Hollywood Movie was Filmed at Forest Park Pool
Movies & TV Series about Swimming & Diving
Feature films and short films set at swimming pools and oceans have been produced for the past hundred years. In the late fall of 1989, the Creative Entertainment Group production company shot scenes for the Hollywood movie Diving In in Indianapolis and in Noblesville at the Central Pool, now the Forest Park Aquatic Center. The production company purchased and installed the facility’s first pool heater. They were not common at the time, especially for large outdoor facilities like Central Pool. Director Strathford Hamilton was born in Sydney, Australia and has 15 director credits and 41 producer credits as of 2021. He also directed or produced over 200 music videos for top recording artists Prince, Queen, Earth Wind & Fire, The Clash, and others. Kristy Swanson had a leading role as Wayne’s sister. She is most know for her role as Buffy in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and has 91 acting credits. Yolande Jilot is an actress and a former Belgian and German model, born in Brussels and whose main artistic career took place during the 1980s. She played the sexy teacher and girl’s swimming coach. Matt Adler starred as Wayne Hopkins, a high school gymnast turned diver fighting his fear of heights. Stunt divers were used in many of the scenes. Members of local high school swim teams acted as extras in the movie. In the film credits, the Carmel Swim Team, the Pike High School Ringers, the Arsenal Tech Swim Club, the Anderson Swim Club, the Northwest High School Swim Team, the Noblesville Swimming & Diving facilities, the IUPUI Natatorium, and the University of Indianapolis were recognized for Special Thanks. Local swim coach for Noblesville High School and the Noblesville Swim Club, Natalie Parrish, appeared in several scenes. She was a high school swimmer at the time and swam for ACAC, Anderson Community Aquatics Club. In one of the scenes, Natalie was behind Big Al doing stretches and recalled that the baby pool was not there at the time. Natalie said, “Given that swimming was a sport that was under appreciated, it was nice to be a part of the movie that spotlighted the sport. It is a memory I have many years later that I was able to share with my teammates.” She has been involved with swimming since the age of four, was a high school state champion, and swam for an NCAA Division I college.
John E. Blazier & Burt Young
Another local, John E. Blazier, who was the car driver in Diving In was born in Lebanon, Indiana. He is a noted Indy 500 race historian and an expert in Indianapolis 500 race memorabilia. John had roles in Eight Men Out and Hoosiers, also shot in Indiana. He is an Indiana University graduate and lives in Carmel. Matt Lattanzi, who played Jerome Colter in the film was married to Olivia Newton-John and she spent time in the Indy area during the shooting. Claire Malis, who was Mrs. Hopkins, was born in Gary, Indiana and has 43 acting credits. Abraham Benrubi, played Rick and was born in Indianapolis. He continues to act with 112 credits. Darin Griesey played the role of Ralph and is a graduate of Purdue and IUPUI. Jane Jensen who was Terry’s friend was born in Indianapolis. She studied music, theater and audio arts for a creative BA from Columbia College in Chicago and chose to act and perform as her career. Tom Griswald, radio personality from the Bob & Tom Show, acted in the film as the announcer at the championship diving meet at the IUPUI Natatorium.
Watch Diving In to Spot Central Pool at Forest Park
Diving In 1990 PG-13 Partial Nudity
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0101741/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
Other Swimming & Diving Films You May Enjoy
Most of these films are available for viewing now, but a few are either in the theater or may be available again soon. The trailers are provided if the film is not currently streaming. Sometimes you can choose a higher resolution using the wheel, 1080p is better than lower numbers.
