The Boys In The Boat: A Photo Finish?

The Boys in the Boat is a 2023 biographical sports drama film directed by George Clooney. It is based on the 2013 book by Daniel James Brown, which chronicles the true story of the University of Washington rowing team and their quest for gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. While the film takes some creative liberties with the timeline and certain events, it remains faithful to the inspiring story of the American men's eight rowing team. The film culminates in a thrilling photo finish at the Olympic Games, where the United States team claims gold by just over half a second. However, in reality, the finish was not a photo finish, and the judges had to deliberate for a few minutes to determine the placements of each team.

The film's ending was a photo finish

The film's ending was indeed a photo finish, but not quite in the way it was depicted. The 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin did not feature a photo finish in the traditional sense. Instead, the judges had to deliberate for a few minutes to determine the placements of each team. The race was incredibly close, and though there were photos taken of the finish by spectators, there is no indication that a photo was used to determine the winner. However, the dramatic device of a photo finish was used in the film to heighten the tension and provide a visual conclusion to the race.

The University of Washington rowing team's gold medal win in the men's eight final was a thrilling moment in sports history, made all the more remarkable by the fact that they had come from behind to catch up with Germany and Italy. The American rowers won by just over half a second, an incredibly narrow margin. The judges' decision took approximately five minutes, during which the crowd chanted "Deutschland! Deutschland!" The anticipation and tension of this moment were captured in footage by German propaganda filmmaker Leni Riefenstahl.

The film "The Boys in the Boat" chose to portray the photo finish in a more traditional sense, with the athletes and spectators waiting for a photograph to process and reveal the winner. This creative decision added to the drama and suspense of the climax, providing a satisfying conclusion to the story of the underdog American team's journey to the Olympics and their ultimate victory over Hitler's German team.

The film's ending highlighted the power of the human spirit and the ability to overcome adversity. The University of Washington rowing team, comprised of working-class young men, had faced numerous challenges on their road to the Olympics. Their victory served as a testament to their hard work, determination, and unity as a team. The photo finish, whether literal or dramatized, emphasized the closeness of the race and the triumph of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

The book's story arc was over three years

The story of the University of Washington rowing team's journey to the 1936 Olympics spanned three years, but the film adaptation of "The Boys in the Boat" compresses this timeline into just one year. The book, written by Daniel James Brown, was published in 2013 and chronicles the true story of the rowing team in the years leading up to their Olympic quest.

The film, directed by George Clooney and released in 2023, had to make some changes to the story's timeline to fit the events into a two-hour movie. While the film focuses primarily on the team's training and journey to the 1936 Olympics, the book covers a longer period, including the team's formation and the individual rowers' backgrounds.

In an interview, Brown noted that the compression of the timeline made sense for a feature film, but it did result in the omission of some important details about the main character, Joe Rantz's, harsh upbringing. Rantz's story is a central part of the book, and his struggles and perseverance in the face of adversity are what make the team's ultimate victory so inspiring.

The three-year arc of the book allows for a deeper exploration of the characters and their journeys, which adds depth and context to the team's achievements. It also highlights the hard work, dedication, and resilience of the rowers, who came from diverse backgrounds and overcame various challenges to represent the United States in the Olympics.

By spanning three years, the book is able to provide a more comprehensive and nuanced narrative, giving readers a deeper understanding of the rowers' experiences and the significance of their victory. It showcases the power of perseverance and the strength that comes from unity and teamwork, even in the face of adversity.

The film left out key details of Rantz's childhood

The film "The Boys in the Boat" left out key details of Joe Rantz's childhood, including the fact that he was abandoned by his father and stepmother at a young age. This moment in his life is described by author Daniel James Brown as "a touchstone of his story" and had a significant impact on Rantz, making it difficult for him to trust people.

In the film, Rantz is portrayed as a poor engineering student at the University of Washington, living in an abandoned car and eating canned food. However, the movie does not delve into the details of his childhood struggles. Rantz's mother died from throat cancer when he was four years old, and he was sent to live with his aunt. His father, Harry Rantz, later remarried to a woman named Thula LaFollete, who already had four children of her own.

Rantz's father and stepmother did not treat him well, and he was forced to do chores and odd jobs for his keep. On one rainy day when Rantz was 15 years old, his father, stepmother, and step-siblings packed up the car and left without him, abandoning him during the Great Depression. For two years, Rantz lived in a half-finished cabin in the woods, continuing his education and making money by logging timber, building fences, baling hay, and clearing tree stumps.

