Chariots of Fire (1981)

This is one of those classic films that everybody should see at some point in their life. I've watched this film several times, and without fail I always enjoy it and feel uplifted and encouraged. It's a powerful true story, and one which I can only say the best of things of to anyone who might read this.

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.

Two British track athletes, one a determined Jew and the other a devout Christian, compete in the 1924 Olympics.So, yeah, this is a movie that is probably better known for its soundtrack than its actual plot. That Vangelis theme? Can you even count all the times it was used and parodied? No, because no one can count that high. And yet, how many of us can name the runners in the 1924 Olympics, some of whom are featured prominently here? Almost none of us.How this film rocked the Academy Awards is a bit of a mystery, though the 1980s were a strange time, especially for movies. This is a really good film, but the best one of 1981? Doubtful. (Then again, even today the Academy does seem to pick the right choice... that is a rather rare event.)

This is the story of two men who run to prove something to the world . They will sacrifice anything to achieve their goals , except their honor . Two young men fighting for their objectives , one a determined Jew Harold Abrahams (Ben Cross) and the other a devout Christian (Ian Charleson) . In a warmup 100 meter race, Scottish Eric defeats Harold, who hires a pro coacher (Ian Holm) to prepare him . After that , both compete in the 1924 Olympics where their courage and determination to be tested . Eric Liddell , whose qualifying heat is scheduled for a Sunday, denies to run despite pressure from the Olympic committee formed by high authorities (Nigel Davenport , Patrick Magee , David Yelland as Prince of Wales) . Eric and Harold win their respective races and go on to achieve fame as missionary and businessman/athletic advocate, respectively . In fact , during the Japanese occupation of China, Eric as a missionary was taken into the Japanese Weihsien internment Camp, where he was to die from a brain tumour just before the camp was liberated. This is is a sensitive as well as riveting story, being told in flashback , dealing with two young British sprinters , competing for fame in the 1924 Olympics , both of them compellingly performed by Ben Cross and the early deceased Ian Charleson . About six years after the film's release, Trinity College reenacted the quad dash with British Olympic athletes Steve Ovett and Sebastian Coe taking part. This marvelous film has an all-star-cast such as Ben Cross ,Ian Charleson , Nigel Havers , Ian Holm , Cheryl Campbell and Alice Krige . Great secondary cast formed by prestigious British players and with a number of well known USA and UK performers for the tiny cameo roles such as John Gielgud ,Nigel Davenport , Lindsay Anderson , Patrick Magee , Peter Egan , Richard Griffiths and uncredited Kenneth Branagh as Cambridge student , Stephen Fry and first cinema film of Nicholas Farrell . Brad Davis and Dennis Christopher appeared as a favor to producer David Puttnam, waiving their fees, in order to attract finance from backers who wanted "marquee names" . Besides the lead actors, most of the white-clad runners training on West Sands in St. Andrews during the title sequence are St. Andrews golf caddies . Colorful and evocative cinematography by David Watkin filmed on location in Edinburgh, Scotland, Liverpool , Cambridge University , Eton College, Eton, Berkshire, England . When the athletes are running off the beach , in reality it results to be West Sands at St Andrews in Scotland , they run towards a large red building clearly marked as a hotel ; this is in fact Hamilton hall of residence, a student accommodation hall belonging to the University . Lavishly and luxuriously produced by great producer David Puttnam , he was looking for a story in the mold of A man for eternity (1966), regarding someone who follows their conscience ; he felt sports provided clear situations in this sense, and happened upon the story by accident while thumbing through an Olympic reference book in a rented house in Los Angeles , then the screenwriter Colin Welland took out advertisements in London newspapers seeking memories of the 1924 Olympics.Film debut by filmmaker Hugh Hudson , he originally wanted Vangelis' 1977 tune "L'Enfant", from his 1979 'Opera Sauvage' album, to be the title theme of the film, and the beach running sequence was actually filmed with "L'Enfant" playing in the background for the runners to listen and pace to. Vangelis, however, finally convinced Hudson he could create a new and better piece for the film's main theme - and when he played the new and now-familiar "Chariots of Fire" theme for Hudson, it was agreed the new tune was unquestionably better. But the "L'Enfant" tune still made it into the film : When the athletes reach Paris and enter the stadium, a brass band marches through the field, and first plays a modified, acoustic performance of "L'Enfant" . Vangelis's electronic "L'Enfant" track eventually was used prominently in the film The years of living dangerously (1982). The picture deservedly won Academy Awards for Colin Welland's screenplay , Vangelis' magnificent soundtrack , Mila Canonero's costumes and Best picture .