Chariots of Fire

Rating:
Summary: Class Struggle in the World of Sports - Brilliant!
Review: Sports and competitive leisure was something for the aristocrats and rich before and the years after World War I. Thorstein Veblen's work The Theory of the Leisure Class provides a detailed description with intricate notions and ideas in regards to this topic. One must understand that the socioeconomic climate of the society, as average people were forced to work and often lacked adequate education, which provided an opportunity for sport. Furthermore, the time it took to play games on foreign soil often required financial means, which meant that Olympic games and other sporting events were almost only limited to the upper class who also enforced rules of amateurism. The rule of amateurism was applied to sports in order to keep the sports clean from monetary profiteering, but it also kept the ordinary and undesired people away from sports. Participating amateurs in sports events were usually upper class, and not allowed to accept any form of payment which did not affect them as they usually had old money within the family. In the shadow of this notion, the audience should consider the limited number of actual participants in the Olympic games that existed before the 1930s. This information should be in the back of the head of the audience as they sit down to enjoy the terrific film, Chariots of Fire.

A simplistic view of Chariots of Fire could be that it deals with men who run. However, this simplistic view will not give the film the justice it deserves, as the elaborate theme actually begins in shadow of World War I. The theme is actually explicitly clarified during the Freshmen Dinner at Cambridge where the Master provides the newcomers with a poignant speech in regards to the past and the necessity of self-discovery. The Master points out that through their studies the students should find their strengths, which they should maximize, as they should develop their own "...honesty, goodness, vigor, zeal, and intellectual promise." This speech provides an encouraging motivation to better themselves, and the society within which they live. In the backdrop of this speech the story focuses on a couple of British gentlemen from two very different cultures -- one a Jew and the other a Christian.

Initially, the story opens in the middle of Harold M. Abrahams' funeral, which brings the audience back in time through a double flashback. The first flashback is a shot of when the runners in 1923 prepare on a beach for the Olympic games of 1924. In the second flashback, the audience is introduced to the eloquent Harold M. Abrahams (Ben Cross) who is about to begin his university studies at Cambridge where old traditions rule. Abrahams' background is first revealed through Master of Trinity (John Gielgud) and Master of Caius (Lindsay Anderson) who are discussing with delicate irritation in their tone how his father acquired his wealth. A Jewish heritage has proven to Abrahams that he must work harder than others in order to accomplish his goals. This has fostered a tenacious attitude within him to succeed that does not stop at anything, as long as he remains within the laws. His attitude is well expressed during his first week when Abrahams challenges the College Dash, a run which no one has beaten in 700 years.

Secondly, the audience is brought to Scotland to meet the other main character Eric Liddell (Ian Charleson), who was born in China by a missionary family. Liddell, a faithful protestant, has a unique talent to run and he finds that he is running to honor his God given skill and faith. Whenever Liddell is not running he is preaching in comparison to how running requires same kind of heart that a faithful heart requires to God. On occasion he finds himself in a predicament, as his faith collides with the worldview on sports, which culminates in the 1924 Olympics in Paris, France.

Liddell and Abrahams were outsiders to the British class system, but they exemplify the statement given in regards to "...honesty, goodness, vigor, zeal, and intellectual promise." Both men demonstrate their hard work and effort in regards to their preparations to competitive running while sportsmanship is expressed to contestants during competition. The two men's intellectual promise shines when both face hardships, but through personal devotion to find a solution to the problem they visualize their wisdom. Running is simply putting one foot in front of the other in a rapid manner, yet it is the purpose of ambition that provides the reason why these men run.

Chariots of Fire come across as a period film with the elaborated mise-en-scene of the time shortly after World War I. Yet, there is a personal touch to each character that leaves a lasting impression on the audience. The impact that the characters have on the audience is much due to the excellent cast. One character that stands out is Sam Mussabini (Ian Holm) who emits a strong persona that simply makes the viewer stare in wonder. Another reason why the story is excellent is the meticulous script, which gives an authentic feel to the story. In addition, the score by Vangelis initially brushes the mind to slowly create spectacular emotional fireworks in progress as the story unfolds. The combined effect of all the aspects of filmmaking ultimately provides a marvelous cinematic experience with suspense, drama, and contemplation.

