I love that movie as well.
From what I have read, historically the American athlete and British athlete actually spoke with each other about the crucial decision at the end of the movie. But the film obviously hired British actors to play the Americans, and they never spoke! So in the film, the communication had to come in the form of a written note.
Another interesting note: when the film was completed and reviewed by the MPAA, it was given a G rating. The director was furious, fearing that would ruin the financial prospects for the movie. But the board told him: there is no sex, no violence, no offensive language -- what would be objectionable about a child watching it?
So, the director reshot one scene, in which an actor inserted the word 'damn." That rescued the movie from being rated G. 😄
Of course, a child would probably be bored to tears by the movie. I think there ought to be a new rating: GT. "For general audiences -- but there's an awful lot of talking!"
