Zátopek (2021) - full transcript
Autumn 1968, the Australian running record holder Ron Clarke is coming to Prague, hoping that his old friend and role model, Emil Zátopek, the most famous Czech athlete of all time, will help him overcome the biggest crisis of his career.
Here's to you!
So Emil, six dumplings...
-And here's for your friend.
-Smells beautiful!
-Enjoy.
-Thank you.
They're here.
HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH RUN
LET YOUNG EAGLES
FLY UP TO THE SUN!
Hey, who's running in
the Spring Race on Sunday?
You call
yourselves the Bata Youth?
How the hell do you
want to fly to the sun
if you're too lazy to get
off your asses and run a mile?
I need three men.
Well, if nobody
wants to volunteer...
We'll take it from the end.
Zrzavy. Zátopek. Wimer.
Sunday, 10 a.m.,
behind the new wing.
But I've never been allowed
to run because of my lungs.
Nobody's asking you to win,
just take part.
Just fly up to the sun,
young eagle!
-I don't know, boys...
-Krupicka will win it anyway.
Emil, close the
window. And turn out the light.
I'll just finish eating.
You want us to get
bombed? The lights are on.
Just a minute, boys.
Which one is Krupicka?
-Which one do you think?
-Guess.
Oh, that's lovely...
Runners to their marks!
Emil, careful, your lungs!
Don't you die on us!
Get set, go!
Go! Run!
Faster!
Krupicka! Krupicka! Krupicka!
That was great!
But I was second.
Come practice with us
at the stadium sometime.
-Emil!
-Emil!
-Look at that, Emil!
-You surprised me!
Jozka didn't think
you could do it!
Yes, I did.
-No, he didn't.
-Emil! You're like a cheetah!
What are you looking at?
The locker room's over there.
Change your clothes
and let's go run.
I don't have anything
to change into.
We'll find you something.
Good. Come on then.
What the hell
kind of running is that?
He runs like an injured octopus.
He's pretty quick, though.
Stop, Emil,
stop. You're running like wild.
Your head can't be tilted back
like that,
your arms and shoulders
should be loose.
Run on your toes,
not your heels.
You look like a baby elephant.
-Don't pay them any attention.
-I'm not. They're staring at me.
Well, you're a handsome kid,
so get running.
Me?
My brother Jaros
is the handsome one.
Jog, then give me
five straightaways
at a half-mile pace.
-And then?
-Then nothing.
Go home, eat and relax.
But tomorrow I want
to try a flat-out 3 km.
-You're off tomorrow.
-I want to run, doc.
Do you want me to
train you? Then do as I say.
Off you go.
So how's it going?
See for yourself.
He can't win anything
with that kind of style.
Much better, Emil.
Center of mass! Long steps! Save
your breath like the Finns do!
Stop grimacing and
focus on your style!
The end of the 2500m race
is approaching very quickly.
Amazing form on Tomín Salé,
a runner from SK Bata Zlín.
Ladies and gentlemen,
this is beautiful.
Salé not only maintains his lead
but continues to increase it
as the audience cheers him on.
But look, one of the
runners is speeding up.
It's Emil Zátopek, chasing
Tomín down like a locomotive,
wildly flailing his arms.
Will it be Salé or Zátopek?
Zátopek! A disappointed Salé
and a delighted Emil Zátopek.
Friends, the Czechoslovak record
for the one mile
has been broken.
Next three, go!
I joined the army
so I could focus on my training
and physical condition.
And they give big
servings in the canteen.
Your coach, Dr. Haluza, says he
has nothing more to teach you.
I've been training on my own.
Where are you going,
rattlebrain? Keep together!
Mr. Zátopek, we all
know you have great results,
but why do you make
such awful faces when you run?
I guess I'm not talented enough
to run and smile
at the same time.
Why are you practicing sprints
when you're a distance runner?
Because I know how to run,
I need to learn to run fast.
-Come play with us.
-I can't now.
Are you looking forward
to representing us
at the Allied Forces meet
in Berlin?
-Very much so.
-And how are you preparing?
I'm running.
May I ask for an
autograph? To Jirina.
Karel, take a picture.
-May I?
-Smile, please.
Got it.
Red.
Don't let that
Berlin race go to your head.
You're just gonna be
a curiosity, pretty boy!
Welcome, ladies and gentlemen,
to the Allied Forces
Championship here in Berlin.
Come here to me, Pedro!
We'll go out soon, OK?
Come, Pedro, we'll go soon.
Come, come, come...
-Here.
-I don't want to.
-Why not?
-Because he's famous.
Him? With the receding hairline?
-Well go on!
-Well go on!
Go to baldy!
-Congratulations.
-Thank you.
The flower suited you better.
Then give it
back to me when I win.
May I have an autograph?
That's her! That's her!
I've got her flowers. I mean,
they're mine, but...
-You did it!
-I did!
Miss! Hello! Congratulations!
-Well, where's the flower?
-It wilted in the meantime.
You're so slow!
Dana!
Good work!
No way!
Ladies and gentlemen, a few
moments ago the 10k race ended,
and the winner was Emil Zátopek!
The other
athletes congratulate him
and we look forward to seeing
him on the team at Wembley.
Meanwhile, other
qualifications are underway.
Dana Ingrová is
preparing for the javelin throw.
Can she beat the
qualification limit?
-Scratch !
-Dammit!
The event will
continue in a few minutes.
-Hello, gentlemen.
-Hello, Mr. Zátopek.
-Do you mind if I stand here?
-Of course not.
Friends, let's give our support
to next throw from Ingrová,
a great hope for
Czechoslovak sports.
And the javelin
lands at only 35 meters,
Too bad, but not a problem:
she still has one more try.
-Higher and to the left?
-Higher and to the left.
Now for Ingrová's final attempt.
And she's done it!
We have another qualification!
Young javelin thrower
Dana Ingrová is going to London!
Great!
-Congratulations.
-Thank you.
Hang on. Look at this.
-What's this?
-Look inside.
I wouldn't show people
this picture if I were you.
It's on the next page.
-Your name?
-No, here...
We were born on the
same day of the same year.
That can't be.
It must be fate.
Do you how many other
people were born that day?
Definitely lots.
See you later.
Can I accompany you?
Sure.
Of course.
We're going to Uherské Hradiste.
Then I'll run.
He really thinks he's
the bee's knees, doesn't he?
I spilled wine on myself.
Dana Ingrová! Shall we dance?
London is important to us.
Not just
athletically... politically.
We aren't just
athletes. But also soldiers.
And we have a duty towards...
Towards our country,
our people and their safety.
We need reliable information.
All we want from you, Emil,
is to keep your eyes peeled
in London.
And your ears.
What am I supposed
to be listening for?
Anyone speaking against
the state, comrade Zátopek,
or perhaps
considering leaving the team.
The gentleman has circled the
spots he is most interested in.
You can just walk by
like a regular tourist.
And take a few pictures.
I don't like it.
I just don't like it, Topek.
Are you going to finish that?
Why do they want
you to take pictures?
I have a duty towards
our people, our country.
We need reliable information.
What information?
The English invited us
to the Olympics
and you're going to spy on them?
It's just a few photos, Dandy,
there's nothing wrong with that.
I don't like it.
The cabbage is splendid.
Topek...
Don't play dumb.
You're right.
I don't know how
to use a camera anyway.
-Time?
-67 seconds.
It's too fast.
Fast is good, isn't it?
That's not how you run the 10k.
My legs will give out
in the last lap.
Clock me one more time.
You've run it 15 times already.
I'll run it a hundred times
until I get it right, Dana.
Then you know
what? Clock it yourself.
-Where are you going?
-To practice.
You can't!
I'm competing in London too,
you know.
You forgot.
Don't poke your
eye out with that stick.
I heard that.
No dinner tonight.
"I leave with a heavy heart, but
there is nothing else I can do."
"I'm sorry,
Emil. Goodbye. Dana."
-What's his time?
-71.
71 is good.
-What did he say?
-I don't know.
-73.
-73? That's too slow.
Where are those shorts?
He can't see it.
-Topek!
-He can't see you.
She's not doing so well today.
She looks tired.
Emil, the silver
medal! Congratulations!