Rating:
Summary: A Masterpiece of British Cinema
Review: Before the opening titles are even finished, accompanied by the excellent and haunting musical score by Vangelis, the viewer feels almost swept back in time. This is the fairly simple (and based on true) story of Harold Abrahams (played by Ben Cross) and Eric Liddell (Ian Charelson) and their exploits before and during the 1924 Olympic games. The two main characters could not be more different in that Abrahams runs for himself, and greater glory, and to prove his worth in a society that accepts, but eschews his Jewish heritage. The other is a missionarys son who believes God has made him fast for a purpose, and runs to please and honor the almighty. Both have their respective faith, and nerves tested to the limits, often to the detriment of those close to them, but the movie cleverly stays away from pretentious social comment, or philosophical undertones. Producer David Putnam, Writer Colin Welland, and Director Hugh Hudson evoke a time of gentlemen, fair play, decorum and esprit de corps that stays with you long after the end titles roll. There are some excellent supporting roles from a host of well knowns, including Ian Holm, Nigel Havers, and Alice Krige and the film reminds us of a far better and simpler time in the world of sports almost. Deserving of the 4 Oscars bestowed upon it back in 1981 (as a surprise winner)this new widescreen release to a polished DVD format with Dolby sound is a long wait finally over. There are lots of extra's to enjoy on the second disc, making the all round package more than worth the money. Often regarded as the quintessential "British" movie, it certainly has that flavor but is much more, and should appeal to anyone with a love of true drama. Undoubtedly 5 stars. Enjoy

Rating:
Summary: FINALLY, a DVD worthy of this great movie
Review: This is one of the greatest films of all time, but I am not here to write about the film's artistic merits. The previous DVD edition (snap case, pan & scan, 2.0 sound) was just obscenely bad, such that I offered the following review:
The greatest movie of all time is betrayed by the worst DVD product of all time. This beautiful film is obscured by both the miserably grainy picture and the sorry full-screen format. You can't even read the end titles. Vangelis's awesome score is muted by a constant hiss. Warner Home Video should be ashamed. This film, and film lovers, deserve much better.

At long last, this great film gets its due in a widescreen remastering. The Disc 2 stuff is OK; the "making of" documentary is interesting, the "reunion" is not, and there are a few deleted scenes, including one very good one that was unfortunately edited out of the US release because it involved cricket. All that notwithstanding, it's the feature disc that is now able to shine in its remastered widescreen glory, and which is alone worth twice the price. It's about time.


Rating:
Summary: Special DVD Edition Is Special!
Review: The Feb. 1, 2005 2-disc Special Edition release of "CHARIOTS OF FIRE" is very special! First of all, on disc 1, we get a very nice wide-screen (1.85:1 ratio)version of the feature and the option of a very interesting commentary track by director Hugh Hudson.
Disc 2 offers two new documentaries that are way above average. "Wings on Their Heels: The Making of Chariots of Fire" has interviews with almost all of the surviving artists who appear in or worked on the film. We get a great understanding of just how difficult it was to get the film made at all. The excitement of Oscar night, when the film unexpectedly took the "Best Picture" honor, is captured with clips from the show and new information from the producer, director and actor Ben Cross. A very informative job has been done in helping us to understand how this "cinderella" film made it from original screenplay to one of the finest films of the 1980s. The "thrill" and the "pride" that the cast and creators had in making the film is strongly felt.
The second documentary, "Chariots of Fire: A Reunion", was filmed in England and reunites together in one room, three of the actors along with the producer, director and cinematographer. They converse back and forth, sharing many special experiences that they had with the film. I found this to be fascinating.
The third "Extra" in the inclusion of 16 minuntes of very interesting scenes that were not used in the final film, including a scene that appears in the British version of the film that was removed for its American prints. Also there are two screens tests, one each for Ben Cross and Ian Charelson that are fun to see -- and the U.S. theatrical trailer.
I am pleased with this DVD and highly recommend it -- "CHARIOTS OF FIRE" now has the quality release that it deserves!

Rating:
Summary: THIS IS THE REASON BEHIND DVD...
Review: One of the most beautiful films ever made, and certainly the best scored (By Vagelis) this film is the reason DVD is important in film appreciation. The firat edition DVD was full frame, and plain stereo sound. This edition shows all the splender that the director intended. He had a visual eye, a certain style he wanted to capture. This film won the oscar for best picture beating out "On Golden Pond" and "Raiders of the Lost Ark" and it was well deserved. Wonderfully acted and written this is a true story of inspiration and determination and beating the odds. Now it can be seen in widescreen and heard in Dolby 5.1!!!!

