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Swimming Upstream

  • 2003
  • PG-13
  • 1h 54m
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
3.5K
YOUR RATING
Swimming Upstream (2003)
BiographyDramaSport

The inspirational life story of Australian swimmer Tony Fingleton.The inspirational life story of Australian swimmer Tony Fingleton.The inspirational life story of Australian swimmer Tony Fingleton.

  • Director
    • Russell Mulcahy
  • Writers
    • Anthony Fingleton
    • Diane Fingleton
  • Stars
    • Geoffrey Rush
    • Judy Davis
    • Jesse Spencer
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    7.0/10
    3.5K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Russell Mulcahy
    • Writers
      • Anthony Fingleton
      • Diane Fingleton
    • Stars
      • Geoffrey Rush
      • Judy Davis
      • Jesse Spencer
    • 36User reviews
    • 29Critic reviews
    • 58Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 4 wins & 15 nominations

    Photos25

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    Top cast62

    Edit
    Geoffrey Rush
    Geoffrey Rush
    • Harold Fingleton
    Judy Davis
    Judy Davis
    • Dora Fingleton
    Jesse Spencer
    Jesse Spencer
    • Tony Fingleton
    Tim Draxl
    Tim Draxl
    • John Fingleton
    Deborah Kennedy
    Deborah Kennedy
    • Billie
    David Hoflin
    David Hoflin
    • Harold Fingleton Jr.
    Craig Horner
    Craig Horner
    • Ronald Fingleton
    Brittany Byrnes
    • Diane Fingleton
    Mitchell Dellevergin
    • Young Tony
    Thomas Davidson
    • Young John
    Kain O'Keeffe
    Kain O'Keeffe
    • Young Harold Jr.
    Robert Quinn
    • Young Ronald
    Keeara Byrnes
    • Young Diane
    Mark Hembrow
    Mark Hembrow
    • Tommy
    Simon Burvill-Holmes
    • Brother Campbell
    Bob Newman
    • Panno
    Andrew Nason
    • Burly Labourer
    Barrie Young
    • Pub Patron
    • Director
      • Russell Mulcahy
    • Writers
      • Anthony Fingleton
      • Diane Fingleton
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      In the movie, Tony competes in the 100-meter backstroke, winning a silver medal at the Empire Games in 1962. In 1962, the Empire Games swimming events were measured in yards, and Tony won silver behind another Australian in the 220-yard event. When he is later told that "your event was today" in reference to the 1964 Olympics, it refers to the 200-meter backstroke - the 100 wasn't contested in Tokyo.
    • Quotes

      Tony Fingleton: [narrating] It's funny how the stumbling blocks of life can help make us better people. I never had the support of my father, but in the end that's what gave me the strength to seek something more than I could've ever imagined. Something in another world.

    • Alternate versions
      The United States release has several scenes cut or shortened compared to the Australian release. These have been included in the extras on the DVD's. The ending of the US version is very different from the Australian version. The Australian version has Tony's dad appearing at the pool in the end scene, whereas the US version it is his coach.
    • Connections
      Featured in Swimming Upstream: The Making of a Champion (2005)
    • Soundtracks
      Adagio for Strings
      Written by Samuel Barber

    User reviews36

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    8/10

    A fine opening night film!

    Just saw this film on its USA premiere at the Stony Brook Film Festival opening night. A packed house and an excellent Q+A session made this moving film a perfect choice to start the festival.

    As previously stated, the casting was perfect with the distressed family members being portrayed in believable and engrossing ways. Both Rush and Davis deliver wonderful portrayals. According to the author, who was on hand for the opening, Geoffrey Rush did an eerily accurate job in his role as Tony Fingleton's father.

    All in all, an excellent film that should be distributed more widely than it currently is.
    • agentk
    • Jul 20, 2004
    • Permalink

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    FAQ19

    • How long is Swimming Upstream?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 27, 2003 (Australia)
    • Countries of origin
      • Australia
      • United States
    • Official site
      • MGM (United States)
    • Languages
      • English
      • Latin
    • Also known as
      • 泳往直前
    • Filming locations
      • Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
    • Production companies
      • Crusader Entertainment
      • Pacific Film and Television Commission
      • Baldwin Entertainment Group
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $54,965
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $24,520
      • Feb 6, 2005
    • Gross worldwide
      • $791,154
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 54 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • DTS
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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