on piers, practice tracks, and finally, in an international race. Oblivious to the clapping crowds and the flash of cameras, he knows full well that in the long run it is the cold stopwatch that tells the truth.
  • director
    Don Owen
  • script
    Don Owen
  • producer
    Tom Daly
  • commentary
    W.H. Auden
  • photography
    John Spotton
    Guy Borremans
  • sound
    George Croll
  • editing
    Guy L. Coté
    Don Owen
  • sound effects
    Kathleen Shannon
  • music
    Donald Douglas

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Runner
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