Bland patriotism makes for a dull and mostly forgettable film

Rating: Null/10 (2 April 2006)

Coming from different backgrounds, two men come together to represent Britain in the 1924 Olympics in the track sprint. Harold Abrahams is a Jewish academic, known to be very fast, having become the first to break a long standing University challenge to race around the courtyard in 12 strikes. Eric Liddell is a devout Scottish Christian and rugby star who has been chosen to rise to the top of his field as a way of promoting Christianity. The two men face different obstacles to make it to their goal but both strive towards the Olympics with one thing in target  victory.
For years I thought I had seen this film and it was only recently I decided that I had not. I could recall the famous scenes, recognise the music but yet I could not remember much else so I can only assume that I had picked it up from popular culture rather than first hand. However watching it now I must admit that I could easily have watched it and totally forgotten it because it is a totally forgettable film that seems intent on making me proud to be British by reminding me how good it is to be bland. The plot is interesting in theory but the delivery does nothing with it and just stays on the surface of the material with a tale of stiff upper lips and decorum but no character, emotional engagement or excitement. I know that British period films have a reputation for being very folded in on themselves and restrained but the best ones contrast that with what is underneath  Chariots of Fire seems determined to ignore anything occurred between the words in the script.
I wonder why it has its reputation as a great film because I see very little outside of a patriotic swell that would make people (far less the award ceremonies) love it so much. Hudson's direction is fine  a bit stiff and obvious but generally good enough to do the job although did he presume the constant use of slow-motion would have us all on the edge of our seats? If so, he was wrong  it gets tired very quickly (although that may be its status in popular culture working against it). The cast do what is asked of them but, because this is not a great deal, they didn't do anything for me despite the number of faces in it. Cross and Charleson are both pretty bland and they easily have scenes stolen from them by small turns from the underperforming likes of Havers, Anderson, Gielgud, Magee and Holm.
Overall this is a stiff British film with nothing of interest happening beyond the simplistic piece of patriotism and story telling. The narrative is dull and the characters could easily have been replaced with bricks without losing any depth. The cast try hard to produce a serious British period film but the material gives them nothing to work with whatsoever. Succeeds on the level of looking professional and being very British and I suppose that must be sufficient for some people; unfortunately two hours later I decided that it wasn't enough for me.