The focus-driven aggression of Abrahams contrasts against the all-embracing gentle nature of Liddell. Harold, a determined Jew, uses excellence to pummel through the barrier of discrimination; while Eric, a Christian missionary, seeks only to fulfill his Godly destiny and uphold the principles of his religion. When the 1924 Paris Olympic trials are held on a Sunday, Liddell, the "Flying Scotsman," brings the festivities to a halt when he staunchly refuses to run on the Lord's Day, creating panic for the Olympic committee and England! The supporting cast of Chariots of Fire includes the great English actors Sir John Gielgud, Lindsay Anderson and Ian Holm who surround the athletic newcomers with seasoned experience. Cameos from Brad Davis (Midnight Express) and Dennis Christopher (Breaking Away) played American competitors Charles Paddock and Jackson Stoltz.
Special Features begin with “Wings on Their Heels: The Making of Chariots of Fire” which is a gathering of film greats: Screenwriter Colin Welland, Director Hugh Hudson, Producer David Puttnam, Composer Vangelis with Photographer David Watkin, Actors Ben Cross, Nicholas Farrell, and Alice Krige, Nigel Havers, Dennis Christopher, Editor Terry Rawlings, and Athletic Consultant Tom McNab. They discuss the Oscar-winning movie from its inception, financing, casting, music, athletic training, and acting. The music that carried the intensity of the event was composed, arranged and performed by Vangelis Papathanassiou who defines music as “the language of the soul.” He talks about his father being a runner and understanding the true depth of that emotion, and because of this alliance, he was able to translate that passion into images in musical terms. Hudson devised a film about “human drama and human endeavor – standing up for one's beliefs against all kinds of pressure. It's Christianity and Judaism getting together and getting on together.”
In “Chariots of Fire: A Reunion,” film participants discuss their research and one of the primary objectives in casting: should they cast for acting or athletic ability? They decided to rely on the expertise of Trainer Tom McNab and rest in the decision of acting. “Paris, 1924: Birth of the Modern Games” gives a history of the Olympics and called the 1920's the Golden Age of Sports with the Olympic games typifying “purity of competition, fun element, camaraderie, and sport” uniting the world. The 1924 Paris Olympics swung the pendulum in favor of continuing the future Olympic games. Chariots of Fire encapsulates this Olympic spirit.
The next Special Feature is “David Puttnam, A Cinematic Champion ” that begins and ends with Producer Puttnam's father who was a photographer for the Associated Press and covered the 1948 Olympics. This gentleman inspired David's life with his sense of fairness and was a model for the type of life and films Puttnam would later produce. He discusses his inspiration for Chariots of Fire, and especially the quality of fairness being one of the Olympic ideals. "Hugh Hudson: Journey to the Gold" is a segment featuring Director Hugh Hudson. At the age of 12, Hugh's father took him to the 1948 London Olympics. It was a thrilling sporting experience that set the Olympian stage of values in loyalty, discretion and self-sacrifice. He confesses that Chariots of Fire was the beginning of his movie making career, and the characters of Liddell and Abrahams "survives and inspires." The director takes us through his career of television commercials, documentaries and films.
The rest of the features include "Ben Cross and Patricia Hodge Screen Test" and "Ian Charleson Screen Test" which were the initial screenings of the two featured characters, Harold Abrahams (Ben Cross) and Eric Liddell (Ian Charleson). "Spirit Around the Quad" spotlights the initial university quad race scene where Harold Abrahams meets Andrew Lindsay (Nigel Havers) in the competing race. "Famous Opening Shot" gives highlights of the opening Olympian jog along the Scottish shoreline in frigidly cold waters and relates some of the discomforts the trainees experienced. The film's "Commentary" is narrated by Director Hugh Hudson giving enlightenment on filming techniques, background, locations, costuming, characters, and social environment and discrimination particularly anti-semetism, etc. to expand the viewer's knowledge of the moment and temperature of the film. There were eight "Deleted Scenes" which seemed justified in their removal. The features also included the "Theatrical Trailer" and a 37-page booklet on Chariots of Fire which received four Academy Awards including "Best Picture." The booklet also contains a "Soundtrack Sampler" for your listening pleasure.
Chariots of Fire was monumental in its reception and praise and mammoth in its success. The lives of these two legendary heroes, Eric Liddell and Harold Abrahams, have set the stage and foundation for individual honor and valor. I hope the lives of these "chariots of fire" will stir a mighty fire in each and every heart.
