A true story of one of America’s greatest Olympic athletes.
1977
100 Minutes
Feature, PG-13
Available on DVD
The description on the box gives the story line: "At the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome, Wilma Rudolph became the first woman to win three consecutive gold medals. But the most amazing part of this true story is that Wilma (played by Shirley Jo Finney) was stricken in her youth with crippling polio, a disease she conquered to become one of America’s greatest female athletes. The story begins with Wilma’s childhood in rural Tennessee when her parents learn of her terrible affliction. Her mother, Blanche (Cicely Tyson), does everything in her power to bolster Wilma’s self-confidence and help her overcome the handicap. Her determination pays off as Wilma grows in strength, speed and agility. Eventually, her tremendous courage and astounding athletic ability bring Wilma to her greatest triumph at the Olympic Games." Additionally, this film was an entry to the 1977 Peabody Awards and as it was made for TV it had it’s original broadcast on December 19, 1977 on NBC. It was written, produced, and directed by Bud Greenspan with Cappy Petrash Greenspan as executive producer. This release can be purchased from Amazon.com in VHS or DVD format.
