Chariots of Fire (1981)

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  May 13, 2012

  mumby1988

  The UK re-release of Chariots of Fire to coincide with the London Olympics gives us a golden opportunity to re-examine the film which revitalised the British film industry. Long after writer Colin Welland's fateful cry of "The British are coming!" at the Oscars, the film still st... read moreands as one of the defining moments in 1980s cinema, for better or worse. Neither the disappointment of Hugh Hudson's subsequent career, nor the seemingly endless stream of parodies and imitations, has tarnished what remains a truly great piece of British filmmaking.
  
  For those of us not caught up in the patriotic fervour of the Olympics, it would be tempting to dismiss Chariots of Fire as an outdated, backward piece of filmmaking. Lindsay Anderson, who has a supporting role in the film, was very scathing about the seeming resurgence of British filmmaking following its Oscar success. The pioneer of Free Cinema and the British New Wave claimed that, in their quest for international success, British films had abandoned the unique style and adventurous spirit that they had in the past. He remarked that "the British came, but their first-class air fares were paid for in dollars."
  
  In spite of Anderson's comments, which carry more than a grain of truth, it is very difficult to come out of Chariots of Fire without having had one's spirits even slightly raised. While the tone of Hudson's film is light and respectful, not to say uplifting, it scores over many subsequent epics on the grounds that it actually has something to say. It even knocks Gandhi into a cocked hat by giving us characters to admire without holding them at arms' length. It wants us to understand the history through the pleasures and pains of the people who made it, not by remonstrating about the reputations they accrued.
  
  David Puttnam once described Chariots of Fire as being essentially about "Christianity and Judaism, getting on". He wanted to make a film about the relationship between the Abrahamic faiths, at a time when anti-Semitism was as rife in British culture as Christianity was strong. The film depicts these anti-Semitic tendencies very delicately, with a series of barbed off-hand comments about Harold Abrahams "not going to be singing in the church choir" or being "semi-deprived" because of his background. But Hudson is also careful not to labour the point, playing on the absurdity of his predicament in the restaurant scene, where Sybil accidentally orders two plates of pigs' trotters.
  
  The film shows a great amount of reverence for the respective faiths of the central characters. While it doesn't ask the kind of deep, difficult spiritual questions that something like Shadowlands does, nor does it shy away from demonstrating the problems that come from such devotion, whether it be Eric's quarrels with Jennie about missionary work or his refusal to run on the Sabbath. In an age where religious belief is dismissed as always being irrational, idiotic or rooted in hatred, it is refreshing to see a depiction of religious belief (be it Christian, Jewish or otherwise) which recognises the good intentions of the people upholding those beliefs and the positive impact which they can have on one's character and works.
  
  Alongside its examination of the practical workings of faith, Chariots of Fire also tackles the issue of sportsmanship and the reasons why people may represent their country, whether in the track and field or on the battlefield. Both Eric Liddell and Harold Abrahams have multiple motivations which lead them to run for Britain. Neither of them are doing it explicitly for their country, as shown by Liddell's resistance to the Prince of Wales about running on the Sabbath or Abrahams' personal obsession with beating Liddell. While Abrahams' relationship with God is rather ambiguous, Liddell runs because that is God's purpose for him at this point in time. The affections of women also play a role, with Liddell looking to reconcile with his sister Jennie and Abrahams vying for the affections of Sybil.
  
  For a film which appears so reverential and respectful towards British institutions, Chariots of Fire does tap into the erosion of old values by new ideas that emerged after the First World War. In one of its best scenes, Abrahams is confronted by the Masters of Gonville and Caius about him employing a professional athletics coach in the shape of Sam Mussabini. They claim that it is against the amateur spirit of athletics in general and the Olympics in particular, accusing Abrahams of compromising himself and bringing their colleges into disrepute.
  
  Abrahams, by contrast, sees the Masters' conception of sportsmanship as an outdated relic. The ruthlessness he exhibits in his preparation foreshadows the determination of the athletes we recognise today, indicating the kind of selfless spirit which has become diluted and eroded as more of Abrahams' archetypes have passed through all forms of sport. Certainly the 1924 Olympics as depicted in the film bear very little resemblance to the modern-day Games; you won't find athletes in 2012 using trowels to dig out their starting marks, or passing each other notes of encouragement.
  