Second place, amazing!
Maybe good for you,
Alain, but not for me.
Topek...
It says here you
are "hero of the day"!
Look.
The hero is always first,
Dandy. I came in second.
Big deal! So you're second!
I'm seventh! It's wonderful!
This is the Olympics!
It's not important that
you win but that you take part.
I don't care about taking part.
Do you think they'll
teach that in school one day?
Ingrová finished a
nice seventh at the Olympics!
But it's
wonderful that she took part!
I want to win every time.
The ones behind
me can take part.
You've really got it tough,
huh, Topek?
This is no sport.
When you win, it's easy.
You get a medal,
everyone congratulates you,
everyone wants to
take a picture with you...
You feel like the
whole world is at your feet.
But when you lose,
that's useful too, in a way.
That's the moment when
you come tumbling off the peak
and down into the valley.
And it's calm down there.
You can sit there and think.
Think about what went
wrong. Where you made a mistake.
And you can
recognize a truly great athlete
not by how they deal
with being on top, that's easy,
but by what they do when
they end up in that valley.
Do they become discouraged?
Do they stay down there
in the shadow?
We all know that moment.
That moment has come
for our entire country.
The moment we came
tumbling off the peak.
When our efforts
were beaten down
by a force we could not stop.
You know...
I always heard that sports and
politics were one and the same.
I never understood that,
but now I think so, too.
Even the Olympics
began long ago in Greece
as a political endeavor:
a moment to put
your weapons down
and battle becomes a game of
fair play,
where values like honor,
fairness and freedom
aren't just slogans.
And today, politics
should take an example
from sports. From you!
From you enthusiastic,
determined young people
who long for victory
but aren't put off by defeat.
I've got my fingers
crossed for all of you,
hoping that you make
it out of every valley
and up to a new peak,
and most of all that
you can live in a country
that will not be satisfied
with being in the valley.
A country that will
take advantage of the valley
to gather its strength and
find its way back to freedom.
Tell him he
won't be speaking, OK?
We thank comrade
Zátopek for his rousing speech,
and now it's
time for our champions!
Do you want to land
us all up shit creek?
As long as you can
play hero for the youngsters.
Emil, why?
-Mr. Zátopek!
-Can we have your autograph?
I'll be happy to,
boys. Of course.
So, you're
runners. You make me happy.
-Do you enjoy it?
-Yes.
Could we have an
autograph too, please?
Of course,
girls, I'll be happy to.
I'll just finish
the boys' first...
-Here you go.
-Thank you.
-And you girls are runners too?
-Yes.
-Long or short distance?
-You should be ashamed!
How dare you talk about honor,
you bastard?
You think nobody
remembers? Gottwald? Horakova?
Leave us alone.
You stay out of it,
you don't know what kind
of a man this Emil is!
What all he'll do to
stay out of the "valley".
He doesn't care what he climbs
over as long as he's up high!
You and your little Dana! A
pair of communist saints!
You don't know what
you're talking about so shut up!
How come your bourgeoisie
wench can fly all over the world
while others like her
have to work the fields?
How many asses
did you have to kiss?
You and your bitch of a wife?
You bastard!
A bastard and a Bolshevik swine!
Look who your hero is!
Your dear Emil Zátopek!
You fools fuck off!
-Those clowns! Alright then...
-I'll beat you, Topek!
Three, two, one, go!
We both won.
Do you know what
time Dana was born?
Dana? In the morning. 7 a.m.
Our Emil was born
just after midnight.
He always was fast. Right,
Father?
That's good, Colonel.
Our son is older.
I am relieved at last.
Let's drink to that.
-That hits the spot.
-I'll go for more.
Thanks, Lojza.
Did you know that Dana's
uncle was minister of defense
in the government in exile?
She's a good girl,
but from a bad family.
You can take advantage of that,
can't you?
A young,
good looking pair of Olympians?
A reformed bourgeoisie. People
will lose their shit over that.
Where are they anyway?
What's wrong?
I'm so scared, Topek.
Of what?
That we'll be one of
those boring married couples.
How could you
even think such a thing?
-Come now...
-I just don't know.
What are you doing?
What are you
doing? Where are you going?
Hang on...
It must never...
become...
boring.
Topek.
Give me that.
It must never...
become...
a prison.
-Dandy.
-Dandy.
Uherské Hradiste,
1948.
Deal.
-How many has he done?
-He's been here since 6 a.m.
He must have run
about forty 400s by now.
That's not how I'd imagine
my honeymoon... He's insane.
Insane, but he wins.
-Hi!
-Hi.
No loafing around, Standa.
Don't overdo it
and hurt yourself.
I don't want to get
lazy after the wedding.
Let's go, boys!
Let's go! Let's go, my boys!
-It's cold!
-Don't be silly.
It's cold! Yours is warm,
right Standa?
-You're nuts.
-Lend me some water!
Emil!
Emil!
Don't run off on me afterwards.
We didn't have warm
water when I was little.
Emil, you're a famous guy.
Everybody knows you,
everybody's talking about you.
Don't exaggerate.
All things must pass...
The people love you
and the party needs you.
We have to do
something for the people.
Emil, are you
serious about socialism?
I am serious about socialism.
It needs to be seen.
In socialism
you don't run for yourself.
You have to set an example.
For those who work
in the factories.
They need to know
you're one of them.
That you are theirs.
So, I'm running past
Alain Mimoun,
my friend the French runner,
and I ask him what
he had for breakfast.
He doesn't even look at me,
he just leans
over in a weird way...
I'm thinking, what's he looking
for? Has he lost something?
Like maybe the race?
And then I realize, no...
It must be the beans
from the English breakfast!
Kids, who likes
physical education?
As future athletes,
you have to eat healthy.
Drink lots of milk. It
has proteins and vitamins.
Eat fruit and vegetables.
Comrade Zátopek, what was it
like at the Olympics in London?
-What's your name?
-Emilka.
Emilka, call me Emil.
I'll tell you, boys:
there's nothing better
than Czech bread
with butter and salt.
Come over here for a photograph!
Have you got the medal?
Everybody in!
And there it is!
Unbelievable! Emil Zátopek
has beat the one-hour record!
Topek...
Topek...
What?
You're tired already?
No, no, I'm not, Dana.
The guppy gave birth
last week. They don't lay eggs.
The bitch ate all her children.
One's hiding behind a rock,
his chances don't look good.
I'll overfeed them and
see if they leave him alone.
Let me see that.
-You still haven't signed it?
-I don't understand it.
I don't understand it either.
They gave it to
me at headquarters.
But I need you to sign
it. You understand that, I hope.
I don't know these people
and I don't know what they did!
Josef, I'm an athlete, a runner.
I'm not much interested
in politics.
And that's the problem.
You should be interested.
You're a socialist athlete.
They will stand trial
whether you sign or not.
They're enemies of the people.
They wanted to destroy
everything we're building here.
How?
They were working
with the imperialists
to overthrow communism.
Some of them could
easily be American agents, Emil.
You have to realize
that everyone has signed it.
Karel Makovcu from the
committee, Jindra, Helena...
Almost the whole athletics club.
And those who haven't signed,
will. You can count on it.
Nota bene...
How am I supposed to explain
that Zátopek, of all people,
refused to sign it?
Whose wife has a
problematic background?
Comrades,
the Olympic games
are the pinnacle
of every athletic career.
As your head coach
I am very proud
and will always stand
by your side.
But know that there is
only strength in the collective.
The individual means nothing.
-Glory to sports and peace!
-Glory!
The moment is approaching
when we can show the world
everything that a few years of
socialism has been able to do!
And to fuck up.
You brat! Come here!
You can't get past me, sissy.
No, no tickling.
We're all responsible
for our actions.
Yes, but not tickling.
No, baldy, no!
Alright then, however you want.
No.
If you do it, you're dead.
I swear. No!
We interrupt the broadcast
for the following breaking news.
Early this morning,
at Pankrac prison,
pursuant to the verdict
of the court,
the following enemies
of the state were executed:
Jan Buchal, Zavis Kalandra,
Oldrich Pecl, Milada Horakova...
-Are you alright?
-Yeah, yeah...
