Simon Dillon reviews this iconic film, re-released for the Olympics.

Chariots Of Fire

Just over thirty years ago, Chariots of Fire won Best Picture and Director at the Oscars, beating Raiders of the Lost Ark. Of the two films, the latter was frankly better and if anything looks even more remarkable today. That said Chariots of Fire is still a powerhouse piece of filmmaking, well deserving of this Olympic timed re-release.

Based on the true stories of 1924 Olympic athletes Harold Abrahams (Ben Cross) and Eric Liddell (Ian Charleston), this remains an irresistibly stirring, inspiring and moving story, in spite of years of familiarity, parody and that theme tune becoming embedded in the popular consciousness. Liddell runs for God (but won't run on a Sunday) whereas Abrahams runs against institutional anti-Semitism (one sequence underscores this theme by featuring Gilbert and Sullivan's music to amusingly ironic effect). The upshot of their struggles packs an unashamedly sentimental emotional wallop.

The leads are excellent, and the supporting turns by the likes Nicholas Farrell, Nigel Havers, John Gielgud and Ian Holm equally so. Director Hugh Hudson's memorable use of slow-motion has since become cliché, but it works very well here. As for Vangelis' music, well, it remains a matter of taste and is one of the elements that seriously dates the film (in spite of the iconic main theme).

Over the years, Christians have made much of Liddell's principled stand, but there is so much more interesting spiritual food for thought beneath the surface here. Take for instance the implied condemnation of the age of Enlightenment when one of the Olympic Committee berates godless attitudes for ultimately leading to the First World War. Furthermore Liddell's angsty-Presbyterianism should not be misconstrued as merely a legalistic refusal to run on Sunday, but a desire to honour God even above one's ambition; a lesson sadly unheeded by many Christians (let alone non-Christians) today.

In short, Chariots of Fire is well worth catching on the big screen, but in spite of its undoubted merits, I still haven't forgiven it for beating Raiders of the Lost Ark at the Oscars. CR

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.