- For the instrumental theme see Chariots of Fire (instrumental). " Chariots of Fire " is an Instrumental theme written and recorded by Vangelis for the soundtrack of the 1981 film of the same name
| Chariots of Fire | |
|---|---|
 Film Poster |
|
| Directed by | Hugh Hudson |
| Produced by | David Puttnam Jake Eberts (executive producer) Dodi Fayed (executive producer) James Crawford (associate producer) |
| Written by | Colin Welland |
| Starring | Ben Cross Ian Charleson Nigel Havers Cheryl Campbell Alice Krige |
| Music by | Vangelis (as Vangelis Papathanassiou) |
| Cinematography | David Watkin |
| Editing by | Terry Rawlings |
| Distributed by | - USA - Warner Bros. The Ladd Company - non-USA - 20th Century Fox |
| Release date(s) |  March, 1981 9 October 1981 |
| Running time | 123 min |
| Country | |
| Language | English, French |
| Budget | $5,500,000 |
| Allmovie profile | |
| IMDb profile | |
Chariots of Fire is a British film released in 1981. Hugh Hudson (born 25 August 1936) is an British Academy Award -nominated Film director. David Terence Puttnam Baron Puttnam, CBE, FRSA, (born 25 February 1941 is a film producer and politician Jake Eberts (born July 10 1941 is a movie producer executive and financier Emad El-Din Mohamed Abdel Moneim Fayed ( Arabic عماد الدين محمد عبد المنعم الفايد) ( April 15, 1955 &ndash James Crawford may refer to James Crawford (basketball (born 1960 American basketball player played in the National Basketball League of Australia Colin Welland (born 4 July 1934 in Newton-le-Willows, Lancashire) is an English Actor and Screenwriter. Ben Cross (born Harry Bernard Cross on December 16, 1947 in London) is an English Actor of the stage and screen best Ian Charleson ( August 11 1949 &ndash January 6 1990) was a Scottish Actor in whose honour The Ian Charleson Awards were Nigel Allan Havers (born 6 November, 1951 in London) is a BAFTA nominated English Actor. Cheryl Campbell (born 22 May 1949, St Albans, Hertfordshire, England in is an English actress of stage, Film Alice Maud Krige (born 28 June 1954 is a South African actress known for introducing the role of the Borg Queen in the motion picture Star Trek Evangelos Odysseas Papathanassiou (Born March 29, 1943 in Volos, Greece) ( Greek: Ευάγγελος Οδυσσέας Παπαθανασίου David Watkin ( 23 March 1925 &ndash 19 February 2008) was an influential British Cinematographer, an innovator who Terry Rawlings (born 1933 in London England) is a Film editor and Sound editor with several BAFTA nominations and one Academy Warner Bros Entertainment Inc (or Warner Bros, Warner Bros Pictures) is one of the world's largest producers of Film and The Ladd Company is a film production and distribution company founded by Alan Ladd Jr Events January 19 - Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer acquires beleaguered concurrent United Artists. Events 768 - Carloman I and Charlemagne are crowned Kings of The Franks. Year 1981 ( MCMLXXXI) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays the 1981 The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located Events January 19 - Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer acquires beleaguered concurrent United Artists. Written by Colin Welland and directed by Hugh Hudson, it is based on the true story of British athletes preparing for and competing in the 1924 Summer Olympics. Colin Welland (born 4 July 1934 in Newton-le-Willows, Lancashire) is an English Actor and Screenwriter. Hugh Hudson (born 25 August 1936) is an British Academy Award -nominated Film director. The 1924 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the VIII Olympiad, were an International Multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1924 in The film was nominated for seven Academy Awards and won four, including Best Picture. "The Oscar" redirects here for the film see The Oscar (film. The Academy Award for Best Motion Picture is one of the Awards of Merit presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS to artists working
The title is a quotation from the hymn Jerusalem which is a setting of a poem by William Blake. A hymn is a type of Song, usually religious specifically written for the purpose of praise adoration or Prayer, and typically addressed to a deity/deities " And did those feet in ancient time " is a short Poem by William Blake from the preface to his epic Milton a Poem (1804 William Blake (28 November 1757 – 12 August 1827 was an English poet, painter, and Printmaker. The film's working title was "Running" until Welland saw the scene with the singing of the hymn and decided to change the title. A hymn is a type of Song, usually religious specifically written for the purpose of praise adoration or Prayer, and typically addressed to a deity/deities