Acute bronchitis. Just months
before Olympic qualifications.
-What can we do, doctor?
-It's best he do nothing at all.
Topek, wait for me.
You're supposed to rest
and you're still competing.
I feel healthy now. The
mountain air does me good.
Come on, Dandy!
Dandy! I don't know if
you know what you're doing!
Me? That man did it.
"Never scare a snake
with a bare foot."
It's "Tease a snake
with a bare foot."
You can't be stupid
if you want to be smart.
You missed, snake.
No, leave me alone.
Leave me alone,
I'll be nice now.
You will.
I love how cheerful,
beautiful, and cheeky you are.
That's why I have
such a handsome beau.
I guess we'll have cheerful,
beautiful, and cheeky kids.
We sure will.
What's that face?
I'm not making a face.
You look like
you don't want them.
And yet you say "sure we will".
Sure we will!
You know how it goes...
You never know
what's going to happen.
But you want it.
Sure I do, sweetie.
-But now's not the time.
-Why isn't it the time?
I'm almost 30.
And I want lots of kids.
Let's talk about it after
the Olympics.
That's the important thing now.
What will change after
the Olympics?
Then there will be another
Olympics.
But it's so nice.
We have such a nice life,
Dana. We can travel.
Can you imagine one
of us traveling the world
and the other in the house
with kids?
Well, when a person wants
kids...
then you imagine the beauty of
it, not who's going to be home.
I'm not that reckless, just
having kids, it's all beautiful,
and then not know
what to do with them.
-You don't want kids.
-Oh...
-I know you.
-No...
I can see it.
My mind is just elsewhere,
that's all.
We're going to Helsinki,
that's all I care about.
Really. Come on.
And what would you do
if I told you I was pregnant?
Are you?
What would you do
if I told you I was?
I don't know, that's so...
Emil?
What?
I like straight talk,
not these games.
-Am I not a straight talker?
-You are, but...
I'm here to relax.
I've got nothing more to say.
-I'm not pregnant.
-See there?
So everything's fine!
Dana...
-Dana!
-Leave me alone.
Get out of my sight.
Emil, don't be silly!
Emil!
Seven weeks' rest. No training.
Do you have the flower?
Yeah, I've got this.
I couldn't find a flower.
I took this from the kids.
Is this a joke?
It's Women's Day, there were
long lines everywhere.
Don't worry, women love toys.
Josef, do you
want sugar or honey?
I'll have honey.
There goes the qualification.
You won't have trained enough.
Running's not only about legs.
Right, for you it's
about pulling my leg.
Breath, Josef. Breath.
A lot of runners
underestimate that.
Dana, please, take care of him,
these games
are really important for him.
Dana's going to be training,
she can't wait on me.
I know, but she's not
throwing well right now.
Emil can bring home a gold.
Definitely.
I'll be happy to
tend to the national hero.
Dana's not doing sports anymore,
she's got other plans.
Hold that foot
straight or I can't bind it.
Can you be gentle? It hurts.
"When you can't take it anymore,
go harder," right?
What's that?
It's for you.
Don't be mad at me.
So we're having a
dog instead of a child?
Let's get you some water,
come on.
Come here, come.
Pedro, come.
Let's go.
My dear comrades,
our team is ready to represent
the sporting spirit of our
working people.
It is the first Olympics
where our athletes of peace
can show their dominance.
-Emil Zátopek.
-Emil Zátopek.
Matousek.
So where? Here.
This is a good spot.
Glory to sports.
-Hi, Stanislav Jungwirth.
-Jungwirth...
You're not on the list though,
comrade.
What do you mean I'm
not on the list, comrade?
Comrade Janecek,
comrade Jindra...
-Here.
-Jindra!
-Glory to sports.
-Glory to sports!
-Zachara.
-Zachara.
Glory to sports.
Comrade, this must
be a misunderstanding.
Come on, Standa,
stop holding us up!
He says I'm not on the list.
That's nonsense, comrade.
Look one more time. Comrade
Jungwirth is definitely there.
You can see for yourself,
comrade.
Maybe he's supposed to take
the next plane in three days.
What plane? The
entire team is flying today.
Then perhaps comrade Jungwirth
is not supposed to fly at all.
Comrade Jungwirth
dutifully prepared
for the whole cycle, four years.
He qualified for the games,
he's definitely supposed to fly!
Well he can't.
He's not on the list.
Standa, wait here a second.
There's some confusion
with Standa.
They won't let him board.
I can't leave him
alone in this.
Hang on...
-You go on, it will be fine.
-Topek!
You can't do this,
comrade. You're on the list.
Let me see.
Now I'm not. I'm
terrified of flying
and if Standa's not there
to hold my hand
then I won't make it.
Comrade Zátopek,
you know I can't make these
kinds of decisions.
Then notify those who can.
Comrade Jungwirth
and I will be training.
Come on.
And don't worry.
It'll all turn out alright.
Alright, maybe for you.
What do you mean?
You're their boy who
breaks one record after another.
My dad's in the
slammer for sedition.
All the boys are sick
of you playing hotshot,
making them look
like trained monkeys,
and you need everyone
to like you.
Now you want to play the hero.
I don't give a shit
about their Olympics, Emil.
Then why didn't you tell them
you don't give a shit
at the airport?
Then I could have gone.
You could have.
Nobody asked you to.
Do you even know what goes on in
this country?
The only thing in
your head is running.
My dad handed out some fucking
fliers and got six years.
You think you're the only
one who's got it tough? Huh?
I come from a family of
eight. We had nothing to eat.
And now I'm an Olympic
winner because I worked hard.
And you worked hard too. You're
the best mile runner in Europe.
You have to go, Standa.
So don't be a coward.
I'm no coward,
you balding idiot!
You little... Come here!
Standa!
Stop!
Comrade captain?
The colonel
wants a word with you.
Let's go then.
-Let me help you, young lady.
-Thanks.
Dana, we can say
he'll be arriving later,
but I need him here.
Why are you telling me?
What can I do
about it? I'm here.
Let Jungwirth come,
then he'll come.
Dana, don't be crazy.
Jungwirth can't come,
his father's a public enemy.
I need your help here, please.
It's up to Emil.
He'll listen to you,
he won't listen to anyone else.
Leave me alone already.
I helped you out and now you're
going to leave me in a pinch?
That idiot is going to have
the whole world laughing at us.
Don't ever talk
about him like that.
You're supposed to be
running! Winning medals!
And not getting involved in
things you know fuck all about
and that are none of
your fucking business.
Jungwirth is not going.
-In that case, neither am I.
-Enough!
Since when do
you talk back to me?
Yes?
Josef.
Are you home? Can I stop by?
Yes, come over.
Hi.
Did he have anything to do
with your little speech today?
No.
We're eating dinner,
do you want some?
No.
-Beer?
-Yeah.
Do you think it helps
anyone if you're in prison?
Do you think I'll get you
out of every problem you create?
It's your decision.
All I know is that tomorrow
it will be discussed
at headquarters.
They want to throw you
out of the party and the army.
And you'll end up with
gypsies swinging a pickaxe.
Who?
-What do you mean "who"?
-Who wants to throw me out?
Who do you think?
Them. Headquarters.
-Bullshit.
-What "bullshit"?
Bullshit.
And you know I don't swear.
And now I'm saying bullshit.
Bullshit.
Bullshit. Bullshit.
Big bullshit.
Because I know you say "them",
but it's you.
I'll tell you something, Josef:
You're a right bastard and a
scoundrel, you're not a friend.
You're saying that to me?
The one who's stood
up for you the whole time
and kept you under my wing?
You should have been
keeping an eye on Dana.
You can't throw me out!
You're finished!
You understand that?
The official version is that
you were rehabbing your leg.
And you'll stick to that
story. In front of everyone.
What are you doing?
Funny, huh? Then go tell them
how many medals
you're going to win.
Because if you don't win,
then back in Prague
you can expect hell on
Earth for that Jungwirth thing.
-Hi.
-Hi.
I brought you
this for good luck.
You forgot it at
home on the dresser.
-Aren't you happy?
-I am.
You don't say.
-Has something happened, Dandy?
-No, no.
I can see something's wrong.
This isn't the
right time, Topek.
