The story behind the bestselling book The Boys in the Boat will be featured in a PBS “American Experience” documentary next week.
The Boys of ‘36 documentary blends modern-day video with video archives, chronicling the true story of eight University of Washington rowers who won gold medals in 1936 during “Hitler’s Olympics.”
“[They won] right in front of Hitler, with Hitler watching on,” said author Daniel James Brown, who wrote the best-selling book. “That’s one of the reasons why the story affected me the first time I heard it.”
“Joe Rantz, who’s the main character in the story, is my dad,” said Judy Willman Friday in her Redmond home. “They are considered almost hillbillies, hicks, loggers, farmers, working in a sport that is considered an elite sport.”
Brown addressed the possibility of a feature film Friday as well. He sold the movie rights to the Weinstein Company, but so far, a movie has not materialized.
The Boys of '36 will debut on PBS Tue. Aug. 2 at 9 p.m.