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Synopsis
The movie is based on the true story of two British athletes competing in the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris. The 1924 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the VIII Olympiad, were an International Multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1924 in Paris (ˈpærɨs in English; in French) is the Capital of France and the country's largest city Englishman Harold Abrahams (Ben Cross), who is Jewish, overcomes anti-Semitism and class prejudice in order to compete against the "Flying Scotsman", Eric Liddell (Ian Charleson), in the 100 metre race. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland Harold Maurice Abrahams, CBE ( December 15, 1899 &ndash January 14, 1978) was a British athlete. Ben Cross (born Harry Bernard Cross on December 16, 1947 in London) is an English Actor of the stage and screen best PLEASE TAKE NOTE************ Antisemitism (alternatively spelled anti-semitism or anti-Semitism; also rarely known as judeophobia) is the Prejudice against or hostility Eric Henry Liddell ( January 16, 1902 – February 21, 1945) was a Scottish athlete and Rugby Union international Ian Charleson ( August 11 1949 &ndash January 6 1990) was a Scottish Actor in whose honour The Ian Charleson Awards were
In 1919, Abrahams enters Cambridge University. The University of Cambridge (often Cambridge University) located in Cambridge, England, is the second-oldest university in the He attempts and succeeds at the Trinity Great Court run, which involves running around the court before the clock finishes striking 12. Great Court is the main court of Trinity College Cambridge, and reputed to be the largest enclosed court in Europe For alternative meanings of the word "court" see Court (disambiguation. Meanwhile, Liddell sees running as a way of glorifying God before traveling to China to work as a missionary. China ( Wade-Giles ( Mandarin) Chung¹kuo² is a cultural region, an ancient Civilization, and depending on perspective a National He represents Scotland against Ireland, and preaches a sermon on "Life as a race" afterwards.
At their first meeting, Liddell shakes Abrahams' hand to wish him well, then beats him in a race. Abrahams takes it badly, but Sam Mussabini (Ian Holm), a professional trainer that he had approached earlier, offers to take him on to improve his technique. Scipio Africanus 'Sam' Mussabini (1867-1927 was the athletics coach made famous as the coach of Harold Abrahams. Sir Ian Holm CBE (born 12 September, 1931) is an English award-winning Actor known for his stage work and for many film roles However, this attracts criticism from the college authorities.
Eric's sister Jennie (Cheryl Campbell) worries he is too busy running to concern himself with their mission, but Eric tells her he feels inspired: "I believe that God made me for a purpose. Cheryl Campbell (born 22 May 1949, St Albans, Hertfordshire, England in is an English actress of stage, Film . . (the mission), but He also made me fast, and when I run, I feel His pleasure. "
Despite pressure from the Prince of Wales and the British Olympic committee, Liddell refuses to run a heat of the 100 metres at the Olympics because his Christian convictions prevent him from running on Sunday. Christianity ( Greek Χριστιανισμός from the word Xριστός ( Christ)is a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings In Christianity, the Sabbath is generally a weekly religious Day of rest as ordained by one of the Ten Commandments (the third by Roman Catholic To remedy the sensitive issue, his teammate Lord Andrew Lindsey (Nigel Havers) proposes to trade places with Liddell so that Lindsey would represent Great Britain in the 100m, while Liddell would instead compete in the 400 metre race on the following Thursday, thus averting his need to run on Sunday. Nigel Allan Havers (born 6 November, 1951 in London) is a BAFTA nominated English Actor. 400 m is a common Track running event It is the longest common sprint distance Liddell at church on Sunday is seen quoting Isaiah 40, verse 31:
'But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and be not weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah (; Greek:, Ēsaiās; Arabic: اشعیاء, Ash-ee-yaa; "Salvation of/is YHWH " is '
The story compares the similar athletic experiences of Abrahams and Liddell while portraying their vastly different characters and reactions to adversity.
Historical accuracy
This very successful film is centred on Abrahams, and, to maintain this focus many historical incidents have been misrepresented. Eton College, or just Eton, is a world-famous British Independent school for boys founded in 1440 by King Henry VI.