We have to concentrate,
this might be our last Olympics.
Ladies and gentlemen,
we are broadcasting live
as we follow the world's
best runners
in the 10,000 meter race.
-Hey, buddy.
-Emil, how are you?
I hope you won't whimper when
you come in 2nd, like in London.
Second place is good for you,
not for me!
-Good luck, my friend.
-To you too.
Well well! Where
did you come from?
Whose dog are you?
Hang on!
Wait, I'll get you!
Come here!
Hey, come on!
Come here!
My fellow athletes, comrades, in
the name of all working people,
I want to thank you for your
exemplary representation
of our socialist republic.
I ask the head coach to assess
day one of the Olympic Games.
You ran well, Topek.
All our team members
deserve praise.
We held our own in every event.
I would particularly like
to mention boxer Jan Zachara,
who has won the gold medal.
Canoeist Jindra
in the tough 10 km race
took third place
and a bronze medal.
As expected, comrade Zátopek
achieved a success,
winning the gold.
If not for serious
problems with his conduct
he'd be a pretty good
representative of
Czechoslovakia.
Today we can expect
another tough day,
so glory to sports,
and honor to labor!
Boys, what are you doing?
What's that Boy Scout
stuff? Dynamics! Tempo!
Jarda, footwork!
The 5k is going
to be very tough.
Schade set a record
in the heats.
I know.
At least it will be fast-paced.
-Hi.
-Hi.
Listen, judging by
the heats in the 5000m,
you'll finish fifth at best.
You're not
prepared. You shouldn't run.
This is the biggest race here!
You can't just cross
me off it. I want to run.
You can't do that to me.
Josef, you're just
standing there, say something.
Me? I'm not the coach.
You have a gold medal. You'll
be remembered as a winner.
This is because of Jungwirth.
Jarda!
Dance on those feet a bit.
That's it: front,
front, back, boom.
The last heat of
the day is underway.
Things are quite even as
the runners reach the last lap.
In front is
Rolf Lamers of Germany,
Czechoslovak Stanislav Jungwirth
is currently in 2nd place.
Don't be nervous.
-It's just the heats.
-The tempo is good,
the time looks to be
about 3 minutes 50 seconds.
Standa will easily be first,
you'll see.
Making their way to the front
are Josy Barthel of Luxembourg,
and popular Swede
Ingvar Ericsson. Very exciting.
They don't want
me to run the 5 km.
Why not?
-That's nonsense.
-His legs are going stiff.
Standa, go harder!
-We are in the home stretch.
-Run lightly!
Josy Barthel races
ahead like a bullet
and wins by a wide margin.
The first six runners
will advance to the final.
A terrible blow to young
Czechoslovak Stanislav Jungwirth
who has finished
seventh and is disqualified.
The next heat will
begin in half an hour.
Where are you going?
Standa!
Standa!
Standa!
Come here.
What's this?
It'll be fine.
So you got seventh place.
Legs locked up on you,
huh? You'll be 1st next time...
FINNISH
I had to promise you
wouldn't do anything stupid.
-You didn't have to.
-I didn't?
If I hadn't then
you wouldn't be running.
You have no idea how
badly you pissed them off, Emil.
You're only
running thanks to me.
Never mind. This isn't
going to be an easy race.
Josef, please, stop talking.
And that's the
start of this great race
which the whole
world is watching.
And Zátopek remains in
the first group of the race
right there with Anufriyev
in very good cooperation.
What's he doing? Is he
trying to lose on purpose?
Emil!
Run!
As we speak,
right under our microphone,
Zátopek is
fighting to move up a place.
He quickly passes
a group of runners,
he's now in fifth
place right behind Mimoun.
And Zátopek is
moving to the front.
Herbert!
Come two laps with me.
Zátopek is now in the
lead. Herbert Schade behind him.
And now Schade again,
to cheers from the stands.
Schade, Mimoun,
Chataway, Zátopek.
He was showing
off unnecessarily...
And here it is,
ladies and gentlemen,
this is the climax of the
Olympic Games!
The stands are now
crying "Zátopek! Zátopek!"
And Zátopek is fighting,
encouraged by more than 70,000
fans here in Helsinki.
And Zátopek is taking the lead!
My friends, what we are
witnessing is an amazing race!
Zátopek falls
back to fourth place...
The runners are taking the
final turn at a riveting pace...
And Emil Zátopek is on the
verge of a tremendous finish,
we cannot truly be seeing this,
it must be a dream!
Chataway falls in the last turn,
a huge misfortune!
Zátopek is in a bitter
struggle with Frenchman Mimoun.
Zátopek is about to
make a beautiful finish.
They are in the home stretch,
Zátopek with a four-meter
lead...
That's it! Zátopek has won!
Alain Mimoun second,
and German Schade in 3rd place.
Zátopek has won the
gold in the 5000m race.
What Emil did today
in this beautiful contest
was something the
world has never seen!
Emil embraces his challenger
and close friend, Alain Mimoun.
A gesture symbolic
of these Olympic Games,
a gesture between great
rivals and great athletes.
Thank you!
So, I could hardly make
it any further,
I was practically tripping
over myself,
and suddenly I see
the boys in front
looking like they're wilting,
they're not doing
much better than I am.
So I thought,
I'm not coming in fourth,
there's no medal for that.
So, I closed my eyes
and put it in full drive
and bam-- I started legging it.
And when I opened my eyes
I was across the finish line.
I am very pleased that
I could win my second gold
in the homeland of my
great role model, Paavo Nurmi.
Mrs. Zátopková, you were
not tipped to win originally.
Were you even hoping for a gold
medal and an Olympic record?
Well, I practiced a lot,
but I wasn't thinking
about the gold...
Dana wants to say she
was inspired by her husband.
Try inspiring another girl
and see if she throws 50 meters.
It's true, his times
haven't been the best of late,
but we firmly believed that our
“Topek”, comrade Zátopek,
would be victorious.
Our entire Czechoslovak
Sports Union
did all it could to that end...
Dana...
Dandy...
I didn't mean it that way,
it was just a bit of fun.
That's what we promised each
other at the wedding, remember?
Well the main thing is
that you had a good time.
Now leave me alone.
I thought you had
a sense of humor.
Come here.
I won a gold medal, Emil.
But that was only thanks to you.
You are so selfish.
If someone had
done that to you...
If someone did it to
me then I'd laugh too.
You told me the Olympics were
the most important thing for us.
But you're full of it,
Emil. Full of it!
If they were, you wouldn't have
stayed in Prague
for Standa Jungwirth!
He's the best mile runner
in Europe.
It would have been unfair!
You're one to talk about fair.
You, who are so self-absorbed.
You couldn't care
less about me, Emil.
-About what I want.
-What do you want, Dana?
You know full well.
Then you should have married
some farmer from Hradiste
if the only thing you want
in life is to bear children.
I guess I should have.
Dana...
Helsinki, July 25, 1952.
The streets to the stadium
are lined
by tens of thousands of people.
The greatest race of the
Olympics is being run today,
the 42-kilometer marathon.
Our own Emil Zátopek
has shocked the whole world
by entering the race,
a distance he has never run.
Many consider it sheer madness.
Can he even finish the race?
And they're off!
The favorite of the race,
Peters, immediately takes the
lead...
Our own Emil Zátopek
is right there with him
giving the other
runners a hand signal,
perhaps for them to line up,
I really don't know.
Let's just hope this merciless
race goes better for the runners
than the marathon
at the London Olympics
where Belgian Étienne Gailly
collapsed.
You're going to kill him
for the sake of a stupid medal!
I had no idea about
it. This was his idea.
He's an adult, Dana.
He has no idea
how to run this race.
Then why the hell is he running
it?
Pain and suffering...
that is the boundary
that separates
the boys from the men.
Run!
And here he is! Running into
the Helsinki Olympic stadium.
The first runner, #903,
it is Czechoslovak Emil Zátopek!
Zátopek! Zátopek...
I'm sorry, I just cannot go on.
Please, forgive me, Dandy.
This is Ron Clarke.
No begging.
♪ Four oxen, four,
and two horses ♪
♪ Much to my dear
wife’s remorses ♪
♪ Two studs
And four oxen, four ♪
♪ Could have bought two hats
or more ♪
Look, the Zátopeks.