Eventually, Rantz moved in with his older brother, Fred, and his wife in Seattle, where he excelled in school and participated in high school sports. It was during this time that he met his future wife, Joyce Simdars. Despite the challenges he faced, Rantz persevered and went on to attend the University of Washington, where he joined the rowing team and became an Olympian.

While the film does touch on some aspects of Rantz's difficult upbringing, it does not include this pivotal moment of abandonment, which shaped his ability to trust others and had a profound impact on his life.

The film misrepresented the rowing team's coach

The 2023 film "The Boys in the Boat" is a biographical sports drama directed by George Clooney, based on the 2013 book by Daniel James Brown. The film recounts the story of the University of Washington rowing team and their journey to compete in the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin. While the movie largely adheres to the book's narrative, there are some notable differences in the portrayal of the rowing team's coach, Al Ulbrickson, played by Joel Edgerton.

One significant deviation from the true story involves the timeline of events. The film compresses the team's journey into a single year, 1936, while in reality, their endeavour spanned three years. This compression may have been a necessary cinematic choice to maintain a concise narrative structure, but it does alter the portrayal of Coach Ulbrickson's strategy and decision-making process.

In the film, Coach Ulbrickson is depicted as taking a risky move by promoting the junior varsity (JV) team over his experienced varsity crew. This decision is a pivotal moment in the movie, creating tension and highlighting the stakes involved. However, in reality, the progression of the JV team's success over the varsity squad unfolded over a more extended period. This extended timeline would have allowed Coach Ulbrickson more time to observe and make strategic decisions, potentially reducing the perceived risk of his choices.

Another misrepresentation in the film pertains to the fundraising efforts for the team's Olympic journey. In the movie, it is depicted that the University of Washington's celebration after winning the top collegiate rowing prize is dampened by the news that the US Olympic Committee couldn't afford to send them to Berlin. This leads to a frantic fundraising drive, and the film portrays a heartwarming moment where the rival Berkeley coach donates $300 to their cause. However, this particular scene is a fictional addition to the story. In reality, while the Berkeley coach did voice his support for the Washington team, he did not contribute financially.

The film also takes some creative liberties with the portrayal of the team's dynamics and Coach Ulbrickson's relationship with them. In the movie, Ulbrickson is shown to be concerned about the pace of his varsity crew and the inexperience of the JV team. He makes the bold decision to bring back the experienced coxswain, Bobby Moch, to lead the JV team. While this addition to the narrative builds suspense, it may not accurately reflect the actual interactions and dynamics within the team.

In conclusion, while "The Boys in the Boat" largely strives to depict the true story of the University of Washington rowing team, there are some instances where the film misrepresents the actions and context surrounding Coach Al Ulbrickson. These discrepancies arise from the need to condense the timeline, add dramatic elements, and create a compelling narrative structure. However, it is important for viewers to be aware of these differences to fully appreciate the true story of the team's journey and the decisions made by their coach.

The film's ending was dramatized for effect

The 2023 biographical sports drama film "The Boys in the Boat" is based on a true story. However, the film's ending was dramatized for effect, with some parts of the story altered to make it more captivating and engaging for viewers.

The film depicts a photo finish to the final race, with the athletes and spectators anxiously waiting for a photograph to reveal the winner. In reality, there was no photo finish, and the judges had to deliberate for a few minutes to determine the placements of each team. While photos were taken by spectators, there is no indication that a photo was used to determine the winner. The dramatization of the photo finish adds suspense and excitement to the film, providing a visually compelling and dramatic conclusion to the story.

The film also compresses the timeline of the events, focusing solely on the year 1936, when everything came together for the University of Washington's rowing team. In reality, the team's journey spanned three years, but the condensed timeline allows the film to maintain a tight narrative structure and pacing.

Another dramatization in the film involves the coach of the University of California, Berkeley team donating money to the University of Washington's team. In reality, while the Berkeley coach did express support for the rival team, he did not donate any money. This fictionalization adds a feel-good moment to the film, showcasing sportsmanship and camaraderie between competitors.

Despite these dramatizations, the film stays true to the inspiring story of the University of Washington men's eight rowing team and their quest for gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. It highlights their struggles, determination, and ultimate victory, capturing the essence of their journey and celebrating their achievements.

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