  Chariots of Fire may be British with a capital 'b', but it doesn't fall into the obvious traps that would hamper later export-driven efforts from the likes of Merchant Ivory. The aesthetic of 1920s Britain is very well-evoked, and it takes a while to adjust to all the social niceties of post-war England; to paraphrase Mark Kermode's comment about The Shawshank Redemption, there's a whole lot of chariots before you get to the fire. But once you are in the zone the characters cease to feel like stereotypes of British culture, and for all its painterly cinematography the film has enough pace to sustain itself beyond its beautiful landscapes.
  
  Perhaps the most famous aspect of Chariots of Fire is the soundtrack by Greek composer Vangelis, who would later provide the soundtrack for Ridley Scott's Blade Runner and 1492. Puttnam, who worked with him on Midnight Express, intended to use electronic music as a counterpoint to the traditional songs of the period, setting Abrahams' performance in HMS Pinafore against the synth-driven montage of Liddell running over the Scottish hills. For the famous opening scene on the beach, Hudson originally wanted to use 'L'Enfant', which Vangelis had recorded for one of Hudson's documentaries. Vangelis bet the director that he could come up with something better, and the rest is history.
  
  The brilliant soundtrack, coupled with the now-synonymous use of slow-motion, hints at the real power and purpose behind Chariots of Fire. Above and beyond its themes of patriotism, spirituality, duty and devotion, it is a film which seeks to inspire and incite fervour, whether it be pride in one's country, admiration for these men or awe at the kinds of sacrifices they made. Hudson depicts the characters so believably and naturalistically that you would need a heart of stone not to be won over by them. Even those of us who aren't ardent patriots can enjoy it without feeling guilty; the film is celebrating the individuals who represented Britain, rather than the act of representation itself.
  
  The performances in Chariots of Fire are of a very high standard. Ben Cross brings real depth to Harold Abrahams, which makes it all the more disappointing that his subsequent career has brought him so relatively little recognition. The late and much-lamented Ian Charleson is superb as Eric Liddell, inhabiting the character to the point of writing much of his own dialogue (for instance, his speech to the athletics crowd gathered in the rain). There is also good support from Lindsay Anderson and Sir John Gielgud as the masters of Gonville and Caius. While Gielgud is happy playing to type, Anderson retains a wry awkwardness, perhaps imagining the fate of future dons in his brilliant satire If.... from twelve years before.
  
  Chariots of Fire is a great film which is more than deserving of a re-release this summer. Its gentle pacing and stiff-upper-lip may prove impenetrable to some, and the legacy it has left behind for British filmmaking has not been one of unmitigated benefit. But to judge it on its own terms, outside of these Olympics or any other, it is a triumph of British cinema, with emotional depth and intelligence to spare. It demands to be seen by anyone with an interest in British film, and now is the perfect time to do so.

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  October 4, 2011

  cosmo313

  This is an elegantly low-key fact-based period drama centered around two runners competing for Great Britain during the 1924 Olympics in Paris, One of them, Eric Liddell, is a devout Scottish Christian who feels that he is running for the glory of God. The other, Harold Abrahams,... read more is an English Jew who runs as a way of trying to overcome prejudice. It is a sports movie, and it is inspiring, but it's not really about the sports.
  
  Instead, this is a movie where the sports are the backdrop and it's really a film about dedication, determination, and faith. Prejudice is also a very strong underlying subtext. This movie takes these issues seriously, but it also manages to be entertaining and not just a "heavy" film. It's got a few trappings of the sports movie genre such as montages and slo-mo, but they never truly stick out or get in the way. This is about the characters and themes more than anything.
  
  The pacing is far from breakneck, but I never felt that the film was too sluggish or boring. The deliberate pacing allows for the characters and themes to be well developed. You really feel like you get to know these people and care about them and their respective beliefs.
  
  Probably the most notable thing about this movie is the music. I kind of feel like people are more familiar with this film's music, especially the stirring theme song than the actual movie itself. That's a bit of a shame, but at least that means this film made some sort of cultural impact. Vangelis did a good job here, and it is surprising how well his contemporary synth-based music works with the period setting.
  