That's Zátopek!
Hi!
So Emil, six dumplings...
-And here's for your friend.
-Smells beautiful!
-Enjoy.
-Thank you.
They're here.
HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH RUN
LET YOUNG EAGLES
FLY UP TO THE SUN!
Hey, who's running in
the Spring Race on Sunday?
You call
yourselves the Bata Youth?
How the hell do you
want to fly to the sun
if you're too lazy to get
off your asses and run a mile?
I need three men.
Well, if nobody
wants to volunteer...
We'll take it from the end.
Zrzavy. Zátopek. Wimer.
Sunday, 10 a.m.,
behind the new wing.
But I've never been allowed
to run because of my lungs.
Nobody's asking you to win,
just take part.
Just fly up to the sun,
young eagle!
-I don't know, boys...
-Krupicka will win it anyway.
Emil, close the
window. And turn out the light.
I'll just finish eating.
You want us to get
bombed? The lights are on.
Just a minute, boys.
Which one is Krupicka?
-Which one do you think?
-Guess.
Oh, that's lovely...
Runners to their marks!
Emil, careful, your lungs!
Don't you die on us!
Get set, go!
Go! Run!
Faster!
Krupicka! Krupicka! Krupicka!
That was great!
But I was second.
Come practice with us
at the stadium sometime.
-Emil!
-Emil!
-Look at that, Emil!
-You surprised me!
Jozka didn't think
you could do it!
Yes, I did.
-No, he didn't.
-Emil! You're like a cheetah!
What are you looking at?
The locker room's over there.
Change your clothes
and let's go run.
I don't have anything
to change into.
We'll find you something.
Good. Come on then.
What the hell
kind of running is that?
He runs like an injured octopus.
He's pretty quick, though.
Stop, Emil,
stop. You're running like wild.
Your head can't be tilted back
like that,
your arms and shoulders
should be loose.
Run on your toes,
not your heels.
You look like a baby elephant.
-Don't pay them any attention.
-I'm not. They're staring at me.
Well, you're a handsome kid,
so get running.
Me?
My brother Jaros
is the handsome one.
Jog, then give me
five straightaways
at a half-mile pace.
-And then?
-Then nothing.
Go home, eat and relax.
But tomorrow I want
to try a flat-out 3 km.
-You're off tomorrow.
-I want to run, doc.
Do you want me to
train you? Then do as I say.
Off you go.
So how's it going?
See for yourself.
He can't win anything
with that kind of style.
Much better, Emil.
Center of mass! Long steps! Save
your breath like the Finns do!
Stop grimacing and
focus on your style!
The end of the 2500m race
is approaching very quickly.
Amazing form on Tomín Salé,
a runner from SK Bata Zlín.
Ladies and gentlemen,
this is beautiful.
Salé not only maintains his lead
but continues to increase it
as the audience cheers him on.
But look, one of the
runners is speeding up.
It's Emil Zátopek, chasing
Tomín down like a locomotive,
wildly flailing his arms.
Will it be Salé or Zátopek?
Zátopek! A disappointed Salé
and a delighted Emil Zátopek.
Friends, the Czechoslovak record
for the one mile
has been broken.
Next three, go!
I joined the army
so I could focus on my training
and physical condition.
And they give big
servings in the canteen.
Your coach, Dr. Haluza, says he
has nothing more to teach you.
I've been training on my own.
Where are you going,
rattlebrain? Keep together!
Mr. Zátopek, we all
know you have great results,
but why do you make
such awful faces when you run?
I guess I'm not talented enough
to run and smile
at the same time.
Why are you practicing sprints
when you're a distance runner?
Because I know how to run,
I need to learn to run fast.
-Come play with us.
-I can't now.
Are you looking forward
to representing us
at the Allied Forces meet
in Berlin?
-Very much so.
-And how are you preparing?
I'm running.
May I ask for an
autograph? To Jirina.
Karel, take a picture.
-May I?
-Smile, please.
Got it.
Red.
Don't let that
Berlin race go to your head.
You're just gonna be
a curiosity, pretty boy!
Welcome, ladies and gentlemen,
to the Allied Forces
Championship here in Berlin.
Come here to me, Pedro!
We'll go out soon, OK?
Come, Pedro, we'll go soon.
Come, come, come...
-Here.
-I don't want to.
-Why not?
-Because he's famous.
Him? With the receding hairline?
-Well go on!
-Well go on!
Go to baldy!
-Congratulations.
-Thank you.
The flower suited you better.
Then give it
back to me when I win.
May I have an autograph?
That's her! That's her!
I've got her flowers. I mean,
they're mine, but...
-You did it!
-I did!
Miss! Hello! Congratulations!
-Well, where's the flower?
-It wilted in the meantime.
You're so slow!
Dana!
Good work!
No way!
Ladies and gentlemen, a few
moments ago the 10k race ended,
and the winner was Emil Zátopek!
The other
athletes congratulate him
and we look forward to seeing
him on the team at Wembley.
Meanwhile, other
qualifications are underway.
Dana Ingrová is
preparing for the javelin throw.
Can she beat the
qualification limit?
-Scratch !
-Dammit!
The event will
continue in a few minutes.
-Hello, gentlemen.
-Hello, Mr. Zátopek.
-Do you mind if I stand here?
-Of course not.
Friends, let's give our support
to next throw from Ingrová,
a great hope for
Czechoslovak sports.
And the javelin
lands at only 35 meters,
Too bad, but not a problem:
she still has one more try.
-Higher and to the left?
-Higher and to the left.
Now for Ingrová's final attempt.
And she's done it!
We have another qualification!
Young javelin thrower
Dana Ingrová is going to London!
Great!
-Congratulations.
-Thank you.
Hang on. Look at this.
-What's this?
-Look inside.
I wouldn't show people
this picture if I were you.
It's on the next page.
-Your name?
-No, here...
We were born on the
same day of the same year.
That can't be.
It must be fate.
Do you how many other
people were born that day?
Definitely lots.
See you later.
Can I accompany you?
Sure.
Of course.
We're going to Uherské Hradiste.
Then I'll run.
He really thinks he's
the bee's knees, doesn't he?
I spilled wine on myself.
Dana Ingrová! Shall we dance?
London is important to us.
Not just
athletically... politically.
We aren't just
athletes. But also soldiers.
And we have a duty towards...
Towards our country,
our people and their safety.
We need reliable information.
All we want from you, Emil,
is to keep your eyes peeled
in London.
And your ears.
What am I supposed
to be listening for?
Anyone speaking against
the state, comrade Zátopek,
or perhaps
considering leaving the team.
The gentleman has circled the
spots he is most interested in.
You can just walk by
like a regular tourist.
And take a few pictures.
I don't like it.
I just don't like it, Topek.
Are you going to finish that?
Why do they want
you to take pictures?
I have a duty towards
our people, our country.
We need reliable information.
What information?
The English invited us
to the Olympics
and you're going to spy on them?
It's just a few photos, Dandy,
there's nothing wrong with that.
I don't like it.
The cabbage is splendid.
Topek...
Don't play dumb.
You're right.
I don't know how
to use a camera anyway.
-Time?
-67 seconds.
It's too fast.
Fast is good, isn't it?
That's not how you run the 10k.
My legs will give out
in the last lap.
Clock me one more time.
You've run it 15 times already.
I'll run it a hundred times
until I get it right, Dana.
Then you know
what? Clock it yourself.
-Where are you going?
-To practice.
You can't!
I'm competing in London too,
you know.
You forgot.
Don't poke your
eye out with that stick.
I heard that.
No dinner tonight.
"I leave with a heavy heart, but
there is nothing else I can do."
"I'm sorry,
Emil. Goodbye. Dana."
-What's his time?
-71.
71 is good.
-What did he say?
-I don't know.
-73.
-73? That's too slow.
Where are those shorts?
He can't see it.
-Topek!
-He can't see you.
She's not doing so well today.
She looks tired.
Emil, the silver
medal! Congratulations!
Second place, amazing!
Maybe good for you,
Alain, but not for me.
Topek...
It says here you
are "hero of the day"!
