Chariots of Fire
England's finest athletes have begun their quest for glory in the 1924 Olympic Games. Success brings honor to their nation. For two runners, the honor at stake is a personal honor... and their challenge one from within.
Winner of four 1981 Academy Awards including Best Picture, Chariots Of Fire is the inspiring true story of Harold Abrahams, Eric Liddell and the team that brought Britain one of its greatest sports victories.
Member Reviews
different types of film on sports - vadim
What made Chariots of Fire so intriguing for me personally is that it is so much different than the sports films comign out these days. It is not so much about the end result as it is concerned about the process. The motivations and dillemas that trouble 2 runners: Abraham (a Jewish runner who feels alienated from the rest of society and hopes to prove he belongs) and Lidell (who runs in the face of God). The cinematography is beautiful and the script is very well written. All the actors do commendable jobs especailly Ian Holm as Abraham's coach. I would definentely reccomend zipping Chariots of Fire!Interesting, but too much into sermons - imagination201
I had heard the trademark music of that movie many times before, but I had never seen the movie itself. I don't know if it was watching it just after Pekin 2008 came to an end, or if it is because of the characters' constant sermons and holier and/or mightier than thou attitudes, but I just didn't get any of the excitement or delight that I had come to expect from such a renowned movie...
I had a moment of greater interest when they presented the setting of Paris' games in 1924, but otherwise, I was looking forward to the end of the movie...
Like I said, though, I might have been biaised by all the Pekin 2008 actions and reports that I watched recently...Based On A True Story - Gregg
Winner of 4 Academy Awards in 1982; including Best Picture, Best Score and Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen. This film was widely viewed as one of the surprise winner's of the Best Picture Oscar.
The story of two very different British runners, as they prepare to compete in the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris. Harold Abrahams (Ben Cross) an English Jew faces both prejudice for origins and criticism for his use of a professional trainer Sam Mussabini (Ian Holm) in his preparations for the Olympics. His rival and teammate Eric Liddell (Ian Charleson) is a devout Christian whose life ambition is to become a missionary. Liddell see's his running as a way of glorifying god and memorably follows one of his races with a sermon. The film is both a powerful and stirring story of perseverance and also a story of conscience.
The cast included such notables as Nigel Havers, John Gielgud, Alice Krige, Brad Davis and director Lindsay Anderson
The standout scenes for me would both be running scenes. Firstly we have The Great Court Run at Trinity College, Cambridge. Secondly of course we have the iconic opening beach running scene at St Andrews, Scotland. Strangely, for the film the Great Court Run had to be recreated at Eton College because the film makers were refused permission to film at Trinity College.
The film features a stirring soundtrack by Vangelis (Vangelis Papathanassiou), which may sound a little dated (to some perhaps) with its use of synthesizers, but regardless it remains incredibly effective. The sequence used for the aforementioned slow motion running opening scene on the beach has much used in any number of slow motion parodies.
Member Reviews
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different types of film on sports - vadim
What made Chariots of Fire so intriguing for me personally is that it is so much different than the sports films comign out these days. It is not so much about the end result as it is concerned about the process. The motivations and dillemas that trouble 2 ...Interesting, but too much into sermons - imagination201
I had heard the trademark music of that movie many times before, but I had never seen the movie itself. I don't know if it was watching it just after Pekin 2008 came to an end, or if it is because of the characters' constant sermons and holier and/or mightier ...Based On A True Story - Gregg
Winner of 4 Academy Awards in 1982; including Best Picture, Best Score and Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen. This film was widely viewed as one of the surprise winner's of the Best Picture Oscar.
The story of two very different ...