One scene in the film recreates a race in which the runners attempt to run round the perimeter of the Great Court at Trinity College, Cambridge in the time it takes the clock to strike 12 at midday. Great Court is the main court of Trinity College Cambridge, and reputed to be the largest enclosed court in Europe Trinity College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge in Cambridge, England. The film shows the race happening at Caius College, and Abrahams performing the feat for the first time in history. Gonville and Caius College Cambridge is a constituent College of Cambridge University, one of the world's most academically respected institutions In fact, the only people known to have succeeded are Lord Burghley in 1927 and Sam Dobin in 2007 in a recorded time of 42. David George Brownlow Cecil 6th Marquess of Exeter KCMG ( 9 February 1905 &ndash 22 October 1981) styled Lord Burghley 77s.
The film omits the fact that it was Liddell who introduced Abrahams to Sam Mussabini[1]. Scipio Africanus 'Sam' Mussabini (1867-1927 was the athletics coach made famous as the coach of Harold Abrahams.
In the film, Liddell is tripped up by a Frenchman in the 400 metre event of a Scotland–France international athletic meeting. Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. He recovers, makes up a 20 metre deficit, and wins. This was based on fact, though his achievement was in fact even greater, as he had already won the 100- and 220-yard events that day. [2]
A major historical inaccuracy surrounds Liddell's refusal to race on a Sunday. In the film, he only learns on boarding the boat to Paris that one of the heats is to be held on ‘The Sabbath’. In fact, the schedule was made public several months in advance, and Liddell spent the remaining months training for the 400 metres, an event in which he had previously excelled.
In the film, the 100m bronze medallist is a fictional character called 'Tom Watson'; the real medallist was Arthur Porritt of New Zealand, who refused permission for his name to be used in the film, allegedly out of modesty[3]. Arthur Espie Porritt Baron Porritt, Bt, GCMG, GCVO, CBE ( August 10, 1900 &ndash January 1, 1994 New Zealand is an Island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses (the North Island and the South Island
The character of Lord Lindsay is loosely based on Lord Burghley, who was in reality eliminated in the heats of 110 metre hurdles in the 1924 Olympics. David George Brownlow Cecil 6th Marquess of Exeter KCMG ( 9 February 1905 &ndash 22 October 1981) styled Lord Burghley He did not give up his place in the 400 metres for Liddell. He went on to become a major figure in athletics, winning gold in the 1928 Olympics and organizing the London 1948 Olympics. The 1928 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the IX Olympiad, was an International Multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1928 The 1948 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XIV Olympiad, were an International Multi-sport event which was held in London The name-change was in deference to his wishes; it is thought he resented the misrepresentation of his Trinity Court record; he refused to watch the film, and died in the year it was made.
The film does not mention the further exploits of the protagonists at the Olympics. After winning the 100 metres, Abrahams also reached the final of the 200 metres but finished last. A 200 metre race is a sprint running event On an outdoor 400 m track the race begins on the curve and ends on the home straight so a combination of techniques are needed to This is hinted at in the film during the athletic montage which accompanies Liddell's Sunday sermon in Paris, with Mussabini scolding Abrahams ("Juvenile!") for rocking backward at the start; and, during the scene where Abrahams speaks with his friend Montague ("You are my most complete man") while receiving a massage from Mussabini, there is a French newspaper clipping showing Scholz and Paddock with a headline which, when translated, states that the 200 metres was a triumph for the United States. In the same conversation, Abrahams laments getting "beaten out of sight" in the 200.
