Rating: 
Summary: Second Favorite Movie of All-time
Review: I can still remember when this came out in '80's standing in long line outside Dallas cinema house waiting to see this movie and marveling how this flick without the contemporary pollution of sex and violence and silliness captivated the people.Sat in first row (which hate to) and crooned neck through this rather lengthy, slow paced movie, but enjoyed every minute. The depth of characters and plot which most of it historically happened (see Sally Magnusson's excellent book "The Flying Scotsman" to find which weren't real) to Scottish Christian runner Liddell and Jewish runner Abrahams. Cinematography and soundtrack are just exceptional. Watch this and talk about it with who'll ever listen.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Score by Vangelis
Review: CHARIOTS OF FIRE
Ben Cross, Ian Charleson, Nigel Havers, Cheryl Campbell, Alice Krige, 1981 Synopsis
True story of a Christian Scottish missionary Eric Liddell and a Jewish Cambridge student Harold Abrahams who overcome personal struggles for the honor of their country (Britian), and run to victory in the 1924 Olympic Games. My Review
Intelligent and inspirational Oscar winning film with a great musical score by Vangelis. This film has a nice script and may have been the foundation for many sports movies that were made later on. However it may be a little boring for the young running enthusiast.
Rating:
Summary: Film that works on several lev els
Review: This has always been a favorite film of mine, and after 20 years I am purchasing it for our church library! Why? The film works on a number of different levels. It is beautifully filmed. The score seems to express the vitality and freedom a person feels when running. It takes you to an earlier fascinating era, 1920's England.
Other than these things, the film can be enjoyed by teens and adults purely as a sports-Olympic film. It certainly stands at the head of the cinematic sports genre of films, way above any sports films like Knute Rockne, Ice Castles, Downhill Racer, The Other Side of the Mountain--none I can think of can compare. The film can be enjoyed as a reflection of its era. A profound moment occurs when the students arrive at Cambridge; their bags are carried into their dorm house by gents who are obviously WWI survivors with grotesque facial prostheses. This makes the new students a little bit uncomfortable and we see how guilty they feel, how lucky they feel to be attending Cambridge, sound of life and limb, whereas had they been a few years older they would probably have been cannon fodder at Belleau Wood or Ypres. The huge bronze plaque in the house dining room reinforces this feeling; it lists the WWI dead just from that particular Cambridge house. Their desire to take up the sport of running seems unimportant compared to the ultimate sacrifice their house brothers made so they COULD indulge in their sport. The third level, of course, is religion. Contrast Eric Liddell's missionary zeal with the sort of whispered prejudice amongst the bigoted Cambridge dons towards Harold's competitive determination. Harold is out to prove he is worthy, as good as any Christian. Is someone blessed in life's endeavors because he is godly like Eric Liddell,or is someone just as blessed if he seeks to prove his worth in a world prejudiced against him? How does faith influence what we do in life? I find this theme in the film very interesting and satisfying. Reasons for competition vary, and Abraham's girlfriend really enlightens Harold after he loses a race, when she questions his motivations for running. Can you ultimately be successful in life even if you fail once in awhile? This film is not reflective of the frenetic American jazz-age; rather it explores an era when Europeans just felt lucky to be alive after a world conflagration. The reasons why two men run is the essence of the film. You also cannot help contrast the way the Olympics have changed from 1924 to today with their ridiculous overexpansion and vast expense. I prefer the 1924 version. I enjoy this film for its many levels, and when I think that Reds almost won for best film that year I have to laugh. Chariots of Fire surely has withstood the test of time (I just watched it again last week); Reds nowadays seems like a LONG BORING film. Warren Beatty and Diane Keaton no longer matter. Vangelis' score is absolutely perfect. As much as the main theme was overplayed in the 80s, it still is beautiful, and makes you want to put on your Nikes and head to the track even if you have never run in your life. The music does not express the jazz age but rather, expresses the exhilaration of running, your hair trailing in your own slip stream, as you stride along a seashore. The film's plot even reverts to Gilbert and Sullivan, which makes the evocation of the era very sweet indeed.
