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Chariots of Fire
Chariots of Fire
1981 ·123 min ·United Kingdom, United States of America ·PG 0+
7.8
IMDb 7.1 КП 6.8 RT 84% MC 78
Drama, History
Director: Hugh Hudson
Trailers Chariots of Fire
Trailer EN
EN
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In the class-obsessed and religiously divided UK of the early 1920s, two determined young runners train for the 1924 Paris Olympics. Eric Liddell, a devout Christian born to Scottish missionaries in China, sees running as part of his worship of God's glory and refuses to train or compete on the Sabbath. Harold Abrahams overcomes anti-Semitism and class bias, but neglects his beloved sweetheart in his single-minded quest.

Budget: $5.5M
US Gross: $58.97M
Worldwide: $58.97M
Ben Cross
Actor
Ian Charleson
Actor
Nicholas Farrell
Actor
🏆 Cannes Film Festival 1981 — Ecumenical Jury Prize – Special Mention
🏆 Academy Awards 1982 — Best Picture
🏆 Academy Awards 1982 — Best Costume Design
🏆 Academy Awards 1982 — Best Costume Design
🎬 Academy Awards 1982 — Best Director
🎬 BAFTA 1982 — Best Screenplay
🏆 Academy Awards 1982 — Best Original Score
🏆 Golden Globe 1982 — Best International Feature Film
🎬 Academy Awards 1982 — Best Supporting Actor
🎬 BAFTA 1982 — Best Director
🏆 Academy Awards 1982 — Best Screenplay
🏆 BAFTA 1982 — Best Costume Design
🎬 BAFTA 1982 — Anthony Asquith Award for Film Music
🎬 Cannes Film Festival 1981 — Palme d'Or
🏆 Cannes Film Festival 1981 — Best Supporting Actor
🎬 BAFTA 1982 — Best Sound
🎬 BAFTA 1982 — Best Production Design
🎬 BAFTA 1982 — Best Film Editing
🏆 BAFTA 1982 — Best Picture
🎬 BAFTA 1982 — Best Supporting Performance
🎬 BAFTA 1982 — Best Cinematography

Chariots of Fire is a visually polished and atmospheric historical drama that captures the contrast between faith-driven and ambition-fueled sportsmanship. While widely praised for its iconic Vangelis score and production design, the film remains divisive due to its deliberate, slow-moving pace and perceived lack of emotional depth.

Score The iconic, atmospheric musical score by Vangelis serves as the film’s most memorable and enduring element.
Production The film excels in high-quality production design and costume work, successfully recreating the atmosphere of post-war 1920s Britain.
Pacing The pacing is a major point of contention; some viewers appreciate its contemplative, slow-burn nature, while others find the film tedious, static, and lacking sufficient narrative momentum.
Acting Opinions on the lead performances are varied, ranging from claims that the acting is merely adequate or disjointed to praise for Ian Holm’s standout portrayal of the trainer.
Theme The film's status as a 'Best Picture' winner is frequently questioned, with critics arguing that its polished surface hides an underdeveloped emotional core and a lack of relational depth.
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