Eric Liddell also ran in the 200 m and finished third (behind Paddock and gold medal winner Jackson Scholz). Jackson Volney Scholz ( March 15, 1897 &ndash October 26, 1986) was an American track and field athlete who specialized (This was the only time that Liddell and Abrahams competed in the same race. Their meeting in the 1923 AAA Championship in the film was fictitious, though Liddell's win spurred Abrahams to train even harder[4]. The Amateur Athletic Association of England (formerly simply the Amateur Athletic Association) or AAA (pronounced 'three As' is the oldest athletics organization ) As an opening runner for the 4 x 100 metres relay team, Abrahams won a silver medal (see article on 1924 Olympics. The 4 × 100 metres relay or sprint relay is an athletics track event run in lanes over one lap of the track with four runners completing 100 meters A Silver medal is a Medal awarded to the second place finisher of contests (typically athletics competitions such as the Olympic Games, The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland competed as 'Great Britain and Ireland' at the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris, France. )
Whilst the Ivatt's Atlantic type locomotive in the livery of the former Great Northern Railway hauling the sleeping car train in 1923 is plausible despite the Great Northern having become part of the London and North Eastern Railway under the railway grouping of that year, the former South Eastern and Chatham Railway D class in the pre First World War livery of the company at the head of the boat train at the end of the film is very unlikely. A D class locomotive could have hauled the train in 1924, but assuming that it had not been repainted into the livery of the Southern Railway to which the South Eastern and Chatham had become part of under the railway it would most likely to have been painted the grey livery which was adopted by the South Eastern and Chatham at the beginning of the First World War. However one must accept that a railway engine could not be temporarily repainted for a film.
Production details
Filming locations
The famous beach scenes associated with the theme tune were filmed at West Sands, St. Andrews (the last scene of the opening titles crosses the 1st and 18th holes at St. Andrews Golf Course); a plaque commemorating the filming can be found there today. St Andrews (Cill Rìmhinn is a Town and former Royal burgh on the east coast of Fife, Scotland. The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews is one of the oldest and most prestigious Golf clubs in the world with the oldest being the Honourable Company of Edinburgh The scene at Trinity College, Cambridge was actually filmed at Eton College. Trinity College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge in Cambridge, England. Eton College, or just Eton, is a world-famous British Independent school for boys founded in 1440 by King Henry VI. The Colombes Olympic Stadium was represented by The Oval Sports Centre, Bebington, Merseyside. Colombes is a commune in the northwestern suburbs of Paris, France. The Stade Olympique Yves-du-Manoir in Colombes, near Paris, France (also known as the Stade Olympique de Colombes, or simply Colombes Bebington is a small town and electoral ward within the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral, in Merseyside, England. Merseyside is a Metropolitan county in North West England, with a population of 1365900 The nearby Woodside ferry terminal was used to represent the scenes set in Dover. Woodside is a small riverside locality in Birkenhead, on the Wirral Peninsula, Merseyside, England, situated almost Dover is a town and major ferry port in the county of Kent, England. Other scenes were filmed at Birchington, Kent. Birchington-on-Sea is a village in northeast Kent, England, with a population of around 9800 KENT (1400 AM) is a Radio station broadcasting a Adult Standards/MOR format A scene depicting a performance of The Mikado was filmed in the Savoy Theatre with members of the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company, which lead to a small inaccuracy-the costumes worn by the performers were designed several years after the historical events depicted in the film. The Mikado, or The Town of Titipu, is a Comic opera in two acts with music by Arthur Sullivan and Libretto by W The Savoy Theatre is a West End theatre located in the Strand in the City of Westminster, London England D'Oyly Carte Opera Company staged performances of Gilbert and Sullivan 's Savoy Operas in the UK Europe North America South Africa Australia and elsewhere from the
Music
Although the film is a period piece, set in the 1920s, the Academy Award-winning original soundtrack composed by Vangelis uses a modern, 1980's electronic sound with a strong use of synthesizer and piano among other instruments. Chariots of Fire is a musical score by Greek electronic composer and artist Vangelis (credited as Vangelis Papathanassiou for the British film "The Oscar" redirects here for the film see The Oscar (film. Evangelos Odysseas Papathanassiou (Born March 29, 1943 in Volos, Greece) ( Greek: Ευάγγελος Οδυσσέας Παπαθανασίου The piano is a Musical instrument played by means of a keyboard that produces sound by striking steel strings with Felt covered hammers This was a bold and significant departure from earlier period films which employed sweeping orchestral instrumentals.
