Chariots of Fire

Chariots of Fire Movie Poster

"This is a story of two men who run...not to run...but to prove something to the world.  They will sacrifice anything to achieve their goals...Except their honor".

Chariots of Fire, released in 1981, was an academy award winning movie about the real lives of two runners who ran for Great Britain at the 1924 Olympics:  Eric Liddell (played by Ben Cross) and Harold Abrahams (played by Ian Charleson).  The movie won a number of awards and was a huge financial success for 20th Century Fox.  Many of you will also remember the theme song from the movie becoming a top 40 hit in the early 1980’s.

The movie is a contrast of the two's motivation for running, one running for the glory of God (Liddell), the other to prove his self-worth as a persecuted Jew (Abrahams).  From different ends of the world, when the two first compete, it is Liddell who ends up the victor.  Eventually, the two are accepted to represent Great Britain in the 1924 Summer Olympics in France.  Against odds and setbacks, the two both win gold medals and end up inspiring everyone who watches.