Look.
The hero is always first,
Dandy. I came in second.
Big deal! So you're second!
I'm seventh! It's wonderful!
This is the Olympics!
It's not important that
you win but that you take part.
I don't care about taking part.
Do you think they'll
teach that in school one day?
Ingrová finished a
nice seventh at the Olympics!
But it's
wonderful that she took part!
I want to win every time.
The ones behind
me can take part.
You've really got it tough,
huh, Topek?
This is no sport.
When you win, it's easy.
You get a medal,
everyone congratulates you,
everyone wants to
take a picture with you...
You feel like the
whole world is at your feet.
But when you lose,
that's useful too, in a way.
That's the moment when
you come tumbling off the peak
and down into the valley.
And it's calm down there.
You can sit there and think.
Think about what went
wrong. Where you made a mistake.
And you can
recognize a truly great athlete
not by how they deal
with being on top, that's easy,
but by what they do when
they end up in that valley.
Do they become discouraged?
Do they stay down there
in the shadow?
We all know that moment.
That moment has come
for our entire country.
The moment we came
tumbling off the peak.
When our efforts
were beaten down
by a force we could not stop.
You know...
I always heard that sports and
politics were one and the same.
I never understood that,
but now I think so, too.
Even the Olympics
began long ago in Greece
as a political endeavor:
a moment to put
your weapons down
and battle becomes a game of
fair play,
where values like honor,
fairness and freedom
aren't just slogans.
And today, politics
should take an example
from sports. From you!
From you enthusiastic,
determined young people
who long for victory
but aren't put off by defeat.
I've got my fingers
crossed for all of you,
hoping that you make
it out of every valley
and up to a new peak,
and most of all that
you can live in a country
that will not be satisfied
with being in the valley.
A country that will
take advantage of the valley
to gather its strength and
find its way back to freedom.
Tell him he
won't be speaking, OK?
We thank comrade
Zátopek for his rousing speech,
and now it's
time for our champions!
Do you want to land
us all up shit creek?
As long as you can
play hero for the youngsters.
Emil, why?
-Mr. Zátopek!
-Can we have your autograph?
I'll be happy to,
boys. Of course.
So, you're
runners. You make me happy.
-Do you enjoy it?
-Yes.
Could we have an
autograph too, please?
Of course,
girls, I'll be happy to.
I'll just finish
the boys' first...
-Here you go.
-Thank you.
-And you girls are runners too?
-Yes.
-Long or short distance?
-You should be ashamed!
How dare you talk about honor,
you bastard?
You think nobody
remembers? Gottwald? Horakova?
Leave us alone.
You stay out of it,
you don't know what kind
of a man this Emil is!
What all he'll do to
stay out of the "valley".
He doesn't care what he climbs
over as long as he's up high!
You and your little Dana! A
pair of communist saints!
You don't know what
you're talking about so shut up!
How come your bourgeoisie
wench can fly all over the world
while others like her
have to work the fields?
How many asses
did you have to kiss?
You and your bitch of a wife?
You bastard!
A bastard and a Bolshevik swine!
Look who your hero is!
Your dear Emil Zátopek!
You fools fuck off!
-Those clowns! Alright then...
-I'll beat you, Topek!
Three, two, one, go!
We both won.
Do you know what
time Dana was born?
Dana? In the morning. 7 a.m.
Our Emil was born
just after midnight.
He always was fast. Right,
Father?
That's good, Colonel.
Our son is older.
I am relieved at last.
Let's drink to that.
-That hits the spot.
-I'll go for more.
Thanks, Lojza.
Did you know that Dana's
uncle was minister of defense
in the government in exile?
She's a good girl,
but from a bad family.
You can take advantage of that,
can't you?
A young,
good looking pair of Olympians?
A reformed bourgeoisie. People
will lose their shit over that.
Where are they anyway?
What's wrong?
I'm so scared, Topek.
Of what?
That we'll be one of
those boring married couples.
How could you
even think such a thing?
-Come now...
-I just don't know.
What are you doing?
What are you
doing? Where are you going?
Hang on...
It must never...
become...
boring.
Topek.
Give me that.
It must never...
become...
a prison.
-Dandy.
-Dandy.
Uherské Hradiste,
1948.
Deal.
-How many has he done?
-He's been here since 6 a.m.
He must have run
about forty 400s by now.
That's not how I'd imagine
my honeymoon... He's insane.
Insane, but he wins.
-Hi!
-Hi.
No loafing around, Standa.
Don't overdo it
and hurt yourself.
I don't want to get
lazy after the wedding.
Let's go, boys!
Let's go! Let's go, my boys!
-It's cold!
-Don't be silly.
It's cold! Yours is warm,
right Standa?
-You're nuts.
-Lend me some water!
Emil!
Emil!
Don't run off on me afterwards.
We didn't have warm
water when I was little.
Emil, you're a famous guy.
Everybody knows you,
everybody's talking about you.
Don't exaggerate.
All things must pass...
The people love you
and the party needs you.
We have to do
something for the people.
Emil, are you
serious about socialism?
I am serious about socialism.
It needs to be seen.
In socialism
you don't run for yourself.
You have to set an example.
For those who work
in the factories.
They need to know
you're one of them.
That you are theirs.
So, I'm running past
Alain Mimoun,
my friend the French runner,
and I ask him what
he had for breakfast.
He doesn't even look at me,
he just leans
over in a weird way...
I'm thinking, what's he looking
for? Has he lost something?
Like maybe the race?
And then I realize, no...
It must be the beans
from the English breakfast!
Kids, who likes
physical education?
As future athletes,
you have to eat healthy.
Drink lots of milk. It
has proteins and vitamins.
Eat fruit and vegetables.
Comrade Zátopek, what was it
like at the Olympics in London?
-What's your name?
-Emilka.
Emilka, call me Emil.
I'll tell you, boys:
there's nothing better
than Czech bread
with butter and salt.
Come over here for a photograph!
Have you got the medal?
Everybody in!
And there it is!
Unbelievable! Emil Zátopek
has beat the one-hour record!
Topek...
Topek...
What?
You're tired already?
No, no, I'm not, Dana.
The guppy gave birth
last week. They don't lay eggs.
The bitch ate all her children.
One's hiding behind a rock,
his chances don't look good.
I'll overfeed them and
see if they leave him alone.
Let me see that.
-You still haven't signed it?
-I don't understand it.
I don't understand it either.
They gave it to
me at headquarters.
But I need you to sign
it. You understand that, I hope.
I don't know these people
and I don't know what they did!
Josef, I'm an athlete, a runner.
I'm not much interested
in politics.
And that's the problem.
You should be interested.
You're a socialist athlete.
They will stand trial
whether you sign or not.
They're enemies of the people.
They wanted to destroy
everything we're building here.
How?
They were working
with the imperialists
to overthrow communism.
Some of them could
easily be American agents, Emil.
You have to realize
that everyone has signed it.
Karel Makovcu from the
committee, Jindra, Helena...
Almost the whole athletics club.
And those who haven't signed,
will. You can count on it.
Nota bene...
How am I supposed to explain
that Zátopek, of all people,
refused to sign it?
Whose wife has a
problematic background?
Comrades,
the Olympic games
are the pinnacle
of every athletic career.
As your head coach
I am very proud
and will always stand
by your side.
But know that there is
only strength in the collective.
The individual means nothing.
-Glory to sports and peace!
-Glory!
The moment is approaching
when we can show the world
everything that a few years of
socialism has been able to do!
And to fuck up.
You brat! Come here!
You can't get past me, sissy.
No, no tickling.
We're all responsible
for our actions.
Yes, but not tickling.
No, baldy, no!
Alright then, however you want.
No.
If you do it, you're dead.
I swear. No!
We interrupt the broadcast
for the following breaking news.
Early this morning,
at Pankrac prison,
pursuant to the verdict
of the court,
the following enemies
of the state were executed:
Jan Buchal, Zavis Kalandra,
Oldrich Pecl, Milada Horakova...
-Are you alright?
-Yeah, yeah...
Acute bronchitis. Just months
before Olympic qualifications.
-What can we do, doctor?
-It's best he do nothing at all.
Topek, wait for me.
