movie review of The World’s Greatest Athlete, starring John Amos, Jan Michael-Vincent, Tim Conway | clown ministry | Reviews

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the original disney film classic - he brings the jungle to the gym - Walt Disney Pictures presents The World's Greatest Athlete - John Amos, Tim Conway, Jan Michael-Vincent
The World’s Greatest Athlete was one of the last of an era of Walt Disney films. The basic premise is that losing Coach Archer (John Amos) and his inept assistant Milo (Tim Conway) are about to be fired - and so they run away to the continent of Africa, where they find the World’s Greatest Athlete of the title, Nanu (Jan Michael-Vincent), whom they whisk back to America, where he turns the failing athletic program of the college into a success. However, Nanu’s witch doctor godfather (played wonderfully by Roscoe Lee Browne) is unsure of Coach Archer’s intentions and follows to rescue Nanu, leading to a wonderfully hilarious scene where Tim Conway is shrunken down to one inch tall, and trying to warn Archer and Nanu.
It’s a very funny film, with the requisite romance between Nanu and the girl he meets and faills in love with—Jane. I truly love the ending, when Coach Archer and Milo take another trip—to China.

Editorial Review of The World’s Greatest Athlete starring John Amos, Jan Michael-Vincent and Tim Conway, courtesy of Amazon.com

This enjoyable comedy is one of the last Disney live-action films that feels akin to their earlier, innocent films. Jan-Michael Vincent plays the title character Nanu, a parentless child brought up in Africa with unbelievable physical skills (check out his introduction, running faster than a cheetah, played in front of pure-’70s rear-screen projection). John Amos and Tim Conway play a hapless college coaching duo whose fortunes change once they spot Nanu. After a run-in with a smart witch doctor (Roscoe Lee Browne), the two bring Nanu--and his pet tiger--to America, where Nanu finds Jane (Dayle Haddon) and starts to rewrite the record book. The film doesn’t age that well, but the little ones will laugh at the shenanigans, especially when Conway is miniaturized by the doctor. Several sportscasters appear as themselves including Howard Cosell, who musters up the line, “I’ve never seen anything like this in my entire illustrious career.” --Doug Thomas

Product Description of The World’s Greatest Athlete starring John Amos, Jan Michael-Vincent, Tim Conway

Get on track with Disney’s hilarious offbeat comedy starring Jan-Michael Vincent (TV’s AIRWOLF) and Tim Conway—now on Disney DVD. Coach Archer (John Amos) is more famous for losing than winning, but a fateful African safari with his wacky assistant (Conway) leads them to a boy wonder named Nanu (Vincent)—who just might give them a winning streak. Coaxing him to America is one thing, but the laughs never stop when Nanu meets Jane, fame, and brings the jungle to the gym on his way to becoming the World’s Greatest Athlete. Don’t miss a chance to take the field with wild family fun for everyone!