• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content

Bright Path

The Jim Thorpe Story

  • Home
  • Cast & Crew
  • The Petition
  • Get the Shirt
  • Tribal Partners
  • Jim Thorpe Bio
  • Photo Gallery
  • Signup

BRIGHT PATH

THE JIM THORPE STORY

A young Sac and Fox and Potawatomi man resists the government’s attempt to strip him and his fellow Native American youth of their identity and culture. Spurred on by the last words his father ever spoke to him, “Son, you’re an Indian, I want you to show other races what an Indian can do,” Jim Thorpe transcends every obstacle to become a beacon of hope for Native people and “The World’s Greatest Athlete.”

Cast & Crew

Martin Sensmeier 

Lead Actor, Executive Producer

Tlingit & Koyukon-Athabascan Tribes

    Angelina Jolie

    Producer

    Executive, Jolie Pas

      Alex Nibley

      Writer

       

        Nedra Darling

        Executive Producer

        Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation

          Robert Wheeler

          Executive Producer

          Biographer, author Jim Thorpe: World’s Greatest Athlete

            Abraham Taylor

            Producer, Writer

            Chairman, Pictureworks Entertainment

              Kyle Kauwika Harris

              Writer

              Choctaw Nation

                Rick Hill (In Memory)

                Executive Producer

                Oneida Tribe of Wisconsin

                  Josh Aker

                  Executive Producer

                  President, Pictureworks Entertainment

                    Todd Black

                    Producer

                    Partner, Escape Artists

                      Christopher Taylor

                      Executive Producer

                      Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana

                        Justine Hunt

                        Executive Producer

                        Partner, Hines & Hunt Entertainment

                          Lars Anderson

                          Author

                          Carlisle Vs Army

                            take back what was stolen:
                            Return Jim Thorpe’s olympic win

                            Jim Thorpe broke barriers at the 1912 Olympics, winning two gold medals in the pentathlon and decathlon, at a time when Native Americans weren’t even recognized as U.S. citizens.

                            Proclaimed “World’s Greatest Athlete,” Wa-Tho-Huk – Bright Path, became an icon of Native American strength and resilience.

                            So why do the Olympics officially recognize two champions in his events?

                            Please sign our petition calling on the International Olympic Committee to right this wrong, and join our movement. Thanks for your support!

                            Learn More & Sign the Petition

                            Get the limited edition Bright Path Strong T-Shirt

                            When underdog Jim Thorpe dominated the Olympic competition, he became an international icon. Get your limited edition “World’s Greatest Athlete” Bright Path Strong t-shirt, designed by renowned Native American artists Steven Paul Judd and Aaron Silva.

                            shop now

                            Our Tribal Partners


                            Tuolumne Band of Mewuk Indians

                            Tonto Apache

                            Sac & Fox Nation

                            The Mohegan Tribe

                            Chicken Ranch Rancheria Me-Wuk Indians of California

                            Sealaska

                            Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation

                            Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria

                            Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians

                            Bright Path Family


                            Jim Thorpe

                            An Icon of Native American Strength & Resilience


                            I am no more proud of my career as an athlete than I am of the fact that I am a direct descendent of that noble warrior [Chief Black Hawk]

                            —Jim Thorpe

                            Artwork by Steven Paul Judd


                            Jim Thorpe is considered by many to be the greatest all-around athlete in the history of modern sports.

                            Professionally, he played baseball for the New York Giants and football for the Canton Bulldogs where he won three championships. In 1920, he became a founding member and the first president of the National Football League (NFL). 

                            He won Olympic Gold Medals in the pentathlon and decathlon in the 1912 Swedish games, representing a United States that didn’t recognize his citizenship.

                            Entering the final event of the decathlon, Thorpe had such an impressive lead that he only needed to finish 7th or better in the 1,500 meter race to win Olympic Gold. After the runners were called to the track, Thorpe dug into his gym bag to find his shoes missing. Someone had stolen them.

                            Frantically, he searched for his shoes, to no avail. With the race about to begin, he found two mismatched, badly-worn shoes: one, two-sizes too big, the other, a size too small. With socks doubled up on the one foot, Thorpe put a thin dress sock on the other and got to his mark just in time for the race to begin.

                            After trailing the pack for the first three laps, Thorpe caught the leaders rounding the final turn, and with a great burst of speed, he surged ahead and won the race by an astounding 25 yards. He captured the Gold Medal and was pronounced “The World’s Greatest Athlete” by King Gustav of Sweden.

                            You, sir, are the greatest athlete in the world. I would consider it an honor to shake your hand.

                            — King Gustav V at the 1912 Olympics in Stockholm

                            Gallery

                            Signup for More

                            Stay updated on Film Events, Opportunities to get involved, and more!

                            Connect with us

                            • Email
                            • Facebook
                            • Instagram
                            • Twitter
                            • YouTube

                            Bright Path

                            Copyright @2020 · Pictureworks Entertainment