12 Feet Deep 2017 Not Rated, Horror
Two sisters are trapped under the fiberglass cover of an Olympic sized public pool and must brave the cold and each other to survive the harrowing night.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5143226/
100 Meters 2016 Spanish
Based on true events, a Spanish man with multiple sclerosis who tried to finish an Iron-Man competition despite he was told that he could not make 100 meters.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5089786/
Age of Champions 2012 Documentary
Athletes prepare for the 2009 National Senior Games: a 100-year old tennis player from Cape Cod, brothers from Washington, D.C., in their 80s who swim, a Texas widower who finds solace in training, and his rival, an 86-year-old champion in field events intent on the world’s record in the pole vault for persons over 80.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2141589/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
Alex: The Spirit of a Champion 1993 Unrated
Headstrong New Zealand teen Alex Archer trains to qualify for the 1960 Rome Olympics in the women’s 100 freestyle. Unlike the other top swimmers who train only for swimming, Alex takes piano and ballet lessons to go with a full school workload. To make the Olympics, her ultimate dream, she must not only overcome a formidable foe, but also the death of her boyfriend.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106240/?ref_=fn_tt_tt_3
Blind Horizon 2019 Documentary Short, Spanish English Promo video
9 time Paralympic medalist Enhamed Enhamed accepts Iron Man finisher Fran Utrera’s challenge of swimming together across the Strait of Gibraltar.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6415714/
Big River Man (trailer) 2009 Documentary
Martin Strel attempts to cover 3,375 miles of the Amazon River, the longest continuous swim in history.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0956101/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
Breaking the Surface: The Greg Louganis Story 1997 TV Movie, Not Rated
Breaking the Surface is about the tough times Greg Louganis had on his way to becoming one of the world’s top Olympic divers. Some topics discussed were Greg’s childhood problems, his homosexuality, and him contracting the HIV virus.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0115750/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
Captain Webb 2015 Not Rated
The Greatest Englishman tells the story of Captain Matthew Webb, the first-ever person to successfully swim the English Channel in 1875 equipped only with his moustache, doses of Brandy and a wire wool swimsuit.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3449664/?ref_=tt_mv_close
Children of Glory. 2006
The year is 1956, the coldest year of the Cold War and Hungary is politically dominated by the Soviet Empire. Yet, Hungary is also a superpower – the Hungarian national water polo team remains undefeated invincible. At the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne, the Hungarian water polo team faces off against the Russians in what will become known as one of the bloodiest matches in the sport’s history.
https://pro.imdb.com/title/tt0486219/
Dive Club TV-G 2021 Series
Dive Club follows the story of a feisty group of teen divers who search for their friend when she disappears after a cyclone hits Cape Mercy, their small coastal town.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13275052/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
Kim Swims 2017 TV-PG Documentary
The inspiring true story of an accomplished open water swimmer’s attempt to become the first woman to swim 30 miles through a stretch of cold, rough and shark-inhabited waters off of the San Francisco coast.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6949868/
Head Above Water 2021 TV-14 Documentary
A peek inside the life of an Olympic swimmer through the eyes of reigning champion Kyle Chalmers, two-time Olympian Bronte Campbell, retired Olympic hero Ian Thorpe and aspiring Olympian and global music superstar Cody Simpson. Head Above Water chronicles the personal lives and athletic careers of these four Australian icons.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14672928/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_1
Lady in the Water 2006 PG13 Fantasy
Apartment building superintendent Cleveland Heep rescues what he thinks is a young woman from the pool he maintains. When he discovers that she is actually a character from a bedtime story who is trying to make the journey back to her home, he works with his tenants to protect his new friend from the creatures that are determined to keep her in our world.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0452637/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
Million Dollar Mermaid 1952 Not Rated
Esther Williams stars in this dramatic true musical romance of turn-of-the century swimming champion Annette Kellerman, better known as the Million Dollar Mermaid.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0044903/?ref_=tt_mv_close
Moana 2016 PG
In Ancient Polynesia, when a terrible curse incurred by the Demigod Maui reaches Moana’s island, she answers the Ocean’s call to seek out the Demigod to set things right.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3521164/?ref_=tt_mv_close
My Octopus Teacher 2020 TV-G Documentary
A filmmaker forges an unusual friendship with an octopus living in a South African kelp forest, learning as the animal shares the mysteries of her world.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12888462/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
Nadia, Butterfly 2020 Not Rated French English
Nadia, an Olympic swimmer in her twenties, faces the challenges of her imminent retirement.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12439508/?ref_=fn_al_tt
