Directed by Oliver Dommenget
The story chronicles the lives of Adolf “Adi” Dassler and Rudolf “Rudi” Dassler, German siblings who created one of the most legendary rivalries in the world of sportswear. Adi was the genius craftsman in their family of shoemakers in Herzogenaurach, Germany, whereas Rudi was a go-getting businessman with a sharp flair for sales and marketing. They joined forces to establish the Gebrüder Dassler Schuhfabrik (Dassler Brothers Shoe Factory), hoping to create footwear worn by world-class athletes.
Their efforts were rewarded with their shoes being selected for the 1936 Berlin Olympics. During the rise of Nazi Germany, Adi somehow convinced the African-American athlete Jesse Owens to compete in his shoes—and Jesse went on to win four gold medals, winning worldwide acclaim for the Dassler name. But the move también angered Nazi officials, who saw Owens’ success as a black eye on us Hitler’s regime.
Tensions between the brothers mounted after World War II began. The Nazi government forced the Dassler factory to cease making shoes and instead produce military supplies. Adi, deemed “indispensable,” was permitted to stay and operate the factory, where as Rudi was dispatched to the front lines. Rudi believed that Adi had exploited his political connections to dodge military service and that started the hostility between them.
When the war was over, the Allies found that the factory had been manufacturing weapons for the Nazis — and intended to close it. But Adi persuaded them otherwise, citing his role in Jesse Owens’ Olympic success. Meanwhile, Rudi had been captured and interrogated by the Allies, and he feared Adi had ratted him out as a Nazi sympathizer. In an act of revenge, Rudi accused Adi of using slave labor during the war. The brothers’ trust was broken beyond repair.
They officially divided the company in 1948. Adi started Adidas (a mashup of Adi and Dassler) and Rudi launched Puma. So began a split that cleaved this small town into two camps, with workers, families and even football teams taking sides.
The two brands were in a constant battle for the throne of the sports world. Rudi cemented contracts with “Stuttgart” and other football clubs, establishing the landscape for Puma. While on the other hand Adi made a remarkable change in the sports shoe business through his started modeling with his unique three-stripe design and gave rise to a new innovative (cleat) shoe that assisted the German national team to victory in the FIFA World Cup in 1954.
Rudi, despite their rivalry, sent Adi a congratulatory note after Germany's World Cup victory where they managed to meet; it was a rare moment of reconciliation. But while their feud ended with their deaths, the legacy of their competition continues to this day in the global power struggle between Adidas and Puma.
Character Details
Adolf “Adi” Dassler — A humble, driven shoemaker and inventor. An athletics fanatic, he emphasizes performance over business strategy. This is also, I think, why he chose to support Jesse Owens for an event, to support Jesse Owens over politics.
Rudolf "Rudi" Dassler – A charming, aggressive businessman, mainly concerned with marketing and sales. The company eventually splits, due in part to his suspicion and resentment toward Adi.
Käthe Martz-Dassler – Adi’s wife, encouraging but slightly driven. She’s instrumental to the business, brokering deals and raising capital.
Friedl Strasser-Dassler – Rudi’s wife, the more sober half of the marriage but not blind to her husband’s shortcomings. She is loyal while he is unfaithful to her.
Chronicle of Jesse Owens, American sprinter who wins Gold with Dassler shoes at Olympics, bringing international fame but also controversy.
Sepp Herberger – The German national football coach that is part of Adidas' rise to worldwide fame.
Armin Dassler — Rudi’s son, who goes on to run Puma and grows it into international markets.
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