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Summary: I agree with the other reviews. Give me Widescreen option.
Review: I agaree with the other reviews. as a DVD enthusiast, widescreen is a MUST.
Rating:
Summary: Wide screen format needed
Review: Just in case I may be able to influence future releases, let me just say that I (and probably many others) will NEVER buy a DVD movie if it does not offer a choice of wide screen viewing !! It does not matter how good the movie is. It's a good thing that I still have my laser disc player.
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Summary: Powerfully combines excellent film and a story of honor.
Review: Perhaps my favorite movie of all time. It's told in a powerful, thought-provoking way, using what's best in film making. But has a story that's worthy of telling, a story of honor and character.The night it won the Academy Award I had gone to bed. When my wife came in to wake my and tell my it had won, I stood on the bed, put my hand on my heart, and cried, "God bless America!"
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Summary: One of the greatest non-fiction tales ever made into film.
Review: Chariots of Fire is an exhilirating film, which was based on the lives of Eric Liddel, a Scotsman, and Harold Abrahams, an Englishman. Both were students in their respective countries and both were competing on the same 1924 Olympic team that was one of the best ever to represent the United Kingdom. The film brilliantly captures the vastly different goals the two had as they approached their olympic dream. Liddel, the devout Christian, running for the glory of God as he said, and Abrahams, the professionally-coached Cambridge man who relished individul glory. The film is at its best leading to the initial race between these two, but the drama continues as Abrahams becomes more determined and resolute subsequent to this showdown. The Olympic games proves to be a podium for international debate on religion, as Liddel takes a stand in the name of his faith which places intense poitical pressure upon him.For those unfamiliar with this bit of history, it would seem as though the story were indeed written for Hollywood- as the high drama is only slightly embellished. This film is truly one of the greatest, and will appeal to both sexes for its emphasis on the glory of sport and the strain of personal relationships and commitments.
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Summary: Gold Medal Quality ... Truly Unique!
Review: While this film captures the incredible drive that results in Olympic gold for two British runners, along with their contrasting lives, what will likely stand out in ones memory is a simple scene where Eric Liddel is knocked off the track and apparently out of the race. What results is an inspiring movie moment unlike any other! The synthesized sound track and beautiful photography set a wonderful mood that will draw you back over and over.
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Summary: Inspiring and well done!
Review: Chariots of Fire is a movie to inspire us all and has a moral fiber that most movies today lack. The story of Eric Liddell is one of determination and a will bent to please God. I would recommend this movie to those who want a story with substance and character. The soundtrack is beautifully composed and adds much to this already rich story.
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Summary: give me widescreen or give me death!!!
Review: I agree with the above reviewer; I thought DVDs were supposed to offer a choice of TV and letterbox? A boneheaded choice obviously made by someone who doesn't care about the film.
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Summary: this movie should be on your top 10 list BUT...
Review: the DVD is a joke. It does not carry the option of viewing on widescreen format as the movie should be seen, this is even available on VHS. Added to that insult, there are no bonus features on the disc. This film deserves much better and the DVD is not worth buying.
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Summary: Running the race set before you.
Review: Mini Review of one of my top 10 favorite films of all time. Chariots of Fire is the excellent story of two runners (Eric Liddell, portrayed by the late Ian Charleson and Harold Abrahams who is played by Ben Cross)in the 1924 Olympic Games. It is an understated epic showing the dichotomy of faith and self determination. It is also two fine character studies of men blessed with as much courage and fire as they do athletic prowess. The overall effect of the film is inspirational. The stories of these great men inspire me and I believe countless others to always live life to its utmost. Two scenes stand out in my memory that illustrate this effect. The first takes place at a track meet between Scotland and France. Liddell takes a bad spill in the 400 meters event and somehow manages to not only get back up but catch up with the field and win the race as he falls to the ground utterly exhausted form his ordeal. When Sam Mussabini (Abrahams' Coach) comments "It's not the prettiest 400 I've ever seen Liddell but it is certainly the bravest" the audience is given words with which to process the exhilarating feat they just witnessed. The second scene takes place after Abrahams loses a race to Liddell. Abrahams is devastated as he has never lost before. He comments to his girl friend that he won't race of he can't win. She counters back: "You can't win if you don't race." Whether it be in words or pictures Chariots of Fire communicates to the viewer that life is a race worth running full out to the end.
Rating: 
Summary: Competition and Character
Review: Chariots of Fire is an outstanding epic based on the lives of two men (among others), Eric Liddel and Harold Abrahams. Eric Liddel, a Scotsman and a missionary believes he can succeed as a testament to his undying faith. Harold Abrahams, a Jew wishes to succeed to prove that Jews are no inferior to others in post WWI England. This movie is one of refinement, ambition, commitment and integrity. In that era, there are tempers when the Masters of Cambridge do not take lightly to Harold being trained by a professional as they pride in the amateur aspect of the sport and the esprit de corps. His interaction with his girl friend when he loses a race is a special point. She says, "He won fair and square. There is nothing you can do about it." Then he retorts, "I do not run to compete, I run to win, if I cannot win, I should not run." She replies, "If you do not run, you cannot win." It ends with her frustration and saying, "Grow up". As compelling as the racing scenes are, it's really the depth of the two main characters that touches the viewer, as they forcefully drive home the theme that victory attained through devotion and sacrifice is the most admirable feat that one can achieve. I am glad that I have a wide screen edition of this DVD, however this is a region 3 and cannot play in a regular DVD player, as they play only the region 1 version. It is similar to the version released in UK. Even this version does not have a good audio and video transfer. There are dots in the video and the audio should be better considering the outstanding score by Vangelis. The widescreen edition is farbetter than the one released in US though. I am sad that they are not releasing this one here. I got this one in US through another website, thanks to my enhanced DVD player. So, I would give 5 stars for the movie and 4 stars for the transfer (I am being very generous here).
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