Without Limits is a biographical film about the friendship between running star Steve Prefontaine (Billy Crudup) and his coach Bill Bowerman (Donald Sutherland), who had co-founded Nike, Inc.
This is a movie about life and the challenges we all face as family members, individuals, students, teachers, and members of society. It’s about sacrifice and going the distance. It’s about following your own heart in the face of opposition. And perhaps most importantly it’s about philosophy.
This movie is the incredible story of life of Prefontaine who broke numerous American records, just missed an Olympic medal, and revolutionized the idea of how some people race (from the front) before dying in a tragic car wreck in his prime. Prefontaine’s story is worth relishing and remembering. The movie talks about the birth and foundation of Nike with Bowerman being behind this movie.
In addition to focusing on Prefontaine ‘s relationships, the film spends time on racing strategies, introducing other athletes that engage in the sport at a deeper level. Prefontaince’s race sequences create the feel of a real race. The tension felt of running in the pack was expertly done, and the acting of Crudup in these sequences is excellent.
Director: Robert Towne
Year of Release: 1998
Character to watch: Billy Crudup as Steve Prefontaine.
Journal your answers to the following questions after you watch the movie.
- How does this particular character’s journey compare with yours?
- Did the character develop certain characteristics during the movie that you have or that you would like to have? If so, what are those characteristics?
- What obstacles did this character face? What was his or her biggest challenge?
- What would you have done differently if you had been in the same position as the character?
- Is this character the type of person you would be friends with? Why or why not?