Chariots of Fire

– The true story of British athletes preparing for and competing in the 1924 Summer Olympics...

Type:
Movie
Rating:
7.20 / 10
Duration:
2 Hours and 5 Minutes
Release Year:
1981
Chariots of Fire (1981)

The true story of British athletes preparing for and competing in the 1924 Summer Olympics.

Chariots of Fire (1981) - Trailer

Release Date:

09 Apr 1982

Language:

English, French

MPAA Content-Rating:
PG – Parental Guidance Suggested

Some material may not be suitable for children. Parents urged to give "parental guidance". May contain some material parents might not like for their young children.

Director:

Hugh Hudson

Writer:

Colin Welland (original screenplay)

Main Actors:

Nicholas Farrell, Nigel Havers, Ian Charleson, Ben Cross

Plot:

It's the post-WWI era. Britons Harold Abrahams and Eric Liddell are both naturally gifted fast sprinters, but approach running and how it fits into their respective lives differently. The son of a Lithuanian-Jew, Harold, who lives a somewhat privileged life as a student at Cambridge, uses being the fastest to overcome what he sees as the obstacles he faces in life as a Jew despite that privilege. In his words to paraphrase an old adage, he is often invited to the trough, but isn't allowed to drink. His running prowess does earn him the respect of his classmates, especially his running teammates, and to some extent the school administration, if only he maintains what they consider proper gentlemanly decorum, which isn't always the case in their minds. Born in China the son of Christian missionaries, Eric, a Scot, is a devout member of the Church of Scotland who eventually wants to return to that missionary work. He sees running as a win-win in that the notoriety of being fast gives him an added outlet to spread the word of God, while he sees his speed as being a gift from God, and he wants to run to honor God and that gift. This view does not sit well with his sister, Jennie Liddell, who sees his running as only taking away time from his work to God. Harold and Eric's lives do intersect in national races, but it is the 100 meter track event at the 1924 Paris Olympics which the two men and their supporters most anticipate. Beyond the fact that Americans Charles Paddock and Jackson Scholz are favored in the event, the much anticipated head to head between Harold and Eric may be further shadowed by other issues, especially as it affects Eric's Christian beliefs.

Awards:

Won 4 Oscars. Another 14 wins & 19 nominations.

Production:

20th Century Fox

Ratings:
Internet Movie Database:
7.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes:
84%
Metacritic:
78%