The title theme of the film has become iconic and has been used in subsequent films and television shows during slow-motion. " Chariots of Fire " is an Instrumental theme written and recorded by Vangelis for the soundtrack of the 1981 film of the same name Slow motion is a technique in film-making whereby Time appears to be slowed down
The film also incorporates a traditional work: a British choir singing "Jerusalem" at the 1978 funeral of Harold Abrahams, the event which bookends and presumably inspired the making of the film. " And did those feet in ancient time " is a short Poem by William Blake from the preface to his epic Milton a Poem (1804 Gilbert and Sullivan also features heavily. Gilbert and Sullivan refers to the Victorian era partnership of Librettist W
Chariots of fire
Cast
Starring
- Ben Cross - Harold Abrahams
- Ian Charleson - Eric Liddell
- Nigel Havers - Lord Andrew Lindsay, loosely based on Lord Burghley, who did not consent to his name being used in the film. Ben Cross (born Harry Bernard Cross on December 16, 1947 in London) is an English Actor of the stage and screen best Harold Maurice Abrahams, CBE ( December 15, 1899 &ndash January 14, 1978) was a British athlete. Ian Charleson ( August 11 1949 &ndash January 6 1990) was a Scottish Actor in whose honour The Ian Charleson Awards were Eric Henry Liddell ( January 16, 1902 – February 21, 1945) was a Scottish athlete and Rugby Union international Nigel Allan Havers (born 6 November, 1951 in London) is a BAFTA nominated English Actor. David George Brownlow Cecil 6th Marquess of Exeter KCMG ( 9 February 1905 &ndash 22 October 1981) styled Lord Burghley
- Cheryl Campbell - Jennie Liddell
- Alice Krige - Sybil Gordon, Abrahams's wife (her actual name was Sybil Evers)
Supporting Cast
- Lindsay Anderson - The Master of Caius
- Dennis Christopher - American sprinter Charlie Paddock
- Nigel Davenport - Lord Birkenhead
- Brad Davis - American sprinter Jackson Scholz
- Peter Egan - The Duke of Sutherland
- Sir John Gielgud - The Master of Trinity (J. J. Thomson)
- Sir Ian Holm - Sam Mussabini, Abrahams's coach
- Patrick Magee - Lord Cadogan
- Nicholas Farrell - Aubrey Montague
- Daniel Gerroll - Henry Stallard
- Struan Rodger - Sandy McGrath
- David Yelland - The Prince of Wales
- Yves Beneyton - George Andre
- Jeremy Sinden - President of the Gilbert & Sullivan Society
- Gordon Hammersley - President of the Cambridge Athletic Club
- Andrew Hawkins - Secretary of the Gilbert & Sullivan Society
- Richard Griffiths - Head Porter of Caius
- John Young - The Reverend J. Cheryl Campbell (born 22 May 1949, St Albans, Hertfordshire, England in is an English actress of stage, Film Alice Maud Krige (born 28 June 1954 is a South African actress known for introducing the role of the Borg Queen in the motion picture Star Trek Lindsay Gordon Anderson ( April 17 1923 — August 30 1994) was an Indian born English Feature film, Theatre Gonville and Caius College Cambridge is a constituent College of Cambridge University, one of the world's most academically respected institutions Dennis Christopher (born Dennis Carrelli on December 2, 1955) is an American actor Charles ("Charlie" William Paddock ( August 11, 1900 &ndash July 21, 1943) was an American athlete and twofold Nigel Davenport (born 23 May 1928) is an English stage television and film actor Frederick Edwin Smith 1st Earl of Birkenhead, GCSI, PC ( 12 July 1872 – 30 September 1930) was a British Brad Davis ( November 6, 1949 - September 8, 1991) was an American actor best known for his role in the 1978 film Midnight Jackson Volney Scholz ( March 15, 1897 &ndash October 26, 1986) was an American track and field athlete who specialized Peter Egan (born 28 September 1946) is a British actor known for playing smooth neighbour Paul Ryman in 1980s sitcom Ever Decreasing Circles George Granville Sutherland-Leveson-Gower 5th Duke of Sutherland, PC, KT ( August 29 1888 &ndash February 1 1963) was the Sir Arthur John Gielgud, OM, CH ( 14 April, 1904 – 21 May 2000) known as Sir John Gielgud, was an Trinity College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge in Cambridge, England. Sir Joseph John “JJ” Thomson, OM, FRS (18 December 1856 &ndash 30 August 1940 was a British Physicist and Nobel laureate Sir Ian Holm CBE (born 12 September, 1931) is an English award-winning Actor known for his