Chariots of Fire (1981): Hugh Hudson’s Best Picture Oscar–Inspirational but Middlebrow, Heroic Message TV-Like Sports Tale, Starring Ian Charleson, Ben Cross, John Gielgud

Writer Colin Welland, who won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay, employs crosscutting to suggest the intersections between the lives of the two outsiders, when they meet and compete at the 1924 Olympics in Paris.

The most impressive thing about the movie is the lyrically photographed scenes of the runners striding through the surf in slow motion to the accompaniment of Vangelis’s stirring score.

True to his beliefs to the bitter end, the real-life Liddell became a Christian Missionary, before going to China, where he eventually died in a Japanese prisoner of war camp. For his part, Abrahams went on to become the spokesperson for English amateur athletics. He was knighted and died in 1978 as a respected statesman.

A bit calculated and manipulative, the Oscar-winning film was dismissed by some film critics as a piece of technological lyricism. Harsh reviewers claimed that the effects used by Hudson to make the viewers’ spirits soar are the very same effects that send us to the supermarket to shop.

Even so, the film is well-acted, particularly by its impressive supporting cast: Nigel havens, as Lord Andrew Lindsay; the always reliable Ian Holm as Sam Musabini; John Gielgud as the Master of Trinity, Lindsay Anderson (better known as a director) as the Master of Caius, and Nigel Davenport as Lord Birkenhead.

There are only two female parts in the basically male-dominated movie: Charyl Campbell as Jennie Liddell and Alice Krige as Sybil Gordon.

Detailed Plot

In 1919, Harold Abrahams (Ben Cross) enters Cambridge,  where he experiences anti-Semitism from the staff, while enjoying his membership in the Gilbert and Sullivan club. The first person to complete the Trinity Great Court Run, Abrahams achieves success in national running competitions, while courting Sybil (Alice Krige), a Gilbert and Sullivan soprano.

In a parallel story in Scotland, Eric Liddell (Ian Charleson), is born in China of Scottish missionary parents, but his devout sister Jennie (Cheryl Campbell) disapproves of his plan to pursue competitive sports.  Liddell sees running as a way of glorifying God before returning to China as a missionary.

When they first race against each other, Liddell beats Abrahams. Abrahams takes it poorly, but Sam Mussabini (Ian Holm), a professional trainer, offers to help him improve his skills. The Cambridge College masters (John Gielgud and Lindsay Anderson) are critical, claiming that it’s not gentlemanly for an amateur to “play the tradesman” by using professional coach. Abrahams thinks their attitude is a cover for anti-Semitism and class superiority.

When Liddell misses a church meeting because of his running, his sister Jennie is uspet. For his part, Liddell insists that he feels divinely inspired when running, and that not to run would be to dishonor God: “I believe that God made me for a purpose. But He also made me fast, and when I run, I feel His pleasure.”

The two athletes, after years of racing, are chosen to represent Britain in Paris 1924 Olympics. Also accepted are Abrahams’ Cambridge friends, Lord Andrew Lindsay (Nigel Havers), Aubrey Montague (Nicholas Farrell), and Henry Stallard (Daniel Gerroll). When Liddell learns that his 100 meter race will be on a Sunday, he refuses to run, despite pressure from the Prince of Wales and the British Olympic committee.

Liddell’s teammate Lindsay, having already won a silver medal in the 400 meter hurdles, offers to yield his place in his race on Thursday to Liddell. Liddel’s religious convictions make headlines around the world.  Liddell delivers a sermon at the Paris Church of Scotland that Sunday, and quotes from Isaiah 40, ending with:  But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”

Abrahams, beaten by the U.S. runners in the 200 meter race, realizes that his last chance for a medal will be the 100 meters.  He competes in the race and wins god medal, delighting his coach Sam Mussabini, and allowing him to reunite with Sybil.

The American coach feels that Liddell has little chance of doing well in his far longer 400 meter race, but one of the American runners, Jackson Scholz, hands Liddell a note of support for his convictions. Liddell defeats the American and wins the gold medal.

The postscript informs that Abrahams married Sybil and became the elder statesman of British athletics, and that Liddell did missionary work in China, where he died in 1945 during the Japanese occupation.

Oscar Nominations: 7

Picture, produced by David Puttnam

Director: Hugh Hudson

Screenplay (Original): Colin Welland

Supporting Actor: Ian Holm

Film Editing: Terry Rawlings

Costume design: Milena Canonero

Original Score: Vangelis

Oscar Awards: 4

Picture

Screenplay

Costume Design

Original Score

Oscar Context

In 1981, “Chariots of Fire,” was the surprise winner of the Best Picture Oscar, with 7 nominations and four awards. The other four nominees were (alphabetically): Louis Malle’s “Atlantic City,” The schmaltzy family saga “On Golden Pod,” Warren Beatty’s semi-successful epic “Reds,” which received the largest number of nominations (12), and Spielberg’s nostalgic but well executed adventure “Raiders of the Lost Ark.”

Cast

Harold Abrahams (Ben Cross)

Eric Liddell (Ian Charleston)

Lord Andrew lindsay (Nigel Havers

Aubrey Montague (Nicholas Farrell)

Sam Mussabini (Ian Holm)

Master of Trinity (John Gielgud)

Master of Caius (Lindsay Anderson)

Lord Brikenhead (Nigel Davenport)

Jenny LIddel (Cheryl Campbell)

Sybil Gordon (Alice Krige)

Credits

Warner (Enigma Productions/The Ladd Company)

Running time: 123 Minutes