The triumph of human spirit.

Rating: Null/10 (7 February 1999)

Chariots of Fire is a film which has been well recognized for the scene during the opening credits, where a group of athletes run through the surf on a beach in England. This scene has been repeatedly imitated and parodied in many other films and television sitcoms. The movie gives us a true story which will surely evoke deep emotions amongst many who attentively watch it.
We see these young men on the beach as from an era long past -- 1924 to be exact. The film follows several members of the British Olympic track team which went to Paris to compete against their heavily favored American counterparts. Yet this movie is not focused necessarily on the simple matter of who can run the fastest distance between two lines, rather the motivations which drive some to run.
In character Harold Abrahams (Ben Cross), we see a man who runs not necessarily for pleasure or accolades, but to establish his own sense of human dignity. The son of a Lithuanian Jewish immigrant, Abrahams was well aware of the often subtle, but prevalent anti-Semitism in society.
Actor Ian Charleson portrayed the other primary subject of the film, Scotsman Eric Liddell. As a member of a devout Calvinist ministerial family, he views his committment to spreading the word of God as being of utmost importance.
The running scenes are beautiful in this film. In training sequences we see Abrahams being mercilessly drilled by Coach Sam Mussibini (Ian Holm), whom he hired to 'make him faster'. Every inch, every step of his routine is scrutinized and enhanced. Slow-motion is used effectively in this film, focusing on facial reactions in moments of apprehension, effort, dismay, victory and despair.
Finally, the score composed by Vangelis for this film is a remarkable one- up there with other rare gems such as 'The Third Man'. It serves as a remarkable background pulse to a lively and highly enjoyable movie.