stage work and for many film roles Scipio Africanus 'Sam' Mussabini (1867-1927 was the athletics coach made famous as the coach of Harold Abrahams. Patrick Magee ( 31 March 1922 – 14 August 1982) was a Northern Irish Tony Award -winning actor best known for his collaborations with Gerald Oakley Cadogan 6th Earl Cadogan ( 28 May 1869 - 4 October 1933) Nicholas Farrell (born 1955 is an English stage, Film and Television Actor. Daniel Gerroll (born October 16, 1951) is a British Theatre, Television, and Film Actor. Hyla Bristow "Henry" Stallard ( 28 April 1901 – 21 October 1973) was a British athlete who competed mainly in the Struan Rodger (born 1956) is a British actor who has appeared widely in a range of supporting roles since 1971 David Yelland is an English actor He portrayed Edward VIII in Chariots of Fire, and most recently played Ralph Nickleby in a revival of the play Jeremy Sinden was an English actor Early Life He was born into a theatrical family both his parents were actors Gilbert and Sullivan refers to the Victorian era partnership of Librettist W Gordon Hammersley was a British Actor with a fine voice and striking Stage presence who performed at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre before Richard Griffiths OBE (born July 31, 1947) is an English Tony award -winning Actor who has appeared on stage, John Young ( 16 June 1916 – 30 October 1996) was a Scottish actor D. Liddell
- Benny Young - Rob Liddell
- Yvonne Gilan - Mrs Liddell
- Jack Smethurst - Sleeping car attendant
- Gerry Slevin - Colonel John Keddie
- Peter Cellier - Head waiter at the Savoy
- Stephen Mallatratt - Watson, based on Arthur Porritt
- Ruby Wax - American in audience, called "Bunty" in the credits. Jack Smethurst (born 9 April, 1932 in Collyhurst, Manchester) is an English TV and film comic actor of the 1950s 60s 70s 80s and Peter Cellier (born 1928 is an English actor who has appeared in film stage and television The Savoy Hotel is a five-star Hotel located on the Strand, in the City of Westminster in Central London that opened on August Stephen Mallatratt ( 15 June 1947, Mill Hill, London - 22 November 2004) was an English playwright and television screenwriter Arthur Espie Porritt Baron Porritt, Bt, GCMG, GCVO, CBE ( August 10, 1900 &ndash January 1, 1994 Ruby Wax (born Ruby Wachs; April 19, 1953) is an American Comedian who made a Career in the United Kingdom In early scripts, she was a sort of girlfriend for Eric while he was in Paris.
Ratings
The film is rated PG in the UK for thematic elements. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located In the US, to avoid the initial child's G rating which might have hindered sales, Puttnam dubbed in an obscenity in order to be awarded a PG rating. Shit is one of the most functionally diverse words in the English language, and is also one of the most frequently used nouns The Motion Picture Association of America's film-rating system is used in the U [5]
Awards and recognition
Academy Awards (1981)
Chariots of Fire was very successful at the Academy Awards. When he accepted his Oscar for Best Original Screenplay Colin Welland famously announced "The British are coming"
- Best Picture - David Puttnam, producer - won
- Original Music Score - Vangelis - won
- Writing Original Screenplay - Colin Welland - won
- Costume Design - Milena Canonero - won
- Best Supporting Actor - Ian Holm - nominated
- Directing - Hugh Hudson - nominated
- Film Editing - Terry Rawlings - nominated
Cannes Film Festival (1981)
- Best Supporting Actor - Ian Holm - won
- Prize of the Ecumenical Jury - Special Mention - Hugh Hudson - won
- Palme d'Or (Golden Palm) - Hugh Hudson - nominated
BAFTA Awards (1981)
- BAFTA Award for Best Film (1981) - won
Popular lists
- BFI Top 100 British films (1999) - rank 19
- Hot 100 No. 1 Hits of 1982 (USA) (May 8) - Vangelis, Chariots of Fire theme
- AFI's 100 Years... 100 Cheers (2006) - rank 100
References in popular culture
