Chariots of Fire (1981)

I've always been a fan of "Chariots of Fire." I like it, a lot. Now, is it the best of 1981, as the Oscars named it? Not by a long shot. "Raiders of the Lost Ark" has that crown no doubt. But, "Chariots" is good, and it takes on two subjects widely ignored by Hollywood: religion and how one who is religious deals with glory.

Before I go on, let me say that "Chariots" has a huge spot in my heart: The last time I saw either of my grandfathers alive, I kid you not, both men were watching these movies. One in 1983, and the other in 2004. I can't explain it, but it's true.

The film focuses on two Brits competing in the 1924 Olympic track-and-field events, one a devout Scottish Christian named Eric Liddell (Ian Charleson) and the other a devout Jew named Harold Abrahams (Ben Cross). Liddell hails from a missionary family and believes his gift of speed comes from God, and that when he races, he glorifies his Master. Abrahams is the son of a banker and is wealthy for it, but still feels marginalized by the WASP culture of England. Both want gold. The crux of each man: Liddell will not run on the Sabbath, even if it means trashing Oscar glory; Abrahams wants to out run everyone to prove his race is not inferior, but he's not as fast as Liddell.

The film is told in flashbacks within flashbacks and that throws the viewer a curve ball at first, but the framing works. As the film opens, we are at the funeral of Abrahams in the late 1970s and then bounce backward to the 1920s for the famous scene of a few dozen men dressed in white t-shirts and shorts, running on the beach. Vangelis' music in this scene has been played to death, ridiculed and turned cliched, but it works. We then bounce back to 1918, post World War I, to Cambridge college students that include Abrahams and Scottish rurals that include Liddell. We finally work forward to 1924 as Abrahams and Liddell take their separate paths to glory. Whew.

The beauty of this film is in its simplicity, watching two devout men of different religions grapple with their faith and their personal glory is a rare experience. There's no conspiracy nor do terrorists or space aliens appear. The men are devout to family, to God and achieving their best. They are not loons, nor are they greedy or violent. That the film was produced by Muslim Dodi Fayed, who one day would die in a car accident with Princess Di, adds more layers to the film. I also love the editing and build up of the races throughout the film because they seek the viewpoint and memory of what it must be like to be the runner in an Olympian competition. I love the scenes of the man digging with spades to form holes to launch themselves on the track, and of necklaces dangling. Those represent the small details that must stick with an athlete as he goes back over the race in his or her head.

It's a well told tale, but not perfect. I still hate how easily the controversy over Liddell not running on Sunday is solved, and most of the supporting players are ironed flat of personality. Also a few too many guest star spots mean ... nothing. Still, it's a beautiful, well told film. Mind you, it's no "Raiders of the Lost Ark." A-