I must say that when I asked Senator Jacques Demers the question of what his favourite movie was at the Children’s Treatment Center Roast a few weeks ago – he was caught off-guard. He initially named the previously reviewed Forrest Gump, yet after he roasted local MP Guy Lauzon, he pulled me aside in order to mention that the Hanks’ offering was not the sole movie at the top of his list – the 1981 Academy Award Best Picture Chariots of Fire was equally as important to him.
Demers praised the pictures’ motivational and powerful storyline that tells the tale of underdog outsiders and human nature. He also added that the acting was something to behold.
Directed by Hugh Hudson and written by Colin Welland (who won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay), the movie follows two determined individuals, a religious man from Scotland named Eric Liddell (Ian Charleson) and Harold Abrahams (Ben Cross), a young Jewish man who has just started his university life at Cambridge. Both men share a passion (or addiction) for running. They both continue to impress in their field, stringing together win after impressive win; that is, until the two meet and Liddell crushes Abrahams.
The distraught man enlists the help of trainer Sam Mussabini (Ian Holm – Bilbo Baggins from The Lord of the Rings) to improve his technique. This draws ire from the stuffy aristocratic Master of Trinity (John Gielgud) as well as the Master of Caius (Lindsay Anderson) at Cambridge University, who claim this is not a gentlemanly pursuit within the realm of sport (this only covers for their rather anti-Semitic and class based prejudices).
Abrahams also struggles in his relationship with his love interest, singer and stage actress, Sybil Gordon (Alice Krige), who he neglects for years as he puts all of his time and energy into training.
When both men find out they have earned a spot at the 1924 Olympics in Paris, they are ecstatic. Yet Liddell soon finds out that he has a major problem, as he will be running on the Sabbath, something he is not willing to do. Despite pressure from the British Olympic Committee and the Prince of Wales (David Yelland), he will not contravene his religious beliefs.
A fellow teammate, who has already won a silver medal, gives his spot to Liddell and he is able to run in the more difficult 400 meter race which is held on Thursday. Will the two runners be able to overcome the odds and defeat the American favourites, or will they fail to fulfil their dreams?
Chariots of Fire is a passionate film that captures the willpower and drive of human beings. This is illustrated beautifully through the memorable musical composition written by Vangelis (who won the Academy Award for Best Score), which captures the spirit found within these soaring runners. It mirrors the film perfectly, drawing us into this classic tale and adding to the already solid story.
Much like Demers other top pick, Chariots of Fire has heart. It feels real and captures a time long since past in a creative way. So don’t be last to the finish line; track down a copy of this Oscar winning movie – it makes a winner out of all of us.