Chariots of Fire

Chariots of Fire is the 1981 movie about two British runners in the 1924 Olympics: devout Christian Eric Liddell and Jew Harold Abrahams.  The former runs to the glory of God; the latter to prove himself.  Both approaches are examined in the film.

For Eric, it was all about God.  He was an excellent runner, and was told: "You're the proud possessor of many gifts, and its your sacred duty to put them to good use . . . Run in God's name, and let the world stand back and wonder."  He would do so- but he was conflicted, also feeling the call to be a missionary in China.  He'd solve the dilemma: "I believe that God made me for a purpose.  For China.  But he also made me fast, and when I run, I feel his pleasure.  To give that up would be to hold him in contempt."  And so he first focuses on the 1924 Olympics- but there's a problem.  The heats for his preferred race (100m) is on a Sunday- and he refuses to run on the Sabbath.  He thus changes to the 400m- a race he's not likely to win- and is victorious anyway (he set a world record, in fact).

For Harold, it was all about proving worth.  As a Jew, he was subject to frequent discrimination, and running made him feel worthy.  He's used to winning; in the film, his loss (early on to Liddell) was met with shock and fury.  He'd go on to win the 100m event at the Olympics. 

Harold's worth is bound in his achievement, while Liddell's achievements are because he was made worthy by God.  It's a notable difference, and produces two remarkably different temperaments.  Liddell would die in 1945 in occupied China of an illness at the end of WWII.

I got to see the film (again) on a plane; it had been years, but it's held up well.  The music is undoubtedly early '80s (heavy on the electronic sounds) but good nonetheless; the story is excellent and message right on.  Check this one out.

Rating: A