Awesome

Rating: 10/10 (12 September 2010)

If someone told you they saw a great movie about the contrasting approaches taken by two runners for the 1924 Great Britain Olympic track team you might think they were pulling your leg. But in fact this is a titanic movie which simply exceeds the sum of its parts. Charleson plays Eric Liddell, a Scots runner who must choose between his belief in keeping the Sabbath holy and his desire for Olympic success. Cross plays Harold Abrahams, a Jewish competitor who has to decide whether to use a professional coach despite the misgivings of his prestigious university. Still doesn't sound like much? Then you just have to see the movie. As with all great movies, the moral dilemmas are presented without judgment and you get to decide. Plus the presentation is as important as the message, the feel of the 1920's permeates this movie. A very deserving Best Picture Oscar winner, far better than the ratings given it by IMDb visitors.