Animal Olympians
(1980)
Animal Olympians examines the extraordinary athletic prowess of the animal kingdom, comparing and contrasting the beauty, endurance and sheer power of a variety of creatures with that of human sportsmen.
Widely acclaimed for its entertaining and fun format, human Olympic events are inter-cut with vibrant footage of parallel feats in the animal world. Action replays intensify the action, with cheetahs outstripping the fastest human sprinters, and even the speediest swimmers proving no match for seals. The most graceful gymnasts, the finest boxers, the highest jumpers, all manner of athletes previously unsurpassed in their sport are evaluated against, and pale alongside, their animal equivalents.
Examining numerous sporting analogies, this diverting and enjoyable special from renowned producer Jeffery Boswall also explores animal behaviours that have no comparison in the world of sport. Aptly named Jesus Christ lizards walk on water while sperm whales hold their breath for an astonishing 82 minutes.
