Director Hugh Hudson's absorbing drama, based on a true story, deals with the personal struggles faced by two very different long-distance runners competing for Britain in the 1924... more
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Chariots Of Fire [1981]
The come-from-behind winner of the 1981 Oscar for Best Picture, Chariots of Fire either
... more
strikes you as either a cold exercise in mechanical manipulation or as a tale of true determination and inspiration. The heroes are an unlikely pair of young athlet...
Chariots Of Fire [1981]
The come-from-behind winner of the 1981 Oscar for Best Picture,Chariots of Fireeither
... more
strikes you as either a cold exercise in mechanical manipulation or as a tale of true determination and inspiration. The heroes are an unlikely pair of young athletes...
Production Year: 1946 - Drama - Director: Michael Curtiz, Delmer Daves, Alfred Hitchcock, Frank Capra - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance
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Chariots of fire is the story of two British athletes competing for God and country, as well as pride, in the 1924 Olympic games. Firstly there is, Harold Abrahams (Ben Cross) the son of a wealthy Jew who, whilst attending Cambridge University, attempts to prove his place in the university society through his running. And then there is Eric Liddell, a proud Scotsman and a devout missionary who runs because he feels it is a gift from God and to use ... ...Filmed in 1981, Chariots of Fire is based on the true story about two British athletes in the 1924 Olympics, but like many films based on a true story, there has been plenty of poetic license used to make it into an enjoyable film. In researching for this review, I became aware of quite a few inaccuracies within the film, but it still doesn't detract from what is one of the greatest British Movies of all times. There are several reasons why this ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Inspiring to people from all walks of life Disadvantages: Can seem overly 'English'
This, in my opinion, is one of the most timeless movies ever. Anyone who believes passionately in anything will relate to Eric Liddell, and be inspired by the passion, determination and drive constantly exhibited by this great man. And in the same way, anyone who has ever been marginalised and rejected will understand the pain of Harold Abrams, and the absolute determination to prove 'the establishment' wrong. Perhaps, yes, it has aged a little and ... ...group of priveleged and wealthy young men studying at Cambridge - yet the manicured and controlled beauty of the surroundings of the rich and balanced and humanised by scenes of the Scottish Highlands. Watch this, and I defy anyone not to have a longing to find the nearest beach and just run wild . . . ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful
Advantages: Great film Disadvantages: Poor sound and vision quality, no extras
...Chariots of Fire (a plot synopsis is to follow in another review – and before anyone accuses me of going to regurgitate this op – this op is solely about the DVD and which will be clear from the rating of the DVD as opposed to the rating that the film will receive) has a place in cinematographic history, having won four Oscars in 1981, including the Oscar for best film. The title though is a deliberate pun, the quality of this DVD angering me due to its inadequacy, when the film is a great film.
In April 2001, a DVD version of the film was released to coincide with the 20th anniversary of the film, and I bought this DVD from the Virgin Megastore on Vienna’s Mariahilferstraße for EUR 29 (that’s approx £18), although it is available at amazon.co.uk for £14.99 (reduced from £15.99) plus postage and packing at the moment. I bought it having...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Director Hugh Hudson's absorbing drama, based on a true story, deals with the personal struggles faced by two very different long-distance runners competing for Britain in the 1924 Paris Olympic Games. Eric Liddell (Ian Charleson) is a devout Christian who sees victory as a testament to the glory of God, while the other, Harold Abrahams (Ben Cross), is a Jewish Cambridge student who sees victory as a challenge to anti-Semitism and his ongoing struggle for acceptance by Britain's elite. Eric, a hometown Scottish hero to the people, gives rousing sermons after victory and works at a local missionary. Harold runs with a zealous commitment, upsetting Cambridge's educational upper crust (played with enjoyable wit and candor by Sir John Gielgud and Lindsay Anderson) while enjoying social life with his university chums and his beautiful showgirl girlfriend (Alice Krige). But when faced with such a competent challenger, Harold hires trainer Sam Mussabini (Ian Holm) to further his dreams of winning the gold. Ultimately, the two runners meet in Paris to run for British victory in a rousing finale. Featuring an unforgettable soundtrack by Vangelis, this Academy Award-winning film is an inspirational story of athletic excellence and spiritual awakening that captures the zeal of post-WWI Britain and the glory of the Olympics.
Award information
OSCAR: Best Screenplay Written Directly For The Screen 1982 (Colin Welland)
Professional reviews
Review: "...Unashamedly rousing, invigorating....Splendidly performed..." (New York Times, p.C14, 25/09/1984)
"...Strong script values and top-notch performances....The casting is pin point..." (Variety, 08/04/1981)
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22.02.2002
