Phillip Charles What an incredible film.Chariots of Fire tells the true story of two British Olympians who strove for gold in the 1924 Paris Olympics. The two, however, begin as rivals and each of their ambitions act as counterpoint to the other. Eric Lidell (Ian Charleson) is a devout Christian missionary but so naturally gifted as a runner and driven by his belief in God he is able to succeed. Harold Abrahams (Ben Cross) runs because he has something to prove; as a Jewish man in England in the 1920s, he is an outcast. He runs out of a sense of indignation and to prove his worth to others and to himself.This is where the film becomes exceptional. It focuses on the characters. The races are not seen as events of celebration and are not focused on by the director Hugh Hudson. Running is shown in the runners' perspectives; gritty and real, a struggle and a journey. Their focus is shown in the quiet, muted background noise, and the firm thuds of their feet as they run. Their self-fulfilment is evoked by Vangelis' soundtrack, which truly deserves all the praise it is given.Cross acts very well as a confused, brooding but determined young man. We feel his anger at loss, sympathise with his situation and are inspired by his hard work. Charleson plays the quintessential honourable Christian, a trope made interesting by the conflict the character has reconciling his faith and his running.It's very easy to say this film is dated and represents bygone British patriotism and class distinction unpalatable with today's norms. But films like this find their relevance in the examination of human nature and everything else in the film is merely the stage for these ideas to be realised.Chariots of Fire hearkens back to the idea of being able to succeed no matter your background, beliefs or challenges.

markstraffellis I saw this film when I was 14 when first released at the cinema and was so good, I can honestly say that it was a positive influence on my life.Chariots of Fire is a perfect blend of plot, script, actors, cinematography and music coming together to make a brilliant movie. The fact that it was based on a true story about the motivation of human beings and their reasons and desires for victory in the 1924 Paris Olympics makes the film real.The 2 main characters of Abraham and Liddle are the focal point of the story line. Abraham is Jewish in a softly anti-semitic world runs because he wants to prove to himself and to other people that he is the best, Liddle is deeply religious and wishes to win to honour the gift he was given by God.Do not expect an American style fast moving action filled plot, but if you like films that stir your emotions, make you engage with the characters and make you feel a better person at the end, this is the one for you.Well deserved Oscar.

Cinema_freak I read the summary of this film - "Two British track athletes, one a determined Jew and the other a devout Christian, compete in the 1924 Olympics." - and decided to give it a shot. And that was all there was to the movie. A Christian, and a Jew compete in the 1924 Olympics on behalf of Great Britain. All throughout the movie, I waited and waited for something interesting to happen. But alas, it was all in vain. They run in the races, win their respective medals, and that's it. Presumably, it was mean to be enjoyed by the British in patriotic fervour. I wouldn't call it a bad film, but it isn't no masterpiece either. It did not deserve the Academy Award that year. The reason I give it a 5 is the beautiful way it's been shot, the acting, and of course, the marvellous theme song. That theme (by Vangelis, he deserved his Oscar) is the biggest contribution this movie has made to the world! I somehow believe that the theme brainwashes people into believing this movie to be a masterpiece!

SnoopyStyle In 1924, a Jew Harold Abrahams (Ben Cross) and devoted Christian Eric Liddell (Ian Charleson) are training to go to the Olympics in Paris. Back in 1919, Abrahams faces prejudice from the Anglo Saxon establishment in the University of Cambridge. He falls for Gilbert and Sullivan actress Sybil Gordon (Alice Krige). Meanwhile Liddell runs in the Scotland highlands despite misgivings from his devout sister Jennie (Cheryl Campbell). He's born from missionaries in China. After Abrahams loses to Liddell, he is devastated and gets coaching help from Sam Mussabini (Ian Holm). At the Olympics, Liddell's 100 meter race heat is schedule for Sunday but he refuses to race on the Sabbath.These are pretty stuffy true life stories. It's not quite as compelling probably because the attention is split between two characters. Both are compelling historical figures and both deserve the attention. Director Hugh Hudson's style is rather conventionally competent. This is Oscar bait. It's a well made biopic of uplifting historical stories. The most interesting aspect of the movie to me is the music from Vangelis. It is synth heaven. The problem is that the movie can't narrow its focus only on Abrahams because of what happened in the Olympics. However Liddell isn't a very compelling story until the Olympics.