100 Years of Olympic Films: The Criterion Collection DVD

100 Years of Olympic Films from The Criterion Collection gathers 53 films spanning 41 editions of the Olympic Games, from 1912 to 2012. The 43-disc DVD set is a substantial historical and cinematic archive, with a listed runtime of more than 104 hours and a 216-page hardcover book described in the product details.

At a glance

The collection is described as containing 53 films from 41 Summer and Winter Olympic editions, covering 1912–2012.
Includes landmark works such as Olympia, Tokyo Olympiad, and Visions of Eight. The listing identifies restorations of these titles as 4K restorations, while the package itself is DVD.
A 216-page hardcover book with film notes by cinema historian Peter Cowie is listed as part of the collection.
New scores are listed for the silent films, composed by Maud Nelissen, Donald Sosin, and Frido ter Beek.

Price

$199.98Save 50%

Reference price: ~~$399.95~~

Price checked: Nov 12, 2026

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Pros and cons

Pros

Wide historical scope brings together films from Olympic Games across a century and multiple countries.
The long runtime and 43 discs suit viewers who want an extensive archival collection rather than a short overview.
The listed book and newly composed silent-film scores add context and presentation beyond the films themselves.

Cons

The 43-disc format and more than 104-hour runtime require substantial viewing time and storage space.
This is a DVD release, so the listed 4K restorations do not mean the discs provide 4K playback.

Technical specifications

9 specifications

Disc and playback details
Format	NTSC, Widescreen
Number of discs	43
Runtime	104 hours and 13 minutes
Studio	Criterion Collection
Release date	December 5, 2017

Languages
Dubbed languages	Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Russian, Spanish, Swedish
Subtitles	English

Dimensions and installation
Dimensions listed	0.7 x 7.5 x 5.4 inches; 4 ounces

Identification
Model	CC2812DDVD DVD

What to know before buying

The product is a DVD set in NTSC widescreen format. The mention of 4K restorations applies to restorations of selected films, not the disc playback resolution. English subtitles are listed, with several dubbed-language options.

Who is it for?

A good fit for

Olympic and sports-history enthusiasts looking for extensive archival coverage.
Film collectors interested in the work of directors including Leni Riefenstahl, Kon Ichikawa, Claude Lelouch, and Bud Greenspan.
Viewers who value a substantial physical archive with an accompanying book.

Less suited to

Buyers seeking a short, casual introduction to Olympic history rather than a very large collection.
Viewers who specifically need 4K disc playback.

100 Years of Olympic Films: The Criterion Collection DVD · photo 2 — Additional product photo 2

Customer reviews on Amazon

4.3 / 5 · 80 ratings

5 stars69%69%
4 stars16%16%
3 stars5%5%
2 stars4%4%
1 star6%6%

Customer feedback describes the collection as impressive and worthwhile, with positive mentions of visual quality, the artistry of its sports filmmaking, and the charm of the early films. That appreciation fits a set built around archival films across many Olympic eras, though the 43-disc, 104-hour-plus scope makes it best suited to viewers prepared for an extensive collection. The ratings are mostly high, but the distribution also includes lower-star responses, so experiences are not uniformly positive.

Positive themes

Customers praise the breadth and perceived quality of the collection.
Feedback appreciates the films' visual techniques and artistic treatment of sporting events.
Some customers particularly enjoy the charm of the early films.