Miracle on Ice (ABC, 1981)

Synopsis: In 1980 the United States Olympic hockey team, composed of a rag-tag group of amateur and collegiate players, is whipped into shape by controversial coach Herb Brooks.  At the 1980 Lake Placid Winter Olympics they miraculously defeated the Soviet Union team, which was considered the best hockey team in the world and went on to win the gold medal by winning their final match over Finland. 

Movie Rating (Medal Count):

Movie Review: This movie is the big medal winner as it embodies everything the Olympic dream stands for -- a rag-tag team of amateurs (and huge underdogs) beats the World Championship team of professionals. Great hockey action, determined coach, loveable athletes. Oh, and don't forget the politics of the US of A beating the Ruskies. The Michael Phelps of Olympic TV movies.

A Brother's Promise: The Dan Jansen Story (CBS, 1996)

Synopsis: At the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics speed skater Dan Jansen is so grief stricken over the death of his beloved sister Jane -- from leukemia -- that he fails to win a medal.  With the loving support of his close-knit family he is able to overcome his devastation and resume his training.  In 1994 at the Lillehammer Winter Olympics, he ultimately wins a gold medal, accomplishing a life-long dream and fulfilling the promise he made to his dying sister.

Movie Rating (Medal Count):

Movie Review: One of the ultimate Olympic stories. A dying sister, a loving family, and then failing at two Olympic games until finally winning the gold. A true Olympic melodrama. The Mark Spitz of Olympic TV movies.

Breaking the Surface: The Greg Louganis Story (USA, 1997)

Synopsis: Chronicles the life of the five-time world diving champion who triumphs over an unhappy childhood, an abusive lover, the secret of his homosexuality and being HIV- positive to win four gold medals at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics and the 1988 Seoul Olympics.

Starring: Mario Lopez (Saved by the Bell; America's Best Dance Crew)

Movie Rating (Medal Count):

Movie Review: Athletic men in Speedos, what's not to like? Having Mario Lopez as the famed diver doesn't hurt either. Plus, there's that chilling Olympic moment when Louganis hits his head on the diving board.

Nadia (Syndicated, 1984)

Synopsis: Story of Nadia Comaneci, the little Romanian gymnast who captivated the world with her athletic abilities. At age 14, she became the first Olympic gymnast to score a perfect 10, and she walked away with five gold medals, two silver medals and one bronze at the 1976 Montreal Olympics. But, fame came with a high price. As she grew into a young woman, she struggled with isolation, weight gain that threatened her career, and the fear of not being able to exceed increasingly high standards.

Movie Rating (Medal Count):

Movie Review: Great gymnastic maneuvers. Plus, Nadia sure was a darling, but the focus on her dismount into emotional problems tarnishes this otherwise thrilling Olympic story.

Wilma (NBC, 1977)

Synopsis: Fact–based drama about Wilma Rudolph, a rural Tennessee girl who overcame childhood polio and becomes a champion track sprinter with her mother's encouragement and sheer determination. She stunned the world by becoming the first woman to win three gold medals at a single Olympic games at the 1960 Rome Olympics.

Movie Rating (Medal Count):

Movie Review: A typical inspirational sports movie where the athlete overcomes physical adversity and wins the big race. Though with Cicely Tyson playing Wilma's mother, this movie gets out of the starting block fast.

Run For The Dream: Gail Devers Story (Showtime, 1996)

Synopsis: American track star Gail Devers overcomes tremendous physical and spiritual hurdles after being stricken with Grave's disease, a thyroid condition. With the support of her coach and inspired by family and friends, she triumphs in the 100-meter dash at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games -- winning a gold medal.

Movie Rating (Medal Count):

Movie Review:  Another typical inspirational sports movie where the athlete overcomes physical adversity and wins the big race.

The Jesse Owens Story (Syndicated, 1984)

Synopsis: Chronicles the life of James Cleveland Owens who was born the son of black sharecroppers in Alabama in 1913 and became a gold medal track-and-field champion at the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games. But, the internationally acclaimed track star was dogged by racial prejudice, a series of misfortunes and a 1965 conviction on tax-evasion charges. At rock bottom, he picked himself up and started work as a U.S. "goodwill ambassador. In 1976 he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Gerald Ford.

Movie Rating (Medal Count):

Movie Review: You gotta give the guy credit for trumping Hitler's Aryan master race, but unfortunately that's not what the movie is about. It focuses on Jessie's struggles later in life -- his time at the 1936 Olympics is barely mentioned, which is unfortunate given its historical importance..

Going For The Gold: The Bill Johnson Story (CBS, 1985)

Synopsis: The true story of Bill Johnson, the brash Oregon skier who went from being a car thief to the first American ever to win a Gold Medal for downhill racing at the 1984 Sarajevo Winter Olympics.

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Movie Review: Good skiing action with bad boy turned Olympic champion, but not very inspiring since 'Wild Bill' just wasn't very likeable -- he makes Bode Miller seem warm and fuzzy.

On Thin Ice: The Tai Babilonia Story (NBC, 1990)

Synopsis: Pairs figure skating champs Tai Babilonia and Randy Gardner find their dreams of Olympic gold dashed when Randy suffers an injury at the 1980 Lake Placid games and had to withdraw before the competition started. Devastated, Tai turned to drugs and attempted suicide by taking sleeping pills in the Fall of 1988. After receiving treatment, she returned to the ice with Randy in professional skating shows.  

Movie Rating (Medal Count):

Movie Review: The story was more about Babilonia and how she hit rock bottom faster than she hit the ice when Randy dropped her in practice. (At least the movie title was accurate.) Her double axel into depression and drugs was not quite an uplifting Olympic movie. But they did make a cute pair.

Tonya & Nancy: The Inside Story (NBC, 1994)

Synopsis: In 1994, the rivalry between Olympic figure skaters Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan erupts into a worldwide scandal when it is discovered that Harding and her low-life husband, Jeff Gillooly, planned the pipe-wielding attack on Kerrigan's knee at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships. The backgrounds of the street hardened Harding and the over-protected Kerrigan are ultimately revealed. Kerrigan went on to win the Silver Medal at the 1994 Lillehammer Winter Olympics. Tonya Harding placed 8th.
  

Movie Review: Purely ripped-from-the-headline tabloid trash. This movie is not about the dedication of struggling athletes or Olympic triumph, but the life story of over-hyped drama queens.