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critics consensus

This drama about American track star and hero Steve Prefontaine intelligently looks at the character of this oft mythologized athlete and features a fantastic performance by Donald Sutherland as Prefontaine's trainer. Read critic reviews

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Movie Info

Before Steve Prefontaine (Billy Crudup) makes it to the 1972 Olympics in Munich, he is an unlikely track star at the University of Oregon. At school, after Steve initially clashes with coach Bill Bowerman (Donald Sutherland) over his style of front-running -- running the race at maximum speed from beginning to end -- he develops a strong bond with the man. Steve also has a profound effect on a beautiful co-ed named Mary (Monica Potter), who becomes the object of his affection.
  • Rating:
    PG-13
  • Genre:
    biography
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Robert Towne
  • Producer:
    Tom Cruise, Paula Wagner
  • Writer:
    Robert Towne, Kenny Moore
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     limited
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $777.4K
  • Runtime:
  • Production Co:
    Cruise-Wagner Productions
  • Sound Mix:
    Surround, DTS, SDDS, Dolby Digital

Cast & Crew

Billy Crudup
Steve Prefontaine
Donald Sutherland
Bill Bowerman
Monica Potter
Mary Marckx
Jeremy Sisto
Frank Shorter
Matthew Lillard
Roscoe Devine
Billy Burke
Kenny Moore
Dean Norris
Bill Dellinger
Gabriel Olds
Don Kardong
Judith Ivey
Barbara Bowerman
Robert Towne
Director
Robert Towne
Writer
Kenny Moore
Writer
Tom Cruise
Producer
Kenny Moore
Executive Producer
Jonathan Sanger
Executive Producer
Paula Wagner
Producer
Randy Miller
Original Music
Conrad L. Hall
Cinematographer
Charles Ireland
Film Editor
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Critic Reviews for Without Limits

All Critics (39) | Top Critics (18) | Fresh (31) | Rotten (8)

  • Quote not available.

    September 7, 2011 | Rating: A- | Full Review…

    Owen Gleiberman

    Entertainment Weekly

  • Whether he would have won at the next Olympics, we'll never know. What we do know is that Towne, a man of ruefully romantic temperament, has found a soulmate in Steve Prefontaine.

    August 5, 2008 | Full Review…

    Richard Schickel

    TIME Magazine

  • With a very good part for a change, Sutherland invests the imposing Bowerman with a host of subtly expressed attitudes toward his most illustrious charge.

    August 5, 2008

    Todd McCarthy

    Variety

  • he understated cinematography by Conrad Hall and sterling work from Crudup and Sutherland lend a patina of class, yet it's in the end a po-faced film.

    January 26, 2006 | Full Review…
    Time Out

  • Without Limits wins as a sports film precisely because it's not really about sports or a great victory.

    July 21, 2005

    Louis B. Parks

    Houston Chronicle

  • Without Limits is an admirable departure from the norm, but its greatest strength doubles as an undermining weakness.

    July 12, 2002 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

    Rick Groen

    Globe and Mail
View All Critic Reviews (39)

Audience Reviews for Without Limits

  • Jun 16, 2011
    Without Limits is an average sports biopic that features strong performances from Billy Crudup and Donald Sutherland. Not as powerful or captivating as it should have been, but the performances from the leads hold it up. Donald Sutherland is an under appreciated actor in my book. He is one of my favorites and never ceases to amaze me with his performances. It was also cool to see Matthew Lillard in a small role. He too is very under appreciated, although he may have brought some of that upon himself with the Scooby-Doo movies.
    Melvin W Super Reviewer
  • Jan 16, 2008
    So that's how Nike shoes got started!
    Ida K Super Reviewer
  • Apr 21, 2007
    Excellent performances from both Donald Sutherland and Billy Crudup. Good movie...
    Moe E Super Reviewer
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