Race to the bottom: Sports films typically centre on a loveable underdog beating the odds. The hero in 1969's Downhill Racer is more like disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong - all ambition and no soul.

The article discusses the 1969 film "Downhill Racer" and its unique portrayal of a sports hero. Unlike typical sports films that focus on sentimental underdog stories, "Downhill Racer" presents a protagonist, David Chappellet, who is ambitious but lacks soul. The film explores the emotional and intellectual sacrifices made by elite athletes and highlights the callousness that can exist outside of physical grace. The article draws parallels between Chappellet and disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong, both driven by ambition and lacking in empathy. Despite its critical acclaim, "Downhill Racer" was overshadowed by another film starring Robert Redford, "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid." [Extracted from the article]