Salute Review
Salute
Reviewed by David Savage
Starring: Peter Norman, Tommie Smith, John Carlos
Directed by: Matt Norman
Certification: PG
Running Time: 91 minutes (approx.)
Format: DVD
Release Date: 30 July 2012
Salute is a true documentary about 3 Olympic sprinters, Peter Norman, Tommie Smith and John Carlos, and about racism in the US, Australia and around the world. What they did on the podium after the race shocked the world and is an iconic moment in the US civil rights movement. The image of them on the podium is regarded as one of the most powerful images in the world.
Peter Norman, a white Australian, Tommie Smith and John Carlos, African- Americans, ran the fastest 200 metres in the world in the 1968 Mexico Olympic Games but are not remembered for the race itself but for what happened on the podium afterwards. On the podium the 2 Americans each raised a gloved hand in the Black-Power Salute to protest about racism. As Norman stood with them wearing the same human rights badge he was considered to be part of it. All 3 paid a huge price for standing up for their beliefs, the Americans were thrown out of the Olympics, banned for life and sent home by IOC, Peter Norman was never selected for the Olympics again no matter how many times he qualified even to the point that Australia never sent any sprinters to the 1972 games just so they didn’t have to pick him.
Overall, I found this to be a very enjoyable and powerful documentary. How one gesture against racism caused such a storm and ruined the careers of three great athletes all because they stood up for their beliefs. They put what was right before their careers, fame and money. A very interesting film about 3 great athletes and forgotten history. A must see for everybody.
Rating: 5/5 
Buy from Arrow Films here.
Also available from other good DVD retailers.