Not to be confused with the 1966
Diabolique rip-off
Games, 1970's The Games is set during the Rome Olympics. The film zeroes in on four contestants in the 26-mile marathon race: Briton
Michael Crawford, American
Ryan O'Neal, Czech
Charles Aznavour and Australian Athol Compton. Scenes of the grueling training sessions are placed in context with the personal dramas of the four men. Crawford is being driven to the breaking point by trainer
Stanley Baker, O'Neal is suffering from a dangerous heart condition, Aznavour is past forty but obliged to compete by his government, and Compton is an Aborigine fighting a lifelong battle against prejudice. Eric Segal, himself a former Olympic marathoner, adapted the screenplay of The Games for the novel by Hugh Atkinson. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide