A Brother's Promise: The Dan Jansen Story (TV Movie 1996) Poster

User Reviews

Review this title
8 Reviews
Sort by:
Filter by Rating:
Matt Keeslar can barely stand up on a pair of speed skates...
paulb479 May 2003
Given the technician that Jansen was on the ice they could have at least gotten a real speedskater and done long shots. Other than that the acting was fair to middlin and the story sentimental to maudlin.

I happen to think there is a real and interesting story in the true life of Dan Jansen.
4 out of 11 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
1/10
Peice Of Trash
Adolfo_Acosta30 December 2001
All I can say is... what a peice of trash. THe only reason I continued watching was because it fascinated me that something THIS bad could have possibly been produced! MY GOD!! THIS IS REALLY REALLY BAD! All I have to say is, is that if Dan Jansen's story as told by this movie is 100% accurate, then he has an extremely unhealthy sexual obsession over his dead sister. Seriously. They made him out to be really creepy. REALLY BAD!!
3 out of 11 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
1/10
Congratulations Bill Corcoran, you have made the worst sports movie ever!
Wennemars23 August 2003
Don't get me wrong, Dan Jansen was a great speed skater. If there was one guy who deserved his gold medal at the Olympics it was Dan.

But how can it be possible that Bill Corcoran has made such a bad movie about the incredible Dan Jansen story, because the real Dan Jansen story is truly incredible! Especially when you look at this movie through the eyes of a sportsman everything is wrong, the way Matt Keeslar and the other actors skate, their technique, the dimensions of the speedskating oval, it is all wrong!

Shame on you, Bill Corcoran, Dan Jansen deserves better, a lot better!

1 out of 10
3 out of 11 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
7/10
A wonderful tribute to love and family.
artshowslife5 February 2006
Warning: Spoilers
A Brother's Promise is a wonderful family film. This is a biography of Dan Jansen, a champion Olympic speed skater. The movie depicts this athlete's life from a young age through full adulthood. The love and support of the family members is evident throughout. How Dan and the rest of his family handle winning and losing races is a life lesson for all of us. The commitment and determination of Dan's coach and his teammates, shows what it takes to make a real team. How Dan and his family deal with a devastating illness of a loved one is depicted without undo sentiment or sugarcoating. The faith of the family is shown in basic terms and is obviously a major part of their lives. This is a powerful family film which can be meaningful for a person of any age.
4 out of 7 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
1/10
good lord is this awful
El Lobo4 September 2000
Before I get into this. Dan Jansen's story really is amazing and quite sad. However, this movie DOES NOT do him justice. This movie, from beginning to end is GOD AWFUL. The story jumps too much, the acting is mediocre, and the writing is terrible. It's a good thing this was a TV movie, or I would have been upset if I paid any money to see it. Honestly, the way it was written, you'd think that Dan had an unhealthy sexual obsession with his sister. Oy. Don't waste your time.
2 out of 9 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
10/10
Touching story of sadness and triumph
young_scribe-127 June 2007
I had read an article about Dan Jansen's Olympic and personal journey before seeing this movie. I'm always intrigued by a story of hope and overcoming life altering events, and this was no exception.

The background of the characters that is provided gives you a sense of the family's closeness and how they positively affected each others' lives. I can't speak to the accuracy of specific details in this movie, it is customary to take some creative license when organizing a script. However, the spirit of Dan and his family is what matters here.

Its a worthwhile movie of a story that should be told. I felt empathy for the characters and cheered at the end.
3 out of 5 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
9/10
Sensitive Portrayal of Coping with the Death of a Loved One
FinstadPM23 August 2005
Beautiful story of Wisconsin native, Dan Jansen, and his real life, agonizing struggle to win the 1994 Olympic Gold Medal in Speed Skating, despite his overwhelming emotional loss with the death of his much loved Best Friend and Family Member; his Sister, Jane.

This story's main focus is to sensitively portray the real life emotional turmoil of grief, that one feels in loosing a special Loved One, and the struggle to productively cope and rise above the great loss! It is the incredible story of Dan Jansen's heartbreak in loosing his beloved Sister to Leukemia, his struggle to cope with the intensity of his grief, while still maintaining his Dream to win at the Olympics, and his ultimate triumph in winning the Gold Medal in Speed Skating for America, and in honor of his Sister's memory; thereby fulfilling his childhood promise to Jane!

After Dan Jansen's remarkable Gold Medal performance in the Winter Olympic in Lillihamer, Norway, he established a Foundation in 1994 to help fight Leukemia, which claimed the life of his Sister, and to support youth sports programs, educational and scholarship awards. His Dan Jansen Foundation promotes the philosophy that: "as his Father always told him at a young age: 'there is more to life than skating around in circles!' Maintaining a proper perspective is key! So, too, is setting goals, and realizing one's Dreams through perseverence, overcoming adversity and never giving up!"

Recommended for anyone who has ever suffered the great loss of someone very special, and dearly loved within your life! And, for anyone who still believes in the Achievement of Dreams, and Never Giving Up!
4 out of 8 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Excellent Movie
ruthbluebui29 August 2009
A really great movie and true story. Dan Jansen the Greatest skater ever. A touching and beautiful movie the whole family can enjoy. The story of Jane Jansens battle with cancer and Dan Jansen love for his sister. Of a important promise made by Jansen to win a gold medal to prove his sister Jane was right to believe in his talent in speed skating was justified. This picture is well worth the time. I wish they would make more films of this quality. Thank you for a great film with excellent actors and an excellent story. It is a very touching story about a beautiful family support and faith for their children and a special dream for their youngest son and his sister.
2 out of 4 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

See also

Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews


Recently Viewed