The World's Greatest Athlete (1973)

40% of users liked it
(1,246 ratings)

One of the best of the early-1970s Disney farces, The World's Greatest Athlete stars Jan-Michael Vincent in the title role. A "wild boy" living off the land in the jungles of Africa, Vincent is discovered by coaches Tim Conway and John Amos. Cursed with a last-place college athletic lineup, Conway… More One of the best of the early-1970s Disney farces, The World's Greatest Athlete stars Jan-Michael Vincent in the title role. A "wild boy" living off the land in the jungles of Africa, Vincent is discovered by coaches Tim Conway and John Amos. Cursed with a last-place college athletic lineup, Conway and Amos hope that Vincent will pull them out of their years-long slump. And he does, but not before several Disneyesque slapstick highlights, not to mention a handful of amusing special-effects gags (at one point, Conway is shrunk to mouse size by witch doctor Roscoe Lee Browne). Despite its formidable lineup of comedians-Conway, Billy DeWolfe, Nancy Walker, Vito Scotti et. al.--The World's Greatest Athlete's funniest line goes to guest star Howard Cosell! The script is the handiwork of Gerald Gardner and Dee Caruso, late of That Was the Week That Was and Get Smart. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: G, 1 hr. 40 min.
Directed By: Robert Scheerer
Genres: Comedy, Kids & Family

In Theaters: Feb 2, 1973 Wide
On DVD: Aug 2, 2005

Critic Reviews

Steve Crum, Dispatch-Tribune Newspapers
Pedestrian Disney has its family film humor moments.

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Cindy I

Remember loving this when I saw it as a kid. But the reason was because Jan-Michael Vincent was SO CUTE! I have to feeling that if I was to revisit this, that's the ONLY thing I would find good about it.
Burger S

Great Disney live action movie from the 70's.
Christopher O

A clever and funny Disney film about a jungle boy named Nanu played well by Jan Michael Vincent who is drafted by College Coach John Amos who has a big losing streak and his bumbling assitant Milo hilariously played by TIm Conway. Nanu becomes torn between his new life and his old… More
A clever and funny Disney film about a jungle boy named Nanu played well by Jan Michael Vincent who is drafted by College Coach John Amos who has a big losing streak and his bumbling assitant Milo hilariously played by TIm Conway. Nanu becomes torn between his new life and his old one. There is a brillant scene involving Conway being shrunk by a vodoo doctor and is worth watching for that alone. A enjoyable film.
Anthony V

Enjoyable Disney outing.

Cast

            Tim Conway as Milo

            Jan-Michael Vincent as Nanu

            John Amos as Coach Sam Archer

            Roscoe Lee Browne as Gazenga

            Dayle Haddon as Jane

            Billy De Wolfe as Maxwell

            Philip Ahn
            
            Leon Askin as Dr. Gottlieb

            Virginia Capers
            
            Al Checco
            
            Leigh Christian
            
            Don Pedro Colley as Morumba

            Russ Conway
            
            Howard Cosell as Himself

            Liam Dunn as Dr. Winslow

            Ivor Francis as Dean Bellamy

            Danny Goldman as Leopold

            Joe Kapp as Announcer

            John Lupton
            
            David Manzy
            
            Clarence Muse as Gazenga's Assistant

            Bud Palmer as Announcer

            Vito Scotti as Sports Fan

            Sarah Selby
            
            Dorothy Shay
            
            Bill Toomey as Announcer

            Dick Wilson
            
            Jim McKay as Himself

            Nancy Walker as Mrs. Petersen

            Frank Gifford as Announcer

            Jack Griffin
            
            Jesus Franco
            
See full cast