Rating:
Summary: ON THE WINGS OF EAGLES - CHARIOTS SOARS TO VICTORY ON DVD!
Review: "Chariots of Fire" (1981) is a riveting biography told in flashback about two congenial buddies and budding British track stars, Harold M. Abrahams (Ben Cross) and Eric Liddell (Ian Charleson) who are set to compete in the 1924 Summer Olympics. Eric, a devout Scottish missionary, pledges his victory to God. Harold, a Jewish student from Cambridge, seeks fame and the chance to escape prejudice. Both are cocky, razor sharp and defiantly patriotic. Neither is willing to concede defeat. While other sports films (Rocky, Field of Dreams, Hoosiers) tend to go for the gusto in a prerequisite finish of bru-ha and flag waving, "Chariots" arguably goes for the gut, because director Hugh Hudson has correctly determined that it is in the gut where heroes and legends are born to flourish. This film plays like a vintage news reel, brought vividly to life. Its passion for deriving grandeur from the everyday, rather than transforming the every day into the grandeose, is precisely where the film most brilliantly succeeds.

Colin Welland's script is a masterful tapestry that fully explores the private demons and public destiny of these two titans. It poignantly captures the agony and the ecstacy of competition in the face of an uncertain and defiant world. What is even more remarkable about "Chariots of Fire" is that it lacks a singular star turn to buttress its seemingly straight forward plot, and yet there are star caliber performances riddled throughout. The acting is superb - particularly Ian Charleson's Eric Liddell; an incarnation of subtle masculine beauty that is marked and contrasted through his considerable ease and joy in running competitively against the emotionally raw and physically tortured Abrahams - the other outstanding acting acheivement of this or any other year. As prospective love interests, Cheryl Campbell (Jennie Liddell) and Alice Krige (Sybil Gordon) add to the air of documentary style that develops this film into its epic race-to-the-finish-line finale. Sam Mussabini's (Ian Holm) reaction to that final high note of victory is memorable and will leave even the most cynical of cinema critics with a lump in their throat.

A note to remember when viewing films based on real life for historical accuracy: Due to the refusal of several key participants to lend their real names to the film, director, Hugh Hudson was forced to take artistic liberties with two key characters; that of Watson (Stephen Mallatratt) who was in fact was Arthur Porritt, father to environmentalist Jonathan Porritt, and Lord Andrew Lindsay (Nigel Havers) who is actually a knock off of Lord Burghley.

Warner Home Video's DVD is, at long last, a reason to get excited. The previously issued release of this contemporary classic was bare bones and NOT widescreen. Both shortcomings have been rectified on this 2-disc special edition. The image quality on this anamorphically enhanced and newly remastered disc is outstanding. Colors are rich and vibrant, capturing all the subtle palette of nuances in the original cinematography. Blacks are solid, rich and deep. Whites are sharp and clean. Occasionally flesh tones will appear somewhat pasty or a bit too orange but these momentary lapses in color do not distract from the lush and lovely presentation. Fine detail is fully realized throughout. Only during the slow-motion photography do details tend to look a tad soft. The audio has been remastered into a 5.1 sound mix that is dated but really shines during the race sequences. Occasionally dialogue sounds strident or too frontal but again, this is a soundtrack from the early 80s. Extras include a very interesting commentary track by Hugh Hudson, a newly produced documentary, "Wings on Their Heels: The Making of Chariots of Fire", "Chariots of Fire - A Reunion" in which key cast members reunite to discuss the film's impact on both their careers and on cinema, seven deleted scenes and some actor's screen tests. Bottom line: "Chariots of Fire" is thrilling entertainment, poignantly realized and destined to become a classic. It's reintroduction on DVD - properly formatted and completely realized - has been long overdue but has been well worth the wait!


Rating:
Summary: Competition and Character
Review: This was one of the outstanding movies of the 80s. This movie intrigued a number of people when it won a lot of oscars. Eric Liddel and Harold Abrahams are driven to win by totally different reasons. Harold Abrahams, a Jew wishes to win as a testament to his being deprived due to his Judaism. When he loses a race, his interaction with his girl friend, Sybil, is special. She says, "You were wonderful, he was better that is all. He won fair and square." He replies, "I do not run to compete, I run to win. If I cannot win, I should not run. " She replies, "If you cannot run, You cannot win." He says, "I do not know what to do." She then adds, "Try growing up." The sheer intensity of the person is overwhelming. As great as the races are, it is the interaction between the two people and their ways to come to the top that is special. Eric Liddel, the Scot refuses to run on Sunday and it is thanks to Lindsay that he gets to run on the 400m. Though there are some historical inaccuracies, this movie is beautifully put together. It shows the seclusion of the Cambridge dons portrayed by John Gielgud who do not approve of Harold being trained by a professional, as the institution prides in the amateur spirit and esprit de corps. The music composed for this movie is one of the outstanding pieces and will forever be remembered. Right from the beginning when one sees them running in the beach, the music adds a haunting touch to the scene.

