{"id":85109,"date":"2022-07-02T16:03:27","date_gmt":"2022-07-02T23:03:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=85109"},"modified":"2023-11-18T18:24:19","modified_gmt":"2023-11-19T01:24:19","slug":"chariots-of-fire-1981","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=85109","title":{"rendered":"Chariots of Fire (1981)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;I&#8217;m forever in pursuit, and I don&#8217;t even know what it is I&#8217;m chasing.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Poster.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Poster-201x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"201\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-85110\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Poster-201x300.png 201w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Poster-86x128.png 86w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Poster-181x270.png 181w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Poster.png 499w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 201px) 100vw, 201px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nA devout Scottish missionary (Ian Charleson) and a determined Jewish Cambridge student (Ben Cross) face diverse challenges as they compete to earn spots in the 1924 Paris Olympics.\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Dennis Christopher Films<\/li>\n<li>Historical Drama<\/li>\n<li>Ian Holm Films<\/li>\n<li>John Gielgud Films<\/li>\n<li>Olympics<\/li>\n<li>Rivalry<\/li>\n<li>Sports<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nPeary doesn&#8217;t review this Oscar-winning British historical drama in his <em>GFTFF<\/em>, but he does reference it in his <em>Alternate Oscars<\/em>, where he describes it as a &#8220;slow-moving film about running&#8221; that &#8220;received mostly excellent reviews and had numerous admirers&#8221; but was &#8220;detested by&#8230; many.&#8221; He shares his own frustration at the time that &#8220;this &#8216;true story&#8217; about two British runners&#8230; at the 1924 Paris Olympics &#8212; Jewish <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Harold_Abrahams\">Harold Abrahams<\/a> (Ben Cross) and Scottish missionary <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Eric_Liddell\">Eric Liddell<\/a> (Ian Charleson) &#8212; distorted the facts,&#8221; but adds that he was &#8220;impressed by the leads (and supporting actors Ian Holm and John Gielgud), admired its noble themes (having to do with courage and integrity in the face of bigotry), and&#8230; felt a surge of emotion as a parade of proud athletes glided across the screen to Vangelis&#8217;s myth-making, Oscar-winning score.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Opening-Running.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Opening-Running-1024x555.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"347\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-85119\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Opening-Running-1024x555.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Opening-Running-300x163.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Opening-Running-128x69.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Opening-Running-768x416.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Opening-Running-1536x832.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Opening-Running-498x270.png 498w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Opening-Running.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Reviewers since then seem divided between resentment that such a &#8220;minor&#8221; film won the Oscar, and appreciation for it as a well-crafted period piece. I&#8217;m in the latter camp. While it took me a while to understand the film&#8217;s purpose and get into the rhythm of its pacing, I eventually became invested in its protagonists and their outcomes &#8212; primarily because both men are likable, immensely talented underdogs who deserve a chance at success. The supporting stories about the pressure Charleson feels from his disapproving sister (Cheryl Campbell): <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Campbell2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Campbell2-1024x555.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"347\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-85122\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Campbell2-1024x555.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Campbell2-300x163.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Campbell2-128x69.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Campbell2-768x416.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Campbell2-1536x832.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Campbell2-498x270.png 498w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Campbell2.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230; and the burgeoning romance between Cross and a beautiful actress (Alice Krige): <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Krige.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Krige-1024x555.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"347\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-85121\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Krige-1024x555.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Krige-300x163.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Krige-128x69.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Krige-768x416.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Krige-1536x832.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Krige-498x270.png 498w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Krige.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230; help to more fully humanize them, as does the mentorship Cross receives from his coach, <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Sam_Mussabini\">Sam Mussabini<\/a> (Ian Holm): <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Screen.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Screen-1024x555.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"347\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-85114\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Screen-1024x555.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Screen-300x163.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Screen-128x69.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Screen-768x416.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Screen-1536x832.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Screen-498x270.png 498w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Screen.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230; and the disapproval of said support expressed by two stuffy college masters (John Gielgud and Lindsay Anderson). <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Gielgud-Anderson.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Gielgud-Anderson-1024x555.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"347\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-85123\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Gielgud-Anderson-1024x555.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Gielgud-Anderson-300x163.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Gielgud-Anderson-128x69.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Gielgud-Anderson-768x416.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Gielgud-Anderson-1536x832.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Gielgud-Anderson-498x270.png 498w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Gielgud-Anderson.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, the cinematography is beautiful; the running scenes are compellingly shot; Vangelis&#8217;s score is appropriately haunting (and not over-used); and special note should be made about Terry Rawlings&#8217; expert editing, which cleverly uses cross-cutting to build tension and connection between the various stories. This one remains worth a one-time look. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Notable Performances, Qualities, and Moments: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Ben Cross as Harold Abrahams<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Cross2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Cross2-1024x555.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"347\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-85113\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Cross2-1024x555.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Cross2-300x163.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Cross2-128x69.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Cross2-768x416.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Cross2-1536x832.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Cross2-498x270.png 498w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Cross2.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Ian Charleson as Eric Liddell<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Charleson.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Charleson-1024x555.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"347\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-85117\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Charleson-1024x555.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Charleson-300x163.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Charleson-128x69.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Charleson-768x416.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Charleson-1536x832.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Charleson-498x270.png 498w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Charleson.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Fine historical detail<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Running.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Running-1024x555.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"347\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-85112\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Running-1024x555.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Running-300x163.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Running-128x69.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Running-768x416.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Running-1536x832.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Running-498x270.png 498w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Running.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>David Watkin&#8217;s cinematography<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Sun.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Sun-1024x555.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"347\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-85115\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Sun-1024x555.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Sun-300x163.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Sun-128x69.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Sun-768x416.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Sun-1536x832.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Sun-498x270.png 498w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chariots-of-Fire-Sun.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Terry Rawlings&#8217; editing<\/li>\n<li>Vangelis&#8217;s score<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nYes, as a good show, and for its historical significance as an Oscar winner. Listed as a film with Historical Importance in the back of Peary&#8217;s book. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Categories<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Historically Relevant<\/li>\n<li>Oscar Winner or Nominee<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p> (<span style=\"color:red;font-weight:bold;\">Listed in <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/reviews\/?page_id=1458\"><em>1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die<\/em><\/a><\/span>) <\/p>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0082158\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tcm.com\/tcmdb\/title\/70646\/chariots-of-fire#articles-reviews?articleId=21312\">TCM Article<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dvdtalk.com\/dvdsavant\/s3937fire.html\">DVD Savant Review<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m forever in pursuit, and I don&#8217;t even know what it is I&#8217;m chasing.&#8221; Synopsis: A devout Scottish missionary (Ian Charleson) and a determined Jewish Cambridge student (Ben Cross) face diverse challenges as they compete to earn spots in the 1924 Paris Olympics. Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors: Dennis Christopher Films Historical Drama Ian Holm Films John Gielgud Films Olympics Rivalry Sports Review: Peary doesn&#8217;t review this Oscar-winning British historical drama in his GFTFF, but he does reference it in&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=85109\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-85109","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-reviews"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/85109","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=85109"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/85109\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":93379,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/85109\/revisions\/93379"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=85109"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=85109"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=85109"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}