Chariots of Fire

Starring: Ben Cross, Ian Charleson, Ian Holm, Nicholas Farrell, Nigel Havers, Daniel Gerroll
Directed by: Hugh Hudson
Rating: PG
Genre: Drama, Sport
1981

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: Two athletes (Ben Cross, Ian Charleson) both try to compete for Great Britain in the 1924 Olympics in Paris. They run for different reasons- one to honor God, the other for personal achievement.

Review:

Tim: I was pretty excited to see this movie. The film's soundtrack is iconic in Hollywood history, and this is an Academy Award winner for Best Picture. I can say that Chariots of Fire is a very good movie, but I was expecting greatness. It is a fairly straightforward drama about two athletes competing in running events, leading up to the Olympics. Upon reflecting on this film, I suspect that the reason it won Best Picture was less because of its merits, and more because of its subject matter. This is a film the Academy would have a hard time not loving. It is dramatic, inspirational, and based on a true story. It feels like the perfect Academy film. Of, course, it had to be good, but I wish that a different film won Best Picture instead (perhaps the classic, monumentally superior Raiders of the Lost Ark?) Still, this is an enjoyable movie nonetheless.

This movie boasts a very strong story. I love the idea of two very different athletes competing against each other- and the world's best, as they try to win the gold medal during the Olympics. This is very interesting. The problem with this film is that it offers very few truly dramatic moments. While there are a few, most of the races scenes are surprisingly devoid of real suspense or drama. This film would have been better had the races actually thrilled the audience. I was a bit disappointed here. I also thought the rivalry between the two men could have been explored more. It is, to an extent, but not nearly as much as it could be. In many ways, it feels like true entertainment was lost because of the focus on straightforwardly telling the story.

The cast is fairly good. Ben Cross is enjoyable the Jewish Harold Abrahams. I liked his performance because he is a conflicted man- at once accepted because of his ability, but also kept back because of his religious beliefs. He gives a complex, fascinating performance. I also liked Ian Charleson as the Protestant, God-fearing Eric Liddell. He is a bit goofy and it is hard to watch him run (what strange mechanics he has), but he gives a good performance as well. I thought he gave an interesting performance, one that made me wonder and question about his character. Ian Holm also has to be mentioned. He gives a good supporting performance as well. I liked him in the role, although I was a bit surprised he was nominated for Best Supporting Actor. Still, he is enjoyable here.

Chariots of Fire won four Academy Awards- Best Picture, Best Costume Design, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Original Score (has a film ever deserved this last one more?). The music is so terrific that I'd recommend this movie purely for the opening scene, running on the beach- it is amazing. Luckily, the rest of the movie is entertaining as well. I have to admit that I expected greatness from this film, but it still delivers on some levels. I don't know if really deserved the Best Picture Academy Award, but it is a very good movie nonetheless.



Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 7.5



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: Gandhi, Remember the Titans, Miracle, Munich