Rating:
Summary: 5 Stars for the Movie, No Stars for the DVD
Review: I was excited to see an earlier review which alluded to a widescreen re-release of this DVD in 2001. This is a remarkable movie--perhaps the perfection that the early movie-makers dreamed of. Like some others who have reviewed the DVD, I must state for the record that I will not buy another DVD that lacks widescreen format. Shame on you Warner Studios!!!
Rating:
Summary: Run For Glory
Review: Chariots Of Fire tells the dual real life stories of two runners in 1920's Great Britain who overcame obstacles in life to win gold medals at the 1924 Paris Olympics. Ben Cross is Harold Abrams a Jew whose background has made him doubly determined to become the fastest runner in the world. He carries a grudge against society and not only does he race to beat his competitors, but the world as well. He is unrelenting and second place is not an option. He goes to Cambridge and makes friends with fellow runners Aubrey Montague and Lord Andrew Lindsay. Ian Charleston is Eric Liddell a Scotsman who is the son of a religious missionary. He runs not out of a desire to be the best as Abrams does, but because he feels God's pleasure. He says to his disapproving sister that God made him fast for a reason and when he runs he is praising His glory. Abrams and Liddell face off in a race in the middle of the film and Liddell prevails. This haunts Abrams as he had never lost before and he enlists the aid of a professional coach, played by Ian Holm, to train him. Mr. Holm plays the role as a delightful curmudgeon and adds a little levity to the film. Both men, as well as Lindsey and Montague, make the Olympic team. There is some controversy as Liddell finds out the preliminaries for the 200 yard dash which he is competing in are taking place on the Sabbath. He refuses to race, as it is a sin, thus sparking trouble. Lord Lindsay jumps to rescue, giving up his spot in the 400 as he already won his medal in the hurdles. The film took some heat for this bit of poetic license as in real live, Liddell knew of the situation weeks before the Olympics and the change was made well in advance of the race without the all the fervor the film depicts. That aside, the movie is a gripping, engrossing story of two seemingly different men, who in the end have more in common than we think. It shows personal triumphs in spite of shackles that would hold lesser men down. The film won a surprising 1981 Best Picture Oscar over the heavily favored Reds as well as one for Vangelis' memorable score (the main title became a number one hit for Vangelis in 1982). Just as in real life, the film overcame many obstacles to obtain the ultimate prize in movies.
Rating:
Summary: An engrossing and powerful sports story
Review: I enjoy sports films, especially when they are used to exemplify greater human truths. In that regard "Chariots of Fire" is one of my favorite sports films. What differentiates this film is that it is really a human story about sports rather than a pure sports story. Based on a true story, it centers on two gifted athletes and their quest to run in the 1924 Olympics. The first is Harold Abrahams (Ben Cross), a haughty sprinter with an obsession for winning. Abrahams, who is Jewish, is a man with something to prove, mostly to himself. His rival is Eric Liddell (Ian Charleson), the first man to ever beat him in a sprint. Liddell is a devout Christian and runs for the glory of God. There is an exquisite interplay of subtle themes in this film underlying the obvious sports tale. There is the contrast of motives. Abraham runs to validate his feeling of personal power, and his preoccupation with winning is actually motivated by his fear of losing. His quest is torturous, and ultimately his victory empty, more of a relief than a triumph. Liddell runs out of a desire to repay God for the physical gifts he has been given. He is at peace with himself, but at odds with all those who want to control him. Their rivalry represents a battle between the forces of the physical and spiritual. Other themes pervade the film. We have undercurrents of bigotry against the Jewish runner, a man of whom Cambridge was begrudgingly proud while berating him behind his back. We have sinister political attempts at manipulation in the face of Liddell's staunch integrity in adhering to his principles. Together, these forces combine to produce a film rich in drama and meaning. The film has been criticized for its inaccuracies. Some say Abraham did not suffer from anti-Semitic bigotry and that he was wildly popular at Cambridge. This does not necessarily mean he didn't feel inferior. No one can know what childhood experiences might have affected his psyche. Jackson Scholz was quoted as saying he never gave Liddell a note of encouragement on the track. I have to agree that this was a bit of Hollywood drivel that didn't need to be there. Additionally, Liddell