Movie review - Chariots of Fire

Plot

The true story of two British track athletes competing in the 1924 Summer Olympics. One is a devout Scottish missionary who runs for God, the other is a Jewish student at Cambridge who runs for fame and to escape prejudice.

The story, told in flashback, of two young British sprinters competing for fame in the 1924 Olympics. Eric, a devout Scottish missionary runs because he knows it must please God. Harold, the son of a newly rich Jew runs to prove his place in Cambridge society. In a warmup 100 meter race, Eric defeats Harold, who hires a pro trainer to prepare him. Eric, whose qualifying heat is scheduled for a Sunday, refuses to run despite pressure from the Olympic committee. A compromise is reached when a nobleman allows Eric to compete in his 400 meter slot. Eric and Harold win their respective races and go on to achieve fame as missionary and businessman/athletic advocate, respectively.

in IMDB

In my own rewiew

Because I am Christian, I already heard the real story about Eric Liddell. As much, the Christian have remembered him and still have respected him. Whenever I encounter a problem that I have to choose something, I usually vacillate. But Liddell did not. He chose and acted according to his faith. Liddell didn’t vacillate. I envy Liddell his firm faith.

Even though Abraham said he runs because of the pride of Jew, in my view he ran because of his desire of triumph. Thus when he lost his race against Liddell, he suffered himself. If he really ran for the pride of Jew, his suffering might not necessary. And after achieved golden medal in Olympic he ran no longer, because he already had filled his desire.

In order to train himself, Abraham engaged a trainer Sam Mussabini who was not amateur but pro. It was violate the regulation of his college. In my opinion, If Abraham really wanted to show the pride of Jew, he had to follow every regulation that was ordered to him. It is real improvement of his willing.

If someone asks me “Do they succeed in their aim?” then I will answer “yes”. But I ask again “What are real aims of them?” In that sense, I think Eric Liddell succeeded in his aim but Harold Abraham made a little error.

The opening scene is very famous. Try to appreciate.