Quick review of “Salute”
What starts as a fascinating examination of the controversy surrounding the medal ceremony for the 200 meters sprint at the 1968 Olympics, ends up more of a salute to Australian runner Peter Norman, the silver medallist and the white man who became caught up in the divisive politics of race relations in the USA. The film is written and directed by Norman’s nephew Matt and unearths some little known background to the moment that resulted in one of the world’s most iconic photographs – that of Tommy Smith and John Carlos raising their gloved fists in silent protest at the discrimination that still plagued American society. 
But rather than follow up in detail on the incredible story of what happened to the athletes after the ceremony, Matt Norman glosses over events in favour of a focus on his uncle and “best friend”, including some poor quality video and audio recordings. Nevertheless it’s an extraordinary documentary covering a complex period of social history, and will almost certainly succeed in repositioning Peter Norman’s status in the world of track and field as a man of the highest integrity and yet to be surpassed ability.
Rating:
Simon, that was a weak review. This film is one of the greatest doco’s if not the greatest doco ever made in this country. The fact that Matt Norman did the film justice even though he had absolutely no support and lost his uncle to a heart attack and then lost his family home getting tommie smith and John Carlos over to Australia for his funeral shows that we should judge the film as an awesome film and not concern ourselves with the very small oversights. It’s a documentary not a 50Million dollar blockbuster. 10/10 for this incredible aussie gem.
on July 26th, 2008 at 8:27 pm |This is really a pretty good review, as most reviews of “Salute” have been.
on September 10th, 2008 at 8:23 pm |I’ve been surprised to see how many “Salute” lovers have been so easily upset with some fairly minor criticism. It’s mostly good.
It would be impossible to please everyone.
Personally, I think “Salute” would have been much better as a half hour TV documentary, but that’s just my opinion.
I don’t think it’s cinema material, but again, that’s just my opinion.
Obviously many of you disagree and that’s fine with me. Please don’t write and call me names, I really do think Salute isn’t bad, it’s just not beyond criticism.
I wouldn’t quite call it is the greatest doco ever made in this country.