If anything, Hollywood didn't go far enough. I saw him do amazing things, amazing comebacks.
One race I saw was a 10,000 meter run at the Oregon Twilight meet in April 1974, I think it was. His competition in that race was Frank Shorter, who later won the Olympic Marathon in 1976 in Montreal.
Frank was 1/2 lap ahead with only 2 laps remaining. Pre started sprinting at that point, passed Frank on the last turn, and won going away, finishing with a new American Record at the distance.
Pre's major failing at age 24 was that he thought himself invulnerable, and killed himself with a light sports car, a steeply descending, tightening radius corner and too much beer.
Thanks very much for the info! I only know a little of his story, but it always amazed me.