Two British track athletes, one a determined Jew and the other a devout Christian, are driven to win in the 1924 Olympics as they wrestle with issues of pride and conscience.Two British track athletes, one a determined Jew and the other a devout Christian, are driven to win in the 1924 Olympics as they wrestle with issues of pride and conscience.Two British track athletes, one a determined Jew and the other a devout Christian, are driven to win in the 1924 Olympics as they wrestle with issues of pride and conscience.
- Won 4 Oscars
- 18 wins & 19 nominations total
John Gielgud
- Master of Trinity
- (as Sir John Gielgud)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
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Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaEric Liddell was born in China, where his parents were missionaries. He returned as a missionary. During the Japanese occupation of China, he was taken into the Japanese Weihsien Internment Camp, where he died from a brain tumor just before the camp was liberated.
- GoofsWhen signing an autograph for a young fan, Eric Liddell does not unscrew or remove any cap from the pen he uses. As all fountain pens have caps, he seems to be using a modern day ballpoint pen which was not invented until 1938.
- Quotes
Eric Liddell: I believe God made me for a purpose - but He also made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure.
- Alternate versionsThere is at least one slightly different version of the movie, issued in Europe on homevideo. The beginning is different - shorter - and introduces Harold Abrahams while playing cricket with his colleagues. The scene in the train station, where Monty meets Harold is absent, as well as the loading of the baggage in the taxi they share. We simply see Monty writing a letter to his parents, mentioning that "Harold is as intense as ever" (cut to the cricket scene, maybe 30 seconds long), and then continues with "I remember our first day... we shared a taxi together" (cut to the two students unloading their stuff from the car). This alternate version also have slightly different end credits, and does not mention Harold marrying Sybil. The differences are minor (the U.S. version provides a more shocking memento of WWI, when it shows crippled baggage handlers in the station); one of the reasons the cricket scene was dropped in favour of the station one was due to the distributor's worry that the American market would not understand it.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Vangelis: Chariots of Fire (1981)
- SoundtracksHe is an Englishman
(1878) (uncredited)
from "H.M.S. Pinafore"
Music by Arthur Sullivan
Lyrics by W.S. Gilbert
Featured review
'tis been said that this movie is loved or hated, no middle ground.
I believe I know why.
It touches the most fundamental instincts and feelings in all of us.
The question it compels us to ask is, "Do I have a piece of greatness to offer to the world"?
Those of us who would answer yes, whether we believe is achievable or not, would love this movie, because it epitomizes the potential of our dreams, not just in running, but in any walk of life.
Those of us who would answer no, would hate this movie, because it highlights our acceptance of mediocrity, and of surrendered dreams.
Also, this movie touches those who have succeeded also.
It shows that there are two ways to succeed, the one not shown in the movie, and the one shown.
The one not shown is the one that motivates most truly successful people today. win at any cost, in sports, business, etc. and the consequences be damned.
The way to succeed shown in Chariots of Fire is probably naive by today's standards, but nonetheless noble and uplifting.
It tells us that success achieved through dedication, commitment, honesty and sacrifice is the noblest achievement a person can attain, and provides examples for others to emulate.
Liddell and Abrahams are not examples for runners, they are examples for people, true heroes of the spirit, not sport.
An unforgettable phrase, a torch to some and a knife to others,
" So where does the power to succeed come from?... It comes from within"
Those of us who have it, love it, those of us who do not have it, hate it.
If I live to be 100, I will still have my dreams stirred back to life by the message in this film
I believe I know why.
It touches the most fundamental instincts and feelings in all of us.
The question it compels us to ask is, "Do I have a piece of greatness to offer to the world"?
Those of us who would answer yes, whether we believe is achievable or not, would love this movie, because it epitomizes the potential of our dreams, not just in running, but in any walk of life.
Those of us who would answer no, would hate this movie, because it highlights our acceptance of mediocrity, and of surrendered dreams.
Also, this movie touches those who have succeeded also.
It shows that there are two ways to succeed, the one not shown in the movie, and the one shown.
The one not shown is the one that motivates most truly successful people today. win at any cost, in sports, business, etc. and the consequences be damned.
The way to succeed shown in Chariots of Fire is probably naive by today's standards, but nonetheless noble and uplifting.
It tells us that success achieved through dedication, commitment, honesty and sacrifice is the noblest achievement a person can attain, and provides examples for others to emulate.
Liddell and Abrahams are not examples for runners, they are examples for people, true heroes of the spirit, not sport.
An unforgettable phrase, a torch to some and a knife to others,
" So where does the power to succeed come from?... It comes from within"
Those of us who have it, love it, those of us who do not have it, hate it.
If I live to be 100, I will still have my dreams stirred back to life by the message in this film
- How long is Chariots of Fire?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- Die Stunde des Siegers
- Filming locations
- The Oval Sports Centre, Bebington, Merseyside, England, UK(Olympic Stadium)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $5,500,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $58,972,904
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $68,907
- Sep 27, 1981
- Gross worldwide
- $59,317,376
- Runtime2 hours 5 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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