Finally a widescreen 2 disc version of this movie is being released in Feb 2005. This will remove a lot of the problems plaguing the earlier version, audio and video, Wait for this version and you will hopefully get the best version of this outstanding movie. This includes deleted footage, trailer, making of, production notes and other goodies that might help a lot of people.

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding Film! One for the ages ...
Review: Garnering four Academy Awards including Best Picture, Hugh Hudson's debut theatrical feature, CHARIOTS OF FIRE, chronicles the inspiring true story of Harold Abrahams and Eric Liddell, bringing the two runners' striving for gold to the limelight of Britain's 1924 Olympic track-and-field efforts.

Abrahams, both confident Cambridge student and self-consciously Jewish, runs "to win," to be the best. To that end, he takes on the professional training of Sam Mussabini. His quest takes him through the ranks of Britain's finest runners (including Eric Liddell) and one reluctantly supportive showbiz girlfriend ... right up to the fore of the very fastest competition in the world (Jackson Scholtz, Charles Paddock), culminating in a triumphant Parisian showdown to bring him a hard-earned medal.

Liddell, son of Scottish missionaries, "runs for God." His sister, on the other hand, believes his love for running will quench any intentions to follow in his father's footsteps and return to their Chinese mission. When he discovers that the qualifying heat is to be run on the Lord's day, it runs in conflict with his principles (no pun intended), putting his own love for God to the test. And when the 400 meters opens up, he is given one final opportunity "to make the world stand back in wonder."

A few historical inaccuracies notwithstanding, the movie reenacts the timeless tale of two men - each driven by different forces, toward different goals - and each of whom must triumph by following his own heart and convictions, making the drama all the richer for it. Strong performances by all. A story of focus, principle, honor, sportsmanship, and God-before-king mentality, CHARIOTS OF FIRE is a masterpiece from start to finish.


Rating:
Summary: "meaning" for the masses, more than a tad trivial
Review: I must say I found it more than a bit discomforting when this film tried to strike an emotional cord of sympathy for two characters with whom I was completely unable to care for: one, an elitist fundamentalist Christian Scot, and the other a spoiled, infantile Jewish socialite. To make matters all the more sublimely ridiculous, anyone with an ounce of knowledge would be aware that all this forced sentimentalism for two sons of privilege occurs whilst the corrupt British-imposed Treaty of Versailles was nurturing the seeds of fascism in Germany, and Imperial British forces were viciously exploiting the peoples of Africa, India, and East Asia to fund all this hubris.

Then why all the Oscars, you ask? Certainly Hollywood is too easily intoxicated by the appearance of even the most minute form of Jewish suffering. What is next, Adam Sandler's passionate quest for mazza balls whilst living in Wisconsin? Laugh if you must, but Chariots of Fire is about two paces away from being that absurd.

This is not a bad film. But it just didn't deserve all the accolades. If you want to see a great film about the British made in 1981, watch Gallipoli. If you want to see a great British film, watch Lawrence of Arabia or Gandhi. It's curious to note that the very next year, the Academy only saw fit to award the Best Picture prize to Gandhi by the narrowest of margins... over Tootsie, a cross-dressing comedy with Dustin Hoffman. It's high time we all realize that for most of the 20th century the British were morally only marginally better than the Nazis. Chariots of Fire serves to obscure that fact.


Rating:
Summary: The only winner epic film of the eighties !
Review: Despite the different awarded films in that decade focused in the family troubles , Africa memories and superb biographies , this decade showed as very few an absolute neglect for rescue the epic sense and the power of will besides the adversity and fate .
The real challenge behind the countless efforts of these England runners who participated in 1924 Olympics is an adittional proof , a true statement about the human will in the harshest conditions. The Vangelis mood in the soundtrack has been a must reference in many musical curtains .
The acting levels are first rate and the edition is superb . By far the best achievement of Hugh Hudson in his career .