  Give this movie a shot. It is an old fashioned and very British film, but it has some really good performances, memorable music, and actually tries to say something meaningful.

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  August 12, 2011

  spielberg00

  Good

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  June 29, 2011

  moonrivers

  The will to win is the theme here, determination, and what a job winning actually is. Ian Holm's Oscar for Best Supporting Actor seems well deserved, but for being a film about foot racing this more leaves one with the impression of a walk in the park.

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  June 9, 2011

  jamers2011

  Very good film! A very solid sports films that compares to some of the best of its genre. This Oscar winner for Best Picture is a movie that is often regarded as one of the least deserving of past recipients of the award. I can't say whether I agree or disagree with that, but I m... read moreust say that I thoroughly enjoyed every second of the movie.
  
  A thing that I really liked about the films was that it's about Track. There are so many football, boxing, basketball movies, but this is the only film about running that I have ever seen. The track meet scenes and the Olympic scenes were very nice and intense.
  
  I also loved the appearance of the film. It was very authentic looking. The settings, costumes, buildings.....the film really looked like 1920's England. I still can't believe this film came out in the early 80's!
  
  I really liked this film. It's not the best film I have ever seen, but I'm more than thrilled to have been able to watch it. I recommend it!

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  September 2, 2010

  TheDudeLebowski65

  I bought a three pack of drama movies at Walmart, one was Amadeus. The other Once Upon A Time In America, and the other, Chariots Of Fire. I thought the movie had a very inspiring message. The acting was excellent, and the directing superb. However, I thought this film was sligh... read moretly overrated, not by much, but some. I enjoyed it. Vangelis' unforgettable score rounds out this good film, and everyone one involved deliver great performances. I don't believe it's the greatest sports film ever made, but it does manage to entertain you with it's simple story. My guess is, this is a film that you need to watch a few times to be truly engrossed by it. Well, I certainly will watch it again, and I do think this is a good film. Simple, yet effective, Chariots Of Fire is a well made film that will please any fan of sports films alike.

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  August 5, 2010

  smith44

  Bring me my bow of burning gold! Bring me my Arrows of Desire! Bring me my spear! O clouds, unfold! Bring me my Chariot of Fire! A Historic Epic of monumental proportions. Music is unforgettable. Winner of my Top Sports Films.

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  December 20, 2009

  jjnxn

  Dull! If I had to watch them run one more time I would have run out of the room myself.

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  November 10, 2009

  fb619846742

  Great opening sequence that features terrific acting and an involving and never uninteresting storyline. Need to re-watch this at some point.

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• 
  
  October 1, 2007

  YLOWBSTARDreturns

  ...And this beat Atlantic City, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and Reds for Best Picture?

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• Ben Cross as Harold Abrahams
• Ian Charleson as Eric Liddell
• Nigel Havers as Lord Andrew Lindsay
• Nicholas Farrell as Aubrey Montague
• Ian Holm as Sam
• Daniel Gerroll as Henry Stallard
• John Gielgud as Master of Trinity
• Alice Krige as Sybil Gordon
• Lindsay Anderson as Master of Caius

Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

• 
  Amazing Grace (71%)
• 
  The Prince of Tides (50%)
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  Without Limits (100%)
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  Another Country (67%)

• • Eric Liddell: Everyone runs in her own way, or his own way. And where does the power come from, to see the race to its end? From within.
• • Eric Liddell: I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run I feel his pleasure.
• • Rev J.D. Liddell: You can glorify God by peeling a potato if you peel it to perfection.
• • Harold Abrahams: Aubrey, I've known the fear of losing but now I am almost too frightened to win.

• From which film is the quote 'I don't run to take beatings. I run to win. If I can't win I won't run'?  Answer »
• Name the Academy Award for Best Film in 1981 starring,Nicholas Farrell,Nigel Havers,Ben Cross & Ian Charleston,with the plot outline:The story of two British track athletes,one a determined Jew, and the other a devout Christian who compete in the 1924 Olympics?  Answer »
• which film does not star Angelina Jolie?  Answer »
• Oscar winner for Best Picture of 1981 (all nominated):  Answer »

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