- During the 1984 Summer Olympic Games, an American Express credit card commercial ("Don't leave home without it") included Ben Cross and the 87-year-old Jackson Scholz. The Academy Award for Best Motion Picture is one of the Awards of Merit presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS to artists working David Terence Puttnam Baron Puttnam, CBE, FRSA, (born 25 February 1941 is a film producer and politician A film producer is a person who creates the conditions for making movies. The Academy Award for Original Music Score is presented to the best substantial body of music in the form of dramatic underscoring written specifically Evangelos Odysseas Papathanassiou (Born March 29, 1943 in Volos, Greece) ( Greek: Ευάγγελος Οδυσσέας Παπαθανασίου The Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay is the Academy Award for the best script not based upon previously published material Colin Welland (born 4 July 1934 in Newton-le-Willows, Lancashire) is an English Actor and Screenwriter. This Academy Award was first given for movies made in 1948 when separate awards were given for black-and-white and color movies Milena Canonero (born c 1946) is an Italian -born three-time Academy Award winning Costume designer She has been nominated eight times for her Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role is one of the Academy Awards of Merit presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts Sir Ian Holm CBE (born 12 September, 1931) is an English award-winning Actor known for his stage work and for many film roles The Academy Award for Achievement in Directing (Best Director is one of the Awards of Merit presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS to Hugh Hudson (born 25 August 1936) is an British Academy Award -nominated Film director. The Academy Award for Film Editing was first given for films issued in 1934 Terry Rawlings (born 1933 in London England) is a Film editor and Sound editor with several BAFTA nominations and one Academy The Palme d'Or ( English: Golden Palm) is the highest prize awarded to competing films at the Cannes Film Festival. This page lists the winners and nominees for the BAFTA Award for Best Film, BAFTA Award for Best Film not in the English Language and Alexander Korda Award for Best British In 1999 the British Film Institute surveyed 1000 people from the world of UK film and television to produce the BFI 100 list of the greatest British films of the 20th 100 Years 100 Cheers America's Most Inspiring Movies is a list of the most inspiring movies as determined by the American Film Institute. The 1984 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIII Olympiad, were an International Multi-sport event held in Los Angeles, American Express ( sometimes known as " AmEx " or " Amex " is a diversified global Financial services company headquartered in Jackson Volney Scholz ( March 15, 1897 &ndash October 26, 1986) was an American track and field athlete who specialized When Cross says something about beating Scholz, the latter remarks with mock indignation, "You never beat me!" Proving he is "still pretty fast," Scholz beats Cross to the draw in picking up the tab with his credit card.
- The English rugby league player Martin Offiah was nicknamed "Chariots," after the film. History See also History of rugby league The grass roots of rugby league can be traced to early football history, through the playing of ball games Martin "Chariots" Offiah MBE (born 29 December 1966 in London, England) is a British former Rugby league and
- One Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner short is called Chariots of Fur. Chariots of Fur is a seven-minute Looney Tunes short released in 1994.
- On Sesame Street, one segment of Monsterpiece Theater was called "Chariots of Fur"; it involved Grover and Herry Monster having a race down the beach. Sesame Street is an American educational Children's television series and a pioneer of the contemporary educational television standard combining Monsterpiece Theater is a recurring segment on the American version of the internationally acclaimed children's educational program Sesame Street portrayed as Grover is a Muppet character on the television show Sesame Street. Herry Monster is a Sesame Street Muppet performed by Jerry Nelson.
- In one episode of Two and a Half Men, Alan Harper (Jon Cryer) is running on a beach (He has insomnia and his brother suggests exercise). Two and a Half Men is an Emmy Award nominated American television sitcom, which premiered on CBS on Monday September 22 2003 at Jonathan Niven "Jon" Cryer (born April 16 1965 is an American actor screenwriter and producer. He does a parody of Chariots of Fire, before being mistaken for a burglar and being picked up by the police.
