Chariots of Fire (1981)

***Chariots of Fire*** is a 1981 British historical sports drama film directed by Hugh Hudson, written by Colin Welland and produced by David Puttnam. It is based on the true story of two British athletes in the 1924 Olympics: Eric Liddell, a devout Scottish Christian who runs for the glory of God, and Harold Abrahams, an English Jew who runs to overcome prejudice. Ben Cross and Ian Charleson star as Abrahams and Liddell, alongside Nigel Havers, Ian Holm, John Gielgud, Lindsay Anderson, Cheryl Campbell, Alice Krige, Brad Davis and Dennis Christopher in supporting roles. Kenneth Branagh makes his debut in a minor role.

*Chariots of Fire* was nominated for seven Academy Awards and won four, including Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay and Best Original Score for Vangelis' electronic theme tune. At the 35th British Academy Film Awards, the film was nominated in eleven categories and won three, including Best Film. It is ranked 19th in the British Film Institute's list of Top 100 British films.

The film's title was inspired by the line "Bring me my Chariot of fire!" from the William Blake poem adapted into the British hymn and unofficial English anthem "Jerusalem"; the hymn is heard at the end of the film. The original phrase "chariot(s) of fire" is from 2 Kings 2:11 and 6:17 in the Bible.

## Shooting

* Filming was from April 15th, 1980 - June 21st, 1980.

## Cast

* Nicholas Farrell - Aubrey Montague
* Nigel Havers - Lord Andrew Lindsay
* Ian Charleson - Eric Liddell
* Ben Cross - Harold Abrahams
* Daniel Gerroll - Henry Stallard
* Ian Holm - Sam Mussabini
* John Gielgud - Master of Trinity (as Sir John Gielgud)
* Lindsay Anderson - Master of Caius
* Nigel Davenport - Lord Birkenhead
* Cheryl Campbell - Jennie Liddell
* Alice Krige - Sybil Gordon
* Dennis Christopher - Charley Paddock
* Brad Davis - Jackson Scholz
* Patrick Magee - Lord Cadogan
* Peter Egan - Duke of Sutherland
* Struan Rodger - Sandy McGrath
* David Yelland - Prince of Wales
* Yves Beneyton - George Andre
* Jeremy Sinden - Gilbert & Sullivan Society President
* Gordon Hammersley - Cambridge Athletic Club President
* Andrew Hawkins - Gilbert & Sullivan Society Secretary
* Richard Griffiths - Caius College Head Porter
* John Young - Reverend James Dunlop Liddell
* Benny Young - Rob Liddell
* Yvonne Gilan - Mrs. Liddell
* Jack Smethurst - Sleeping Car Attendant
* Gerry Slevin - Colonel John Keddie
* Peter Cellier - Head Waiter-Savoy
* Stephen Mallatratt - Tom Watson
* Colin Bruce - John Coard Taylor
* Alan Polonsky - Paxton
* Edward Wiley - Fitch
* Philip O'Brien - American Coach
* Ralph Lawton - Harbor Master
* John Rutland - Caius College Porter
* Alan Dudley - Caius College Manservant
* Tommy Boyle - Reporter
* Kim Clifford - Sybil's Maid
* Wallace Campbell - Highland Provost
* Patrick Doyle - Jimmie (as Pat Doyle)
* David John - Ernest Liddell
* Tess Dignan - Schoolgirl (as Teresa Dignan)
* Ruby Wax - Bunty
* Michael Jeyes - Footman
* David Kivlin - First Scots Boy
* Eddie Hughson - Second Scots Boy

**Rest of cast listed alphabetically:**

* Carl Beaumont - Round Headed Child (uncredited)
* Kenneth Branagh - Cambridge Student (Society Day crowd) (uncredited)
* Russell Brook - Train Passenger (uncredited)
* Lorraine Daniels - Pitti-Sing in 'The Mikado' (uncredited)
* Steven Ellison - Spectator at Olympics (uncredited)
* Mark English - Policeman (uncredited)
* Stephen Fry - Singer in 'H.M.S. Pinafore' (uncredited)
* Barrie Holland - University Professor (uncredited)
* Lew Hooper - Man at Funeral (uncredited)
* Stephen Marzella - Undergraduate (uncredited)
* Roberta Morrell - Peep-Bo in 'The Mikado' (uncredited)
* Robin Pappas - Clare (uncredited)
* Derek Pringle - Captain of Cambridge Athletic Team (uncredited)
* Ted Robbins - Shot-Putter (uncredited)
* Peter Ross-Murray - Race Spectator (uncredited)
* Guy Standeven - Lord Lindsay's Butler (uncredited)