U-M's Ferry Field Featured in New Jesse Owens Movie "Race"
The new Jesse Owens biopic "Race" is out today, and while I haven't seen it yet (I'm going tomorrow), it does look like U-M's Ferry Field is featured prominently. As you recall, Owens set four world records in the space of 45 minutes at Ferry Field in May of 1935. And for this, there's a well-deserved plaque in his honor - a plaque honoring a Buckeye on Wolverine soil. From the reviews I've seen, this event in Ann Arbor is a major part of the film.
The relationship between Owens and Michigan's Willis Ward is a fascinating one, but I'm guessing Willis doesn't make an appearance in "Race." They also probably omit the fact that in five races between the two of them, Willis Ward beat him twice. Yes, the Michigan man was every bit as fast as Jesse Owens.
The film opens today, so if any MGoBloggers have already seen it, please post your reviews.
From the trailer, it looks like they did a CGI recreation of Ferry Field that looks pretty damn accurate. Here's the trailer, and at the 32-second mark, you can see him at Ferry Field, with the IM Building in the background.
February 19th, 2016 at 10:43 AM ^
February 19th, 2016 at 10:54 AM ^
Although I wouldn't call it "brand new" (it was 11 years old at the time). Also, that wide shot has taken out the baseball stadium--what is now called Ray Fisher Stadium existed in 1935.
Everything else seems about right, even the shadow angles, except shouldn't the parking lot be full? I see about 50 cars and 20,000 fans.
February 19th, 2016 at 11:03 AM ^
Because the buildings don't exactly look like that now. But damn, if that's CGI, they did some pretty good historical research on how our field looked in 1935.
February 19th, 2016 at 10:43 AM ^
is that it's getting paved over to be a parking lot.
February 19th, 2016 at 10:45 AM ^
'Murica.
February 19th, 2016 at 11:32 AM ^
Do they still have the Owens memorial there or did they pave over that too?
Smh.
February 19th, 2016 at 1:31 PM ^
February 19th, 2016 at 11:02 AM ^
February 19th, 2016 at 1:13 PM ^
Baby steps.
February 19th, 2016 at 11:16 AM ^
February 19th, 2016 at 11:40 AM ^
Cool. How were the Michigan/Ferry Field scenes?
February 19th, 2016 at 12:26 PM ^
February 19th, 2016 at 12:48 PM ^
Thanks for the heads up on the MI shots. Just read the NYT review and it was good by their tough standards. Looking forward to seeing the movie.
Good OP
February 19th, 2016 at 1:34 PM ^
Jesse Owens-- one of two buckeyes worth a fuck.
February 19th, 2016 at 1:40 PM ^
February 19th, 2016 at 1:54 PM ^
Wow! The title "Race" is aptly named.
February 20th, 2016 at 12:05 AM ^
day at FerryField. Canham made it a big deal and Owens was truly honored. ONe of my great memories of Michigan. As a high schooler who ran in the State Championships and a letterman on the track team, I will always remember that track no matter how much concrete they poor over it. When I first saw it, the old football stands on the south side were still standing, though they were crumbling.
February 19th, 2016 at 2:50 PM ^
Embed for the board....
Kind of weird to see Jason Sudeikis in a dramatic role, but I will probably go see this.
February 21st, 2016 at 12:14 AM ^