- In Mr. Mom, Jack Butler (Michael Keaton) competes in a company-sponsored decathlon, which is seen in slow motion to the famous Chariots of Fire theme. Mr Mom ( 1983) is a Comedy film directed by Stan Dragoti and written by John Hughes. Michael John Douglas (born September 9 1951 better known by the stage name Michael Keaton, is an American Actor, known for his early comedic roles in
- In National Lampoon's Vacation, Clark and Rusty Griswold (Chevy Chase and Anthony Michael Hall respectively) are seen running through the Walley-World parking lot (in slow motion) to the famous Chariots of Fire theme. National Lampoon's Vacation is a 1983 Comedy film directed by Harold Ramis and starring Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, Cornelius Crane “Chevy” Chase (born October 8 1943 is an American Emmy Award-winning Comedian, Writer, and television and film Michael Anthony Hall (born April 14 1968 known professionally as Anthony Michael Hall, is an American actor producer and director who achieved
- In Bruce Almighty, Bruce Nolan (Jim Carrey) is covering a news story on Buffalo's Biggest Cookie. Bruce Almighty is a 2003 American Comedy film, directed by Tom Shadyac and starring Jim Carrey. James Eugene Redmond "Jim" Carrey (born January 17 1962 is a Canadian-American Film actor and Comedian. He tells the camera to "cue the cheesy inspirational music", to which the movie enters a slow motion version of Bruce attempting to throw milk into a line of children's cups, all while the theme from Chariots of Fire plays in the background. He fails miserably, drenching them in the milk.
- In Season 4 of SCTV, the movie is spoofed as "Chariots of Eggs," presented as a series of clips from a movie written and directed by comic Bobby Bittman. Second City Television (SCTV was a Canadian television Sketch comedy show offshoot from Toronto's The Second City troupe that ran between Though still a period piece set in the world of track and field, in the spoof the event is an egg-and-spoon race and the runners are played by musical guests Hall & Oates. Hall & Oates are a Pop music duo made up of Daryl Hall and John Oates. They square off against Andrea Martin and Catherine O'Hara, who parody the lesbian overtones in the track-and-field film Personal Best, The spoof is available in Volume 3 of SCTV DVD series. Andrea Louise Martin (born January 15 1947) is an American - Canadian Actress and comedienne. Catherine Anne O'Hara (born March 4, 1954) is a Canadian - American Emmy and Gemini Award Personal Best is a 1982 movie centered on a group of women who are trying to qualify for the Olympic Games track-and-field team
- In Good Burger, Kenan and Kel run to the theme song when they deliver a burger to Shaquille O'Neal. Good Burger is a 1997 Comedy film from Paramount Pictures directed by Brian Robbins and starring Kenan Thompson, Kel Mitchell Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal (born March 6 1972 frequently referred to simply as " Shaq " is an African American Professional basketball
- In the 1983 arcade game Track & Field, whenever a game over happens and the screen cuts to the high score table, the Chariots of Fire theme can be heard. An arcade game is a coin-operated entertainment machine typically installed in businesses such as Restaurants Pubs Video arcades and Family Entertainment
See also
Notes
- ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/sportscotland/asportingnation/article/0019/print.shtml Bio of Liddell
- ^ Ramsey, Russell W. Sabbath breaking is defined as "not observing the Holy Sabbath day" and is usually considered a Sin within traditional Christianity and classical Philip John Noel-Baker Baron Noel-Baker, born Philip John Baker ( 1 November 1889 &ndash 8 October 1982) was a Politician (1987). God's Joyful Runner. Bridge Publishing, Inc, 54. ISBN 0882706241.
- ^ Reference to Porritt's modesty
- ^ Recollections by Sir Arthur Marshall
- ^ Puttnam interviewed in BBC Radio obituary of Jack Valenti. Jack Joseph Valenti ( September 5 1921 – April 26 2007) was a long-time president of the Motion Picture Association of America.
External links
- Chariots of Fire at the Internet Movie Database
- 4 Speeches from the Movie in Text and Audio from AmericanRhetoric. com
- Great Court Run
- BBC Radio 4 - The Reunion: Chariots of Fire In August 2003, actors Ben Cross and Nigel Havers, director Hugh Hudson, writer Colin Welland, and producer David Puttnam discussed the movie in a 45-minute radio interview. Requires RealPlayer to listen.
- Chariots of Fire at the Arts & Faith Top100 Spiritually Significant Films list
| Awards | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Ordinary People |
Academy Award for Best Picture 1981 |
Succeeded by Gandhi |
| Preceded by Tess |
Golden Globe for Best Foreign Film 1982 |
Succeeded by Gandhi |
| Preceded by The Elephant Man |
BAFTA Award for Best Film 1982 |
Succeeded by Gandhi |
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