Jesse Owens' legendary performance at the 1936 Summer Olympics has not been recounted quite like this.
"Triumph: Jesse Owens and the Berlin Olympics" – which premieres Wednesday night on History – portrays the complete story before, during and after Owens won four gold medals in front of Adolf Hitler in the shadow of Nazi Germany before World War II.
Owens' legacy, however, is not that simple. That is explored in exemplary detail by director Andre Gaines in the documentary from executive producers LeBron James and Maverick Carter. It is a fast-paced, comprehensive documentary that covers all the angles to Owens' life.
Owens' daughters – Marlene Owens' Rankin and Beverly Owens Prather – are among those who offer insights throughout "Triumph."
"I really liked the documentary," Marlene told Sporting News. "They did such an excellent job of showing the times, and his issues with this country and going over there, although he didn't experience the same thing when he got there."
Jesse Owens battles with racism ahead of 1936 Olympics
There, of course, is Berlin. That struggle – the conflict Owens faced with racial discrimination in the United States before the Olympics – is the core of the documentary. There, there is pressure of being a world-record sprinter ahead of the 1936 Olympics in Berlin – an event where Hitler wanted to showcase Aryan supremacy and ideology through sports.
"The stakes are huge for Jesse Owens," ESPN's Jeremy Schaap says in the documentary. "He's living in 1930s America, where he is a second-class citizen, but if he can shine in Berlin, no one can take that away from him."
"Triumph" explores more than Owens on the track, however. Marlene and Beverly shared intimate details about Owens' childhood in Oakville, Ala., the move to Ohio and the constant importance of family. Owens' life changed forever when he met Charles Riley, who would be his first track coach.
"I think it shows how his life started out and which direction he chose to go into with the help of Coach Riley," Beverly said. "If they had stayed where they were, then none of this would have happened."
Jesse Owens triumphs in 1936 Olympics against Adolf Hitler
The buildup toward the 1936 Olympics – including how Owens' stardom rose after he set four world records in the Big Ten championship meet in Ann Arbor, Mich., on May 25, 1935 – juxtaposed against the rise of Nazi Germany under Hitler – is the most-captivating part of "Triumph."
As the documentary states, "The lines were drawn like they had never been drawn before or since." It brings this competition to life, and it feels like watching a championship game all over again.
Yet that struggle continued. Marlene remembers her father being surprised the Olympic Village was integrated in Berlin.
"He did not experience it the same way he experienced the discrimination in this country until he had to come face to face with winning and how that was managed by Hitler," Marlene said.
"Triumph" details the controversies that popped up each time Owens won an event in Berlin. Owens dealt with snubs from Hitler and outrage after Jewish-American sprinters Marty Glickman and Sam Stoller were removed from the 400 relay. Yet Owens still formed a friendship with German long jumper Luz Long. All of those experiences are the heart of "Triumph."
Owens' life after Berlin also is chronicled, from an Olympic career that was cut short by World War II. He was still discriminated against despite being a national celebrity. Owens' place in the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s – especially when there was talk of a boycott before the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City - also is explored. Owens was criticized at times for not taking on a more active role in that movement.
Yet he never strayed from his family. Marlene and Beverly said Owens never talked about the 1936 Olympics much, but he would answer a question when asked.
"I think because of daddy's shyness he just accepted it for what it was," Beverly said. "It was not like, 'Oh my God, look at what I have done.' It was something that I wanted to do and I did."
"Triumph" ties that story together in a way that leaves the viewer appreciative – even awestruck – at what Owens accomplished in Berlin and beyond. It is an enjoyable experience worth watching to prepare for the 2024 Summer Olympic experience.
"In spite of it all, and he faced much adversity, that inner strength, his belief in God and belief in this country and his love of family brought him to a level of admiration and regard pretty much on an international level," Marlene said.
"It's such a complete turnaround for him," Beverly added. "It's so wonderful now to be able to talk about it now and see the differences that can be made."
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How to watch 'Triumph: Jesse Owens and the Berlin Olympics'
"Triumph: Jesse Owens and the Berlin Olympics" debuts on History at 9 p.m. ET on Wednesday. Viewers can stream the documentary on Thursday.
The documentary was produced by LeBron James and Maverick Carter through their platform "Uninterrupted." The documentary is narrated by Don Cheadle and features interviews with Owens' daughters Marlene and Beverly, Olympic sprinter Carl Lewis and ESPN's Jeremy Schaap and author William C. Rhoden.
