Chariots of Fire

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On Sky Movies Modern Greats 06/01/10 13:45

Director: Hugh Hudson

Stars: Nigel Havers, Ian Charleson, Ben Cross, Alice Krige

Year: 1981 Running Time: 120 mins Rating:

"The British are coming!" Writer Colin Welland's Oscar-acceptance pronouncement over-egged the situation slightly but it provides a suitably patriotic and impassioned tagline for his tale of brotherhood, athletic rivalry and endurance. Ben Cross and Ian Charleson star as two British runners competing for gold at the 1924 Olympics. Full of stiff upper lips and cheer-inducing races around the quads of Cambridge, the true story proved to be director Hugh Hudson's finest hour. Nigel Havers joins the team, but it's the slow-mo race on the beach to the musical accompaniment of Vangelis that everyone remembers.

Review

Winner of four Academy Awards - writer Colin Welland took the occasion to warn Hollywood (rather prematurely, as it proved) that 'the British are coming' - and nominated for four others, this stirring story of the battle between two Olympic runners from different social and ethnic backgrounds hit an unexpected box-office bullseye.

Director Hugh Hudson had a solid background in shooting commercials, but this was his auspicious feature film debut. John Gielgud and Lindsay Anderson have wonderful cameos as anti-semitic Cambridge officials, but many considered Ian Holm, as a professional coach, was robbed of an Oscar when it was awarded to Gielgud for his role in Arthur.

Patriotic flag-waving, gorgeous photography and a memorable score by Vangelis. STAR SPOT: Sharp eyes will pick out Ruby Wax in the supporting cast.