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Parents' Guide to

16 Days of Glory

By Polly Conway, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 9+

Epic docu celebrates athletes, majesty of 1984 Olympics.

Movie G 1986 284 minutes
16 Days of Glory Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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What's the Story?

16 Days of Glory is a documentary about the 1984 Olympic Games, which took place in Los Angeles, California. From the opening ceremonies, where 2500 doves are released, to nearly every event, including gymnastics, swimming, and even sumo wrestling, it's a detailed highlight reel of the event. There are some interviews with athletes, but it's heaviest on footage of each sport and the general majesty of the Olympics and their long history.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

The narration is dry as a bone, and the length may be off-putting to those with short attention spans, but this expansive documentary is hailed as a classic for a reason. Directed by the titan of sports documentaries, Bud Greenspan, it spares nothing in its attempt to capture the full experience of these 1984 Games, notable for American athletes like Mary Lou Retton and Greg Louganis, but also spending time with sumo wrestlers, runners, and volleyball players. Yeah, it's a little boring by today's standards, but it's a must for Olympic lovers who love all the little details.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the Olympic Games. Why do people work so hard to be a part of them?

  • It takes courage and perseverance to train as an athlete. Why do you think these are important character strengths?

Movie Details

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