an underrated masterpiece

Rating: 10/10 (11 June 2008)

so, this may be a little biased since it is my favorite movie of all time, but...i think this movie is quite excellent.
i first saw it when i was in the eighth grade and it has been my favorite movie ever since. i have a lot of difficulty ever seeing any movie take its place.
Chariots of Fire is the inspiring true story of two runners, Eric Liddell, a Scottish missionary- turned-rugby player-turned sprinter, and Harold Abrahams, an intelligent, dedicated student and son of a Jewish immigrant. Liddell runs for God, Abrahams to fight the anti- Semitism he senses in post-World War I Britain. as these two rivals train for the 1924 Olympics, the audience comes to know their strengths and weaknesses and the people who were important to them in their personal lives.
many people give up on this film within the first fifteen minutes because of the unique storytelling at the beginning. the script is brilliant but hard to follow for those not savvy on British culture or history. the movie, as a whole, was truly made to be seen at least twice, so nuanced is the excellent, Oscar-winning screenplay.
the cast is near perfect, the best performance being Ian Holm's Oscar-nominated and dazzlingly humorous portrayal of trainer Sam Mussabini. Vangelis' Oscar-winning score is now considered clichÃ© and is often-parodied, but when seen in its natural element (the film) completely and beautifully fits. it is a shame so many people only know the main theme of the film when the score contains many absolutely beautiful moments.
Chariots of Fire is very underrated and unseen by most in my generation. true, it's not a movie for everyone, and i can see why some don't like it. but all things considered, it is, in my opinion, near perfection in the world of cinema.