The movie Prefontaine, directed by Steve James and released in 1997, depicts the rise of Steve Prefontaine as a track star, his struggles with authority figures, and his tragic death at the age of 24. The film stars Jared Leto in the titular role, and also features R. Lee Ermey, Ed O'Neill, and Breckin Meyer.
The story follows Prefontaine's journey from a small-town Oregon kid with a talent for running to a record-breaking athlete on the international stage. Along the way, he clashes with his coach (O'Neill) and the officials who govern the sport, advocating for the rights of athletes and refusing to conform to their standards. He also finds love with a fellow student (Amy Locane) and becomes a hero to the people of Eugene, Oregon, where he trains and competes.
The movie culminates in the tragic car accident that took Prefontaine's life in 1975, just before he had the chance to compete in the Montreal Olympics. The final scenes feature real-life footage of the memorial service held in his honor, where his friend and fellow runner Frank Shorter delivers a passionate eulogy.
Prefontaine was the first of two films about the athlete released in 1997, the other being Without Limits, directed by Robert Towne. Both movies were made with the cooperation of Prefontaine's family and friends, and sparked renewed interest in his legacy as a running rebel who inspired a generation of athletes.