
Chariots of Fire
1981, Drama, 2h 3m
74 Reviews 25,000+ RatingsWhat to know
critics consensus
Decidedly slower and less limber than the Olympic runners at the center of its story, the film nevertheless manages to make effectively stirring use of its spiritual and patriotic themes. Read critic reviews
You might also like

Magnificent Obsession

Born Free

Cleopatra

Her Majesty, Mrs. Brown

Pocketful of Miracles
Where to watch
Chariots of Fire Photos
Movie Info
In the class-obsessed and religiously divided United Kingdom of the early 1920s, two determined young runners train for the 1924 Paris Olympics. Eric Liddell (Ian Charleson), a devout Christian born to Scottish missionaries in China, sees running as part of his worship of God's glory and refuses to train or compete on the Sabbath. Harold Abrahams (Ben Cross) overcomes anti-Semitism and class bias, but neglects his beloved sweetheart Sybil (Alice Krige) in his single-minded quest.
Cast & Crew
Ben Cross
Harold M. Abrahams
Harold M. Abrahams
Ian Charleson
Eric Liddell
Eric Liddell
John Gielgud
Master of Trinity (as Sir John Gielgud)
Master of Trinity (as Sir John Gielgud)
Nigel Havers
Lord Andrew Lindsay
Lord Andrew Lindsay
Nicholas Farrell
Aubrey Montague
Aubrey Montague
Ian Holm
Sam Mussabini
Sam Mussabini
Critic Reviews for Chariots of Fire
Audience Reviews for Chariots of Fire
-
Jun 09, 2016It is certainly overrated and doesn't justify the many Oscars it won/was nominated to, but still it is technically competent (especially Vangelis' music and the film's editing) even if it is also a bit too conventional and slows down in its second half almost to the speed of a turtle.Carlos M Super Reviewer
-
May 13, 2013Depth is all you can count on for this historical drama to move you, religious or not.Max G Super Reviewer
-
Nov 07, 2012Okay, so I'm superficial, but the CLOTHES in this movie are breathtaking! As are all the vehicles--cars with wood paneling, sleeper cars in trains with same paneling and little servants who bring tea to that same sleeper car to wake you. It made me long for a world I've experienced only on PBS mini-series and made me long to dress like they do in this movie although I would probably be considered mad. Several social points I thought were brilliantly conveyed: the idea of immigrant as striver; the idea that aristocracy actually loathes outstanding achievement (the gentleman's C--see George W. Bush and all the Kennedys' report cards from Harvard and Yale); and the notion of sports--in this case field and track--as a physical way to prove something about your character, which must be why people get so upset when professional athletes do something that mars that character like take PEDs or give in to carnal urges. One particularly telling moment about class: the Prince of Wales invites the American runner (who is obviously of his class) to lunch at his club, but tells Abrahamson to "do your best, that's all anyone can expect." I found it actually chilling.Bathsheba M Super Reviewer
-
Nov 02, 2012On one hand soapy and fraught with bathos, on another superbly acted. And the music is pretty terrible in a modern context. But chariots of fire DOES work and is a pleasure to watch, albeit sprinkled with some intermittent grimaces.Jeff L Super Reviewer
Verified