Swimming Upstream

2003
PG
1h 54m

IMDb RATING

7.0/10

3.5K

YOUR RATING

Biography Drama Sport

The inspirational life story of Australian swimmer Tony Fingleton.The inspirational life story of Australian swimmer Tony Fingleton.The inspirational life story of Australian swimmer Tony Fingleton.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.0/10

3.5K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 4 wins & 15 nominations total

Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
In the movie, Tony competes in the 100-meter backstroke, winning a silver medal at the Empire Games in 1962. In 1962, the Empire Games swimming events were measured in yards, and Tony won silver behind another Australian in the 220-yard event. When he is later told that "your event was today" in reference to the 1964 Olympics, it refers to the 200-meter backstroke - the 100 wasn't contested in Tokyo.

Quotes
Tony Fingleton:[narrating]It's funny how the stumbling blocks of life can help make us better people. I never had the support of my father, but in the end that's what gave me the strength to seek something more than I could've ever imagined. Something in another world.

Alternate versions
The United States release has several scenes cut or shortened compared to the Australian release. These have been included in the extras on the DVD's. The ending of the US version is very different from the Australian version. The Australian version has Tony's dad appearing at the pool in the end scene, whereas the US version it is his coach.

Connections
Featured inSwimming Upstream: The Making of a Champion(2005)

Soundtracks
Adagio for Strings
Written bySamuel Barber

I grew up in Sydney during the 1950's and although my childhood was good it wasn't the "good old days" people like to reminisce about.

This film captures the Australia of the 1950's perfectly.

An insular nation still coming to grips with who it was and where it was going.

As a child I saw men traumatised by the war or the depression; unable to express their feelings and as trapped in their roles as were the women.

Rush and Davies were superb as were the actors who played the children.

What a pity Tony had to escape to the USA. Has anything really changed?

A great little Australian Movie