You're supposed to rest
and you're still competing.
I feel healthy now. The
mountain air does me good.
Come on, Dandy!
Dandy! I don't know if
you know what you're doing!
Me? That man did it.
"Never scare a snake
with a bare foot."
It's "Tease a snake
with a bare foot."
You can't be stupid
if you want to be smart.
You missed, snake.
No, leave me alone.
Leave me alone,
I'll be nice now.
You will.
I love how cheerful,
beautiful, and cheeky you are.
That's why I have
such a handsome beau.
I guess we'll have cheerful,
beautiful, and cheeky kids.
We sure will.
What's that face?
I'm not making a face.
You look like
you don't want them.
And yet you say "sure we will".
Sure we will!
You know how it goes...
You never know
what's going to happen.
But you want it.
Sure I do, sweetie.
-But now's not the time.
-Why isn't it the time?
I'm almost 30.
And I want lots of kids.
Let's talk about it after
the Olympics.
That's the important thing now.
What will change after
the Olympics?
Then there will be another
Olympics.
But it's so nice.
We have such a nice life,
Dana. We can travel.
Can you imagine one
of us traveling the world
and the other in the house
with kids?
Well, when a person wants
kids...
then you imagine the beauty of
it, not who's going to be home.
I'm not that reckless, just
having kids, it's all beautiful,
and then not know
what to do with them.
-You don't want kids.
-Oh...
-I know you.
-No...
I can see it.
My mind is just elsewhere,
that's all.
We're going to Helsinki,
that's all I care about.
Really. Come on.
And what would you do
if I told you I was pregnant?
Are you?
What would you do
if I told you I was?
I don't know, that's so...
Emil?
What?
I like straight talk,
not these games.
-Am I not a straight talker?
-You are, but...
I'm here to relax.
I've got nothing more to say.
-I'm not pregnant.
-See there?
So everything's fine!
Dana...
-Dana!
-Leave me alone.
Get out of my sight.
Emil, don't be silly!
Emil!
Seven weeks' rest. No training.
Do you have the flower?
Yeah, I've got this.
I couldn't find a flower.
I took this from the kids.
Is this a joke?
It's Women's Day, there were
long lines everywhere.
Don't worry, women love toys.
Josef, do you
want sugar or honey?
I'll have honey.
There goes the qualification.
You won't have trained enough.
Running's not only about legs.
Right, for you it's
about pulling my leg.
Breath, Josef. Breath.
A lot of runners
underestimate that.
Dana, please, take care of him,
these games
are really important for him.
Dana's going to be training,
she can't wait on me.
I know, but she's not
throwing well right now.
Emil can bring home a gold.
Definitely.
I'll be happy to
tend to the national hero.
Dana's not doing sports anymore,
she's got other plans.
Hold that foot
straight or I can't bind it.
Can you be gentle? It hurts.
"When you can't take it anymore,
go harder," right?
What's that?
It's for you.
Don't be mad at me.
So we're having a
dog instead of a child?
Let's get you some water,
come on.
Come here, come.
Pedro, come.
Let's go.
My dear comrades,
our team is ready to represent
the sporting spirit of our
working people.
It is the first Olympics
where our athletes of peace
can show their dominance.
-Emil Zátopek.
-Emil Zátopek.
Matousek.
So where? Here.
This is a good spot.
Glory to sports.
-Hi, Stanislav Jungwirth.
-Jungwirth...
You're not on the list though,
comrade.
What do you mean I'm
not on the list, comrade?
Comrade Janecek,
comrade Jindra...
-Here.
-Jindra!
-Glory to sports.
-Glory to sports!
-Zachara.
-Zachara.
Glory to sports.
Comrade, this must
be a misunderstanding.
Come on, Standa,
stop holding us up!
He says I'm not on the list.
That's nonsense, comrade.
Look one more time. Comrade
Jungwirth is definitely there.
You can see for yourself,
comrade.
Maybe he's supposed to take
the next plane in three days.
What plane? The
entire team is flying today.
Then perhaps comrade Jungwirth
is not supposed to fly at all.
Comrade Jungwirth
dutifully prepared
for the whole cycle, four years.
He qualified for the games,
he's definitely supposed to fly!
Well he can't.
He's not on the list.
Standa, wait here a second.
There's some confusion
with Standa.
They won't let him board.
I can't leave him
alone in this.
Hang on...
-You go on, it will be fine.
-Topek!
You can't do this,
comrade. You're on the list.
Let me see.
Now I'm not. I'm
terrified of flying
and if Standa's not there
to hold my hand
then I won't make it.
Comrade Zátopek,
you know I can't make these
kinds of decisions.
Then notify those who can.
Comrade Jungwirth
and I will be training.
Come on.
And don't worry.
It'll all turn out alright.
Alright, maybe for you.
What do you mean?
You're their boy who
breaks one record after another.
My dad's in the
slammer for sedition.
All the boys are sick
of you playing hotshot,
making them look
like trained monkeys,
and you need everyone
to like you.
Now you want to play the hero.
I don't give a shit
about their Olympics, Emil.
Then why didn't you tell them
you don't give a shit
at the airport?
Then I could have gone.
You could have.
Nobody asked you to.
Do you even know what goes on in
this country?
The only thing in
your head is running.
My dad handed out some fucking
fliers and got six years.
You think you're the only
one who's got it tough? Huh?
I come from a family of
eight. We had nothing to eat.
And now I'm an Olympic
winner because I worked hard.
And you worked hard too. You're
the best mile runner in Europe.
You have to go, Standa.
So don't be a coward.
I'm no coward,
you balding idiot!
You little... Come here!
Standa!
Stop!
Comrade captain?
The colonel
wants a word with you.
Let's go then.
-Let me help you, young lady.
-Thanks.
Dana, we can say
he'll be arriving later,
but I need him here.
Why are you telling me?
What can I do
about it? I'm here.
Let Jungwirth come,
then he'll come.
Dana, don't be crazy.
Jungwirth can't come,
his father's a public enemy.
I need your help here, please.
It's up to Emil.
He'll listen to you,
he won't listen to anyone else.
Leave me alone already.
I helped you out and now you're
going to leave me in a pinch?
That idiot is going to have
the whole world laughing at us.
Don't ever talk
about him like that.
You're supposed to be
running! Winning medals!
And not getting involved in
things you know fuck all about
and that are none of
your fucking business.
Jungwirth is not going.
-In that case, neither am I.
-Enough!
Since when do
you talk back to me?
Yes?
Josef.
Are you home? Can I stop by?
Yes, come over.
Hi.
Did he have anything to do
with your little speech today?
No.
We're eating dinner,
do you want some?
No.
-Beer?
-Yeah.
Do you think it helps
anyone if you're in prison?
Do you think I'll get you
out of every problem you create?
It's your decision.
All I know is that tomorrow
it will be discussed
at headquarters.
They want to throw you
out of the party and the army.
And you'll end up with
gypsies swinging a pickaxe.
Who?
-What do you mean "who"?
-Who wants to throw me out?
Who do you think?
Them. Headquarters.
-Bullshit.
-What "bullshit"?
Bullshit.
And you know I don't swear.
And now I'm saying bullshit.
Bullshit.
Bullshit. Bullshit.
Big bullshit.
Because I know you say "them",
but it's you.
I'll tell you something, Josef:
You're a right bastard and a
scoundrel, you're not a friend.
You're saying that to me?
The one who's stood
up for you the whole time
and kept you under my wing?
You should have been
keeping an eye on Dana.
You can't throw me out!
You're finished!
You understand that?
The official version is that
you were rehabbing your leg.
And you'll stick to that
story. In front of everyone.
What are you doing?
Funny, huh? Then go tell them
how many medals
you're going to win.
Because if you don't win,
then back in Prague
you can expect hell on
Earth for that Jungwirth thing.
-Hi.
-Hi.
I brought you
this for good luck.
You forgot it at
home on the dresser.
-Aren't you happy?
-I am.
You don't say.
-Has something happened, Dandy?
-No, no.
I can see something's wrong.
This isn't the
right time, Topek.
We have to concentrate,
this might be our last Olympics.
Ladies and gentlemen,
we are broadcasting live
as we follow the world's
best runners
in the 10,000 meter race.
