Paavo Nurmi - The man and his times

Although the central figure in this documentary is the world-famous runner Paavo Nurmi, the central theme has to do with the Finnish national identity.Peter von Bagh and Markku Koski have looked upon Nurmi as a symbol of his times. Indeed, Nurmi was more than a champion athlete; he preferred to be remembered as a good citizen and hard worker. He served as an example for Finns during trying times.There is no commentary to the film, which is composed of footage from older documentary material, but the following chronology should show the similarities in Nurmi’s career and Finland’s own race with time:1917-28: Finland emerges as an independent nation and Nurmi as perhaps the greatest athlete of his time.1929-39: Nurmi’s methodic approach becomes a model for a nation struggling with the Depression.1939-44: War.1944-52: Finland strives to recover from defeat. The 1952 Helsinki Olympics are meant to prove that the Finns are not down long. Nurmi relights the Olympic flame.