Chariots of Fire

One of the Great Motion Pictures of our time

When I wandered into the theater at the Galleria Mall in Houston in 1981, I was just killing a few hours and saw from the poster that this movie was about runners. Well, was I surprised! This is one of the examples of what motion pictures can be at their highest level. No gratuitous sex, violence or special effects, just a true story told honestly about 2 great athletes and the many struggles they endured to excel. Fine acting by then unknown Ben Cross and the late Ian Charleson, visually stunning and a degree of suspense that sweeps the viewer into another time, when acheivement was measured by a different standard. This is one of the most inspirational movies that can be watched. A true treasure and deservedly the Best Picture winner of that year.

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AS A RUNNER IN SCHOOL AND I LOST A GREAT FRIEND THAT MADE STATE

AS A RUNNER IN SCHOOL AND I LOST A GREAT FRIEND THAT MADE STATE AND THE US FINALS AS A TRACK RUNER BUT HIS LIFE WAS SHORT. BUT AS THE FILM COME OUT THE SCHOOL MADE A LOT OF TRACK AND FEILD RUNNERS WATCH THESE FILM SO IT BRINGS BACK GREAT DREAMS OF THE TIMES ON THE TRACK AND THE STREET.

Inspiring Film for all times...

This has been a favorite since it came out (back in the day!) The movie weaves together the inspiring stories of two Olympic runners: Eric Liddell, a Scot who eventually becomes a Christian missionary in China, and Harold Abrahams, a Jewish student at Cambridge who pursues his Olympic dream with extreme dedication and determination. With an amazing cast (Sir John Gielgud, Ian Holm, Patrick Magee, Ben Cross, Ian Charleson, Nigel Havers et all) it won 4 well-deserved Oscars, including Best Picture, in 1981. This edition includes excellent Special Features -- my sister lost my old (very worn) DVD, so she replaced it with this one from our local B&N. The digitally remastered widescreen edition looked & sounded oh-so-much-better (the excellent soundtrack from Vangelis is amazing!) and the documentaries on the 2nd disc are great. We enjoyed the interviews with the production team, director and actors who shared wonderful stories from the making of the film. One of the best inspirational films of all times - be sure to add this special edition to your collection!

Inspirational Running Movie

Excellent historical movie. The story of two UK sprinters at the beginning of the twentieth century. Focuses on two very different internal drives that bring both runners to the Olympic competition.

A 1980s Classic

Often sports movies sink under their own weight, as the sheer familiarity of sports figures makes it difficult to suspend one's disbelief when watching actors' portrayals. Through the use of unfamiliar actors, and by minimizing the actual sports scenes, Chariots of Fire escapes the trap and allows us to concentrate on the contrasting characters: the fierce intensity and individualism of Abrahams, and in Liddell, the devotion to faith. The beauty is that a sense of Team transcends those character traits on the ultimate sports stage, the Olympics, but only to a point. The characters remain true to themselves. The thoughtful screenplay, which won an Academy award, brings all of this home intelligently. Visually, the flavors and details of the University scene in England in the 1920s are perfectly captured, and the well-heeled, young scholar-athletes are portrayed with sensitivity. And let's not forget the famous slo-mo scenes and the groundbreaking modern synth score by Vangelis that meshed surprisingly well with the 1920s England. Tremendous acting throughout. For the supporting cast, honorable mention to Ian Holm for his portrayal of track coach Sam Mussabini. and for the Pitch perfect all around. It's the depth of the characters that makes me return to it over and over. An inspiring and beautiful film.

Remember The Music

Nothing like a running movie can keep your attention like Chariots of Fire and they are all white guys, not to be prejudicial, excluding Abrahams. WASPS, in fact. Eric Lydle is a man everybody should remember for his faith. Princess Diana's sweetheart Dodi Fayed financed this film by the way.

INSPIRATIONAL

I have seen the movie 5 times and it still inspires me today as it did over 20 years ago. Eric Liddle's faith and conviction captured my full attention as he sprinted across the screen all to the glory of God. As I watched the film I was also reminded of someone else who ran like the wind. His name was Elijah. The Old Testiment has an account of Elijah running faster than the chariots and he is the one the Lord took to heaven in "Chariots of Fire." There are not many movies of this high caliber. Most films with christian faith at the core don't capture the sincerity this one did. 5 star plus!!!

AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING!

this book was beyond awesome. a true story retold... it showed what it means to win for a person like eric liddle... a great movie for all ages

Historical context

This movie inspired and thrilled me when it first appeared for all the reasons noted. Now I appreciate how well the film captures a particular moment in British history. It takes place just after the Great War's devastation, when to be 'grasping' (that is, ambitious) and 'Jewish' were still synonymous, and both traits were still disdained by the so-called 'gentlemen' who ran the British Empire -- shortly before World War II wrenched the empire away for good. It helps one understand why this rigid, class-ridden society was doomed even without Hitler's help; Maggie Thatcher and Tony Blair would have fared no better in it than Harold Abrahams. Another sad twist: Its executive producer understood 'outsider' status in England quite well. He was scorned as an upstart interloper up to and after his death in a Paris tunnel with lifelong insider Princess Diana.

actually, he was running right!

''Chariots of Fire'' is a movie that continues to inspire and move me whenever I think about it, and my first viewing was 6 years ago. I have to make a contention with the comment that Eric Liddell's running style in the movie was way off - it was, but the thing was, that's the way he ran in real life. Everyone who saw him race could never understand why he won so many times, since his running style was unorthodox. So, actually, the movie was entirely accurate, and the actor who portrays him had to go through rigorous training to adopt his running style. Plus, if you remember, Eric Liddell is not a true sprinter - he's a long distance runner. ''the old heart digs deep.'' So, that makes the fact that he won the 400 even more amazing, as the 400 is the most rigorous sprint in track and field. Just an interesting fact to keep in mind when you watch the movie - Liddell's excellence truly came not from only his own talent, but his devotion to God. ''Those who honor me, I will honor.''

A MOVIE BASED ON THE REAL ERIC LIDDELL

An inspiring movie, and all the more so because it is based on the TRUE story of Eric Liddell - who, by the way, actually did sprint in that unusual fashion: arms flailing, eyes to the heavens. He ran fast, regardless of his style. Read a biography of him and find out for yourself.

Great Movie, Lousy DVD

If you saw the original movie in the theater, you won't like this narrow screen, low-fi DVD. Wait for someone with taste to release a decent version.

A great light

Gordon Hammersley plays a small but vital role in 'Chariots of Fire'. The young actor died soon after this great film was released, so it is all the more important that we remember his presence and ability. He is the one who sets everything in motion and starts the race- watch out for him!

Running style

This is one of the best movies I've ever seen. No violence, no foul language, great music score, and excellent acting. My main criticism, even though it's a minor one, is that the scenes of Eric Liddell (Ian Charleston) running are far from accurate. No sprinter (this includes up to 400 meters) would run with his arms flailing about as he runs......sort of like he's trying to fly by flapping his wings. A true sprinter keeps his elbows in close to his body.....if he doesn't, he will not run as fast AT ALL. Truly a great movie, though.

Unexplainable DVD release

Chariots of Fire is a stirring, Academy Award winning film with marvelous photography which has been criminally transferred to DVD in a Pan and Scan format. Don't buy this version. There are no extras and you can't see all the director and photographer wanted you to see. Wait for the widescreen version. It'll be worth it!

Outstanding! Arguably One of the Greatest Movies of All Time

CHARIOTS OF FIRE is the inspiring true story of Harold Abrahams and Eric Liddell, two men whose stories of striving for Olympic gold are reenacted with thematic accuracy. Abrahams, a confident Cambridge student, and self-conscious of his Jewish origin, is the ''toast of England,'' besting all runners with whom he competes. Convinced anyone who isn't first place is a loser, he hires professional trainer Sam Mussambini to assist him in his quest to be the fastest. Eric Liddell, son of Scottish missionaries, runs for God. While he intends to follow in his father's footsteps in returning to the mission in China, his sister believes his love for running will quench his desire to serve God abroad. And when he discovers that his Olympic event is to be run on a Sunday, the Lord's day, he must decide whom to honor. It is the timeless tale of two men, driven by different things, each of whom must triumph by following their own convictions and hearts, making the drama all the richer for it. A story of focus, principle, honor, glory, God-before-king mentality, and sportsmanship, Chariots of Fire will entertain fans from start to finish.

A GREAT MOVIE

THIS WAS A VERY GOOD MOTION PICTURE JUST SAW THIS YEAR BUT IT WAS A EMOTIONAL FILM AND I AM VERY PROUD TO HAVE SEEN AND EXPRIENCE THE JOY OF WATCHING THIS FILM

Fine film, stunning music...but disappointing DVD release

I think there is no doubt that this film is an enduring classic. Especially so in the way that Vangelis' music lifts the events of a particular era completely out of time. Unfortunately this DVD is a Pan&Scan release with no significant extras. As such it is both disappointing and overpriced. I would personally hold out for a remastered widescreen release, with director's commentary and an isolated music score.

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