-Hey, buddy.
-Emil, how are you?
I hope you won't whimper when
you come in 2nd, like in London.
Second place is good for you,
not for me!
-Good luck, my friend.
-To you too.
Well well! Where
did you come from?
Whose dog are you?
Hang on!
Wait, I'll get you!
Come here!
Hey, come on!
Come here!
My fellow athletes, comrades, in
the name of all working people,
I want to thank you for your
exemplary representation
of our socialist republic.
I ask the head coach to assess
day one of the Olympic Games.
You ran well, Topek.
All our team members
deserve praise.
We held our own in every event.
I would particularly like
to mention boxer Jan Zachara,
who has won the gold medal.
Canoeist Jindra
in the tough 10 km race
took third place
and a bronze medal.
As expected, comrade Zátopek
achieved a success,
winning the gold.
If not for serious
problems with his conduct
he'd be a pretty good
representative of
Czechoslovakia.
Today we can expect
another tough day,
so glory to sports,
and honor to labor!
Boys, what are you doing?
What's that Boy Scout
stuff? Dynamics! Tempo!
Jarda, footwork!
The 5k is going
to be very tough.
Schade set a record
in the heats.
I know.
At least it will be fast-paced.
-Hi.
-Hi.
Listen, judging by
the heats in the 5000m,
you'll finish fifth at best.
You're not
prepared. You shouldn't run.
This is the biggest race here!
You can't just cross
me off it. I want to run.
You can't do that to me.
Josef, you're just
standing there, say something.
Me? I'm not the coach.
You have a gold medal. You'll
be remembered as a winner.
This is because of Jungwirth.
Jarda!
Dance on those feet a bit.
That's it: front,
front, back, boom.
The last heat of
the day is underway.
Things are quite even as
the runners reach the last lap.
In front is
Rolf Lamers of Germany,
Czechoslovak Stanislav Jungwirth
is currently in 2nd place.
Don't be nervous.
-It's just the heats.
-The tempo is good,
the time looks to be
about 3 minutes 50 seconds.
Standa will easily be first,
you'll see.
Making their way to the front
are Josy Barthel of Luxembourg,
and popular Swede
Ingvar Ericsson. Very exciting.
They don't want
me to run the 5 km.
Why not?
-That's nonsense.
-His legs are going stiff.
Standa, go harder!
-We are in the home stretch.
-Run lightly!
Josy Barthel races
ahead like a bullet
and wins by a wide margin.
The first six runners
will advance to the final.
A terrible blow to young
Czechoslovak Stanislav Jungwirth
who has finished
seventh and is disqualified.
The next heat will
begin in half an hour.
Where are you going?
Standa!
Standa!
Standa!
Come here.
What's this?
It'll be fine.
So you got seventh place.
Legs locked up on you,
huh? You'll be 1st next time...
FINNISH
I had to promise you
wouldn't do anything stupid.
-You didn't have to.
-I didn't?
If I hadn't then
you wouldn't be running.
You have no idea how
badly you pissed them off, Emil.
You're only
running thanks to me.
Never mind. This isn't
going to be an easy race.
Josef, please, stop talking.
And that's the
start of this great race
which the whole
world is watching.
And Zátopek remains in
the first group of the race
right there with Anufriyev
in very good cooperation.
What's he doing? Is he
trying to lose on purpose?
Emil!
Run!
As we speak,
right under our microphone,
Zátopek is
fighting to move up a place.
He quickly passes
a group of runners,
he's now in fifth
place right behind Mimoun.
And Zátopek is
moving to the front.
Herbert!
Come two laps with me.
Zátopek is now in the
lead. Herbert Schade behind him.
And now Schade again,
to cheers from the stands.
Schade, Mimoun,
Chataway, Zátopek.
He was showing
off unnecessarily...
And here it is,
ladies and gentlemen,
this is the climax of the
Olympic Games!
The stands are now
crying "Zátopek! Zátopek!"
And Zátopek is fighting,
encouraged by more than 70,000
fans here in Helsinki.
And Zátopek is taking the lead!
My friends, what we are
witnessing is an amazing race!
Zátopek falls
back to fourth place...
The runners are taking the
final turn at a riveting pace...
And Emil Zátopek is on the
verge of a tremendous finish,
we cannot truly be seeing this,
it must be a dream!
Chataway falls in the last turn,
a huge misfortune!
Zátopek is in a bitter
struggle with Frenchman Mimoun.
Zátopek is about to
make a beautiful finish.
They are in the home stretch,
Zátopek with a four-meter
lead...
That's it! Zátopek has won!
Alain Mimoun second,
and German Schade in 3rd place.
Zátopek has won the
gold in the 5000m race.
What Emil did today
in this beautiful contest
was something the
world has never seen!
Emil embraces his challenger
and close friend, Alain Mimoun.
A gesture symbolic
of these Olympic Games,
a gesture between great
rivals and great athletes.
Thank you!
So, I could hardly make
it any further,
I was practically tripping
over myself,
and suddenly I see
the boys in front
looking like they're wilting,
they're not doing
much better than I am.
So I thought,
I'm not coming in fourth,
there's no medal for that.
So, I closed my eyes
and put it in full drive
and bam-- I started legging it.
And when I opened my eyes
I was across the finish line.
I am very pleased that
I could win my second gold
in the homeland of my
great role model, Paavo Nurmi.
Mrs. Zátopková, you were
not tipped to win originally.
Were you even hoping for a gold
medal and an Olympic record?
Well, I practiced a lot,
but I wasn't thinking
about the gold...
Dana wants to say she
was inspired by her husband.
Try inspiring another girl
and see if she throws 50 meters.
It's true, his times
haven't been the best of late,
but we firmly believed that our
“Topek”, comrade Zátopek,
would be victorious.
Our entire Czechoslovak
Sports Union
did all it could to that end...
Dana...
Dandy...
I didn't mean it that way,
it was just a bit of fun.
That's what we promised each
other at the wedding, remember?
Well the main thing is
that you had a good time.
Now leave me alone.
I thought you had
a sense of humor.
Come here.
I won a gold medal, Emil.
But that was only thanks to you.
You are so selfish.
If someone had
done that to you...
If someone did it to
me then I'd laugh too.
You told me the Olympics were
the most important thing for us.
But you're full of it,
Emil. Full of it!
If they were, you wouldn't have
stayed in Prague
for Standa Jungwirth!
He's the best mile runner
in Europe.
It would have been unfair!
You're one to talk about fair.
You, who are so self-absorbed.
You couldn't care
less about me, Emil.
-About what I want.
-What do you want, Dana?
You know full well.
Then you should have married
some farmer from Hradiste
if the only thing you want
in life is to bear children.
I guess I should have.
Dana...
Helsinki, July 25, 1952.
The streets to the stadium
are lined
by tens of thousands of people.
The greatest race of the
Olympics is being run today,
the 42-kilometer marathon.
Our own Emil Zátopek
has shocked the whole world
by entering the race,
a distance he has never run.
Many consider it sheer madness.
Can he even finish the race?
And they're off!
The favorite of the race,
Peters, immediately takes the
lead...
Our own Emil Zátopek
is right there with him
giving the other
runners a hand signal,
perhaps for them to line up,
I really don't know.
Let's just hope this merciless
race goes better for the runners
than the marathon
at the London Olympics
where Belgian Étienne Gailly
collapsed.
You're going to kill him
for the sake of a stupid medal!
I had no idea about
it. This was his idea.
He's an adult, Dana.
He has no idea
how to run this race.
Then why the hell is he running
it?
Pain and suffering...
that is the boundary
that separates
the boys from the men.
Run!
And here he is! Running into
the Helsinki Olympic stadium.
The first runner, #903,
it is Czechoslovak Emil Zátopek!
Zátopek! Zátopek...
I'm sorry, I just cannot go on.
Please, forgive me, Dandy.
This is Ron Clarke.
No begging.
♪ Four oxen, four,
and two horses ♪
♪ Much to my dear
wife’s remorses ♪
♪ Two studs
And four oxen, four ♪
♪ Could have bought two hats
or more ♪
Look, the Zátopeks.
That's Zátopek!
Hi!