Cinema: Triumph at Rome

The Grand Olympics is a blood-and-guts thriller of more heroic cast. Filmed by 22 Italian cameramen under the direction of Romolo Marcellini, this color documentary dazzlingly synthesizes the glory that was Rome's during the summer Olympiad of 1960. The film begins with a helicoptic view, swooping over the dome of St. Peter's, then briefly darts away to Greece to catch the sun's rays igniting the traditional torch through a burning glass at Olympia. Soon some 5,000 athletes from 85 nations parade through Rome to the vast Stadio Olimpico. The flame arrives, the Olympic...

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