Inspiring movie and brilliant character study in an Olympic sports tale

Rating: 9/10 (6 March 2006)

I saw this movie only once when it first came out, but it has stayed fresh in my mind all these 25 years and I'm sure I'd glean even more out of it the second time around. It's an absolute must see, a film with compelling characters and a unique theme I've encountered nowhere else.
The film is based, apart from a few historical liberties, on two runners who compete in the 1924 Paris Olympics. It's primarily a character study of the two track athletes and their very different but equally passionate motivations, both being consumed with a fire for running and competition. Eric Liddell, a Scottish missionary, runs because he believes it pleases and glorifies God. Failure to do so, he feels, would be 'to hold Him in contempt'. Harold Abrahams is Jewish and his motivations revolve around overcoming the prejudice of that era in Cambridge society. He must 'prove himself' and vying for an Olympic medal is simply the vehicle he chooses for that end. Ian Charleson and Ben Cross are both brilliant in their respective roles of Liddell and Abrahams.
The plot itself holds a certain interest (if not grip) as we watch the two athletes train, head to Paris, and eventually compete in their respective track events. Obviously, unless you're already an expert on former Olympic medalists, you're going to wonder...did they win their races? However, that being said, the film is definitely more driven by character than by plot.
Yes, there are a few deviations from true history here, but regarding the Sabbath issue, I find it moving and inspiring in this day and age to think of an athlete of that calibre taking such a stand. Not to broadly denounce all modern Olympians who devote their lives to training, but oh...that we had such personal integrity in our era, with steroid scandals (so commonplace as to not even be scandalous anymore) and focus on future professional careers and lucrative product sponsorships.
The Vangelis theme accompanying the slow motion runners at the beach became justifiably famous. I'm not much of an athlete to say the least but whenever I hear it to this day, it makes me feel like running!
Don't miss this movie. Cinematography, music, a touch of race suspense, but especially character and theme...all brilliantly done.