knew weeks before that the heats would be on a Sunday, not just before the race as shown, and he was always scheduled to run the 400-meter race. The meeting of political bigwigs that allowed him to switch from the 100 to the 400 was pure fabrication to emphasize his resistance to compromising his beliefs about running on the Sabbath. However, these liberties can be forgiven because they enriched the story and did not change history in major ways. The direction by Hugh Hudson is powerful. Hudson captures the feeling and excitement of track and field competition, as well as giving us numerous beautifully photographed scenes and a wonderful period rendering. Though nominated for an Oscar, Hudson was unable to capitalize on the success of this film, and he has directed very few, mostly minor films since. The music by Vangelis is also wonderful, and it won the Best Music Oscar. Ben Cross is fantastic as Abrahams. He brings great intensity to Abrahams' single-minded obsession for winning. Cross hasn't done much film work since, but has had a long and distinguished career in TV. Ian Charleson is also excellent as Liddell, but his career went the same route as Cross'. This minor film was the sleeper of 1981, nominated for seven Academy Awards and winning four, including Best Picture. I rated it a 10/10. It combines the best elements of human drama and sport to create a potent and engrossing film.
Rating:
Summary: Great movie - great DVD version on the horizon for 2001.
Review: I liked Chariots of Fire very much, it is one of my favorite films. Good news to report from the Studio Day held for movie company representatives, media and DVD fans alike at The Laser Place in California. Warner Bros. reps confirmed that Chariots of Fire will be re-released on DVD this year as a special edition, I assume this means that we'll see widescreen/letterbox formatting and high quality sound. Keep your fingers crossed, surely this will come through to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of this film.
Rating:
Summary: This movie is the best film I have ever seen
Review: In this stirring story, Eric Liddel prevails because of his commitment to the God whom he believes has given him an extraordinary talent. The movie parallels Liddel and Harold Abrahams, a Jewish runner, who are set to race for England in the Paris Olympics. We find two incredibly different individuals protrayed in this film. Liddel runs for God and is quick to give Him the glory for his accomplishmnets. Abrahams runs to prove a point to the prejudice around him and perhaps to prove to himself that he can be a champion. In Eric Liddel's emotional struggle we are stirred with emotion as we watch him decide to give up worldly fame for Heavenly gain. His story inspires the watcher to prioritize his/her life and stand for what is right even if that means not realizing all of your dreams. In the end it is Liddel who is satisfied with his life as Abrahams finds that even as a champion there is still something missing in his life. This is a deep movie and some people are not able to take the time that the movie requires to think. If you do not take the opportunity to absorb this movie for all it is worth you have truly missed out on one of the most important stories of modern faith.
Rating: 
Summary: Makes me sleepy just thinking about it.
Review: I'm sorry to say that I have fallen dead asleep in the theatre twice in my life. Watching this film caused one of these "napping" incidents. This is without a doubt the most boring film ever made. And its waaaay to long to boot! A deadly combination.
Rating:
Summary: Movies just don't get any better
Review: This is my other favorite movie (along with Breaking Away). I've been a runner since I first went running out in the country with my dad when I was 8 or 9. This movie really speaks to the runner in anyone. There's something pure about running, and this captures that feeling perfectly. Whether it's the Scotsman running with a group of kids, having fun, or if it's the drive for glory by racing around the courtyard before the bell finishes tolling at noon, this movie captures that pureness better than anything I've seen. The story focuses on two runners, heading for the Olympics. One is an obsessive, driven student and the other is a deeply religious man, who runs for god. Both of their stories are very interesting as you come to see their motivations. When it gets to the Olympics themselves, a scene of purer sportsmanship and nobility you'll never see. I don't want to say anymore to avoid ruining the ending. Even if you aren't a runner, you'll like this movie. Of course, if you hate running, you may have a hard time with it. The ideals of integrity and nobility come out so well that it's hard not to want to go out for a run after watching this, even if you've never run before in your life.
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