Chariots of Fire (2-Disc Special Edition) (1981)

Director: Hugh Hudson  Starring: Ben Cross  Ian Charleson  
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Product Summary
Publisher: Warner
Format: DVD
UPC: 00085393190828
Buy.com Sku: 40701066
Item#: VVWD6C
Buy.com Sales Rank: 4884
Category Keywords: Achievers  Adventure  Buddies  Essential Cinema  Personal Triumph  Recommended  Rivalry  Theatrical Release  True Story 
Rating: 
 
This is a story of two men who run...not to run...but to prove something to the world. They will sacrifice anything to achieve their goals...Except their honor.
 
 
Features: DVD, Special Edition, Widescreen, Aspect Ratio 1.85:1, Dolby Digital (5.1), Dolby Surround Sound, Audio Commentary, Featurettes, Interviews, Deleted Scenes, English, French, Spanish, Subtitled, 2 Discs
 
The time is 1924. Britain's finest athletes have begun their quest for glory in the Olympic Games. Their success will win honor for their nation--but for two champion runners, the honor at stake is a personal honor...and their challenge one from within. Chariots Of Fire tells the exciting, inspiring true story of Harold Abrahams, Eric Liddell and the dedicated team of competitors who brought Britain one of her most legendary victories in international sports. It's also the film that marked the brilliant resurgence of the British movie industry--and won four 1981 Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Vincent Canby of The New York Times called it "virtually a succession of smashing debuts," which it proved to be for Ben Cross, Ian Charleson, Nigel Havers, Nicholas Farrell and Alice Krige in their first major movie roles, and Hugh Hudson (a veteran of British television) directing his first theatrical feature. Hudson went on to make two more grand-scale period movies, Greystoke: The Legend Of Tarzan, Lord Of The Apes and Revolution. Pioneering producer David Puttnam (Midnight Express, The Killing Fields, The Mission) brought these and many other collective talents together to shape a film whose impact has been lasting and unique. From its bracing footage of competition and pageantry to its extraordinary Vangelis score, Chariots Of Fire has left its mark on movie lovers everywhere.
 
"...director Hugh Hudson shows respect for the integrity of his material and the intelligence of his audience."  James Berardinelli's ReelViews
"Outstanding performances..."  VideoHound's Golden Movie Retriever

 


Editor's Note

Director Hugh Hudson's absorbing drama, based on a true story, deals with the personal struggles faced by two very different long-distance runners competing for Britain in the 1924 Paris Olympic Games. Eric Liddell (Ian Charleson) is a devout Christian who sees victory as a testament to the glory of God, while the other, Harold Abrahams (Ben Cross), is a Jewish Cambridge student who sees victory as a challenge to anti-Semitism and his ongoing struggle for acceptance by Britain's elite. Eric, a hometown Scottish hero to the people, gives rousing sermons after victory and works at a local missionary. Harold runs with a zealous commitment, upsetting Cambridge's educational upper crust (played with enjoyable wit and candor by Sir John Gielgud and Lindsay Anderson) while enjoying social life with his university chums and his beautiful showgirl girlfriend (Alice Krige). But when faced with such a competent challenger, Harold hires trainer Sam Mussabini (Ian Holm) to further his dreams of winning the gold. Ultimately, the two runners meet in Paris to run for British victory in a rousing finale. Featuring an unforgettable soundtrack by Vangelis, this Academy Award-winning film is an inspirational story of athletic excellence and spiritual awakening that captures the zeal of post-WWI Britain and the glory of the Olympics.


Plot Summary

This Academy Award-winning film, based on a true story, follows the rivalry between two long-distance runners competing for Britain in the 1924 Paris Olympic Games.

 
Features
2-Disc Set
8 Deleted Scenes
Audio: English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound; French Mono
Director Commentary
Easter Eggs
Making Of Featurette
Reunion Featurette
Screen Tests
Subtitles: English, French, Spanish
Theatrical Trailer
 
Technical Info

Release Information
Studio: Warner
Release Date: 2/1/2005
Running Time: 124 minutes
Original Release Date: 1981
Catalog ID: 31908
UPC: 00085393190828
Number of Discs: 2

Audio & Video
Original Language: English
Available Audio Tracks: English [CC], English
Available Subtitles: English, French, Spanish
Video: Color

 
Cast & Crew
Ben Cross
Ian Charleson
Ian Holm
Nigel Havers
Colin Welland - Screenplay
David Watkin - Cinematographer
Dodi Fayed, et al. - Producer
Hugh Hudson - Director
Terry Rawlings - Editor
Vangelis - Musical Score

 
Awards

Oscar (1982)
Milena Canonero, Winner, Best Costume Design
Vangelis, Winner, Best Music, Original Score
David Puttnam, Winner, Best Picture
Colin Welland, Winner, Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly For The Screen

Cannes Film Festival (1981)
Ian Holm, Winner, Best Supporting Actor

 
Professional Reviews
Variety
"...Strong script values and top-notch performances....The casting is pin point..." 04/08/1981

New York Times
"...Unashamedly rousing, invigorating....Splendidly performed..." 09/25/1984 p.C14

Sight and Sound
"...There are some excellent character turns from the likes of John Gielgud and Lindsay Anderson..." 09/01/2001 p.58

Entertainment Weekly
"[C]ompelling....An extraordinary study of individualism and class conflict..." 02/04/2005 p.118

VideoHound's Golden Movie Retriever 9 of 10
A lush retelling of the parallel stories of Harold Abraham and Eric Liddell, English runners who com
 
James Berardinelli's ReelViews 8 of 10
Chariots of Fire tells the story of the British triumphs at the 1924 Olympics, where the UK r
 

  
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