Harry Jerome : The Fastest Man on Earth

In 1959, at just nineteen years of age, Harry Jerome was Canada'smost promising track and field star and he was on his way to the Olympics in Rome. By 1962, after suffering a gruesome leg injury, there was every reason to think that his racing days were over. But Jerome was not just a champion on the track; he was doubly determined off it. And so began his climb to what his coach, the legendary Bill Bowerman, called "the greatest comeback in track and field history." Through years of unparalleled political turbulence, racial conflict and his own personal challenges, Harry Jerome kept his head down and ran, displaying strength of character and willful perseverance every bit as impressive as his record-setting athleticism. Filmmaker Charles Officer uses gorgeous monochrome imagery, impassioned interviews and astonishing archival footage to tell the runner's triumphant story, from his early days in North Vancouver, through his three Olympics and his unequalled streak of records, to his sudden and tragically premature death. Family, friends and teammates recall a man who forever changed the Canadian sports landscape and made an indelible mark upon the world. Compelling, surprising and urgently paced, Mighty Jerome will electrify sports fans, history buffs and all those with an appreciation for tales of courage and redemption. Inspired by the book Running Uphill, The Fast, Short Life of Canadian Champion Harry Jerome by Fil Fraser.

In 1959, at just 19 years of age, Harry Jerome was Canada's most promising track and field star, and he was on his way to the Olympics in Rome. By 1962, after suffering a gruesome leg injury, there was every reason to think that his racing days were over. But Jerome was not just a champion on the track; he was doubly determined off it. And so began his climb to what his coach, the legendary Bill Bowerman, called "the greatest comeback in track and field history." Through years of unparalleled political turbulence, racial conflict and his own personal challenges, Harry Jerome kept his head down and ran, displaying strength of character and willful perseverance every bit as impressive as his record-setting athleticism. Filmmaker Charles Officer uses gorgeous monochrome imagery, impassioned interviews and astonishing archival footage to tell the runner's triumphant story, from his early days in North Vancouver, through his three Olympics and his unequalled streak of records, to his sudden and tragically premature death. Family, friends and teammaes recall a man who forever changed the Canadian sports landscape and made an indelible mark upon the world. Compelling, surprising and urgently paced, Mighty Jerome will electrify sports fans, history buffs and all those with an appreciation for tales of courage and redemption. Prices include public performance rights. Grade Level: Grades 9-12, College, Adult Streaming rights are available for this title. For pricing, please call 1-800-542-2164.

Ne jamais abandonner. Le Canadien Harry Jerome triomphe du racisme pour atteindre des sommets en athlétisme. Lorsqu'une blessure menace de mettre fin à sa carrière, Jerome poursuit son entraînement avec assiduité et effectue l'un des retours les plus glorieux de l'histoire du sport. Spécialement conçu pour les élèves de niveau primaire et intermédiaire, ce film met en vedette deux écoliers qui nous présentent la vie de Jerome, les défis qu'il lui a fallu surmonter, ainsi que son héritage - dont le Harry Jerome International Track Classic, une manifestation sportive qui rassemble jeunes et adultes pour célébrer l'athlétisme et la bonne condition physique chez les jeunes. Vous en apprendrez davantage sur la façon d'utiliser ce film en classe, notamment pour approfondir les thèmes de l'héroïsme, du leadership et du développement de la conscience communautaire, en consultant le guide pédagogique d'accompagnement Harry Jerome : l'homme le plus rapide au monde . Pour télécharger le guide pédagogique sur Harry Jerome, allez à ONF.ca/education. (Harry Jerome est inspiré du long métrage documentaire Mighty Jerome, écrit et réalisé par Charles Officer.)