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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 | | Region [unknown] | | Keep Case | | Special Edition | | Widescreen - 1.85 | | Audio:
| Dolby Surround 5.1 English | | Mono 1.0 French | | Additional Release Material:
| Additional Scenes: Cricket in the Ballroom | | Audio Commentary: Director Hugh Hudson | | Harold Abrahams and Sam Mussabini Speak of Speeding up the Pace | | Trailers: Theatrical Trailer | | Featurette: Wings on their Heels: The Making of Chariots of Fire | | Interactive Features:
| Easter Eggs:
| 1. Director Hugh Hudson, Producer Lord Puttnam and Actor Nigel Phelps relive the famous sprint around the quad. | | 2. Ben Cross talks about running for the famous open shot. |
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| Technical Info
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Release Information
|  | Studio: Warner Home Video |
| 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
| Awards |
Academy Awards (1981) |  | Winner, Best Costume Design | | Winner, Best Picture | | Winner, Best Original Score | | David Puttnam, Winner, Best Picture | | Colin Welland, Winner, Best Original Screenplay |
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| | Professional Reviews | Variety
"...Strong script values and top-notch performances....The casting is pin point..." 04/08/1981New 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 |
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