On A Clear Day 2005 PG-13 UK
Frank determines to salvage his self-esteem and tackle his demons by attempting the ultimate test of endurance – swimming the English Channel.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0410400/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
Pride 2007 PG
The determined Jim Ellis starts a swim team for troubled teens at the Philadelphia Department of Recreation.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0475355/
Soul Surfer 2011 PG
SOUL SURFER is the inspiring true story of teen surfer Bethany Hamilton, who lost her arm in a shark attack and courageously overcame all odds to become a champion again, through her sheer determination and unwavering faith. The film features an all-star cast, including AnnaSophia Robb and Helen Hunt, with Carrie Underwood in her film debut, and Dennis Quaid.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1596346/?ref_=tt_mv_close
Streamline 2021 Trailer In Theaters Now
A 15-year-old swimming prodigy self-destructs after his father is released from jail.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10801496/
Swim, Santa, Swim! 2014 Documentary
Nige Reid is 52, overweight and finds it increasingly difficult to motivate himself to keep fit. He just happens to enjoy dipping his ample torso in the freezing cold water of South London’s Tooting Bec Lido in the winter months, often in a vain attempt to cure a hangover. Part travelogue, part documentary, ‘Swim, Santa, Swim’ sees Nige play the role of somewhat reluctant guinea pig as he prepares his uncooperative body for the 450 metre endurance event at the World Cold Water Swimming Championships, hosted by Santa’s home town of Rovaniemi in the Arctic circle. Join Nige as he meets an array of ice swimming veterans who offer him sage advice on how best to keep body and soul unseparated.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4249310/?ref_=ttpl_pl_tt
Swim Team 2016 Not rated Documentary
Swim Team chronicles the overwhelming struggles and extraordinary triumphs of three young athletes with autism and shows how a swim team can bring hope to a community.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4382330/
Swimmer’s Ear: A Journey to the Deaflympics 2018 Documentary Trailer
This movie follows California deaf athletes Jazmin Hernandez and Matt Klotz, both 15 on the road to the most unique, yet underfunded, sporting event in the world. A groundbreaking look at the state of deaf culture, the film unveils a deeply-rooted deaf world that Matt and Jazmin never knew existed.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7963652/?ref_=fn_al_tt_5
Swimming for Gold 2020 Unrated
A US women’s swim team Olympic hopeful suffers an injury that forces her to put aside her dreams and help the Australian men’s swim team get competition ready.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10782876/
Swimming Upstream 2003 PG-13
The inspirational life story of Australian swimmer Tony Fingleton.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0326664/
Swimming with Men 2018 Unrated
A man who is suffering a mid-life crisis finds new meaning in his life as part of an all-male, middle-aged, amateur synchronized swimming team.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6532374/
The Deep 2012 13+ Iceland
Focus World presents The Deep, the incredible true story of a man who beat the odds and survived a tragic shipwreck in Iceland’s frigid waters.
The Guardian 2006 PG-13
A high school swim champion with a troubled past enrolls in the U.S. Coast Guard’s “A” School, where legendary rescue swimmer Ben Randall teaches him some hard lessons about loss, love, and self-sacrifice.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0406816/
The First Olympics : Athens 1896 TV Mini Series 1984
This movie describes the founding of the modern Olympics and concentrates on the creation of the American team and their trials in getting to the Olympics in Athens.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086713/
The Last Gold 2016 Documentary https://vimeo.com/155310924 (Password lastgold2016)
Narrated by Emmy-winner Julianna Margulies, The Last Gold is a feature-length documentary film that reveals one of the greatest untold stories in Olympic swimming history. Forty years ago, at the 1976 Montreal Games, a team of doped East German athletes thrashed their rivals from the United States, until a remarkable final race.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5958174/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
The Swimmer 1968 M-PG
A man spends a summer day swimming as many pools as he can all over a quiet suburban town.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063663/
The Water Man 2020 PG
A boy sets out on a quest to save his ill mother by searching for a mythic figure said to have magical healing powers.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4779326/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
The Weight of Gold 2020 TV-14
A look at the mental health challenges Olympic athletes often face.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8311394/
Touch the Wall 2014 Documentary Family
Swimming superstar Missy Franklin was destined for greatness at an early age, but it wasn’t until the arrival of Veteran Kara Lynn Joyce that those sky-high expectations began to take shape.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2980728/
View Touch the Wall on Amazon
Watermarks 2004 Unrated Documentary
The story of the Hakoah Vienna Jewish women’s swim team of the 1930s, their forced separation, and their reunion decades later.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0405461/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
Writer: Molli Cameron