Chariots of Fire (1981)
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- PG
- 2h 5min
- Biography, Drama
- 09 Apr 1982 (USA)
- Movie
Two British track athletes, one a determined Jew and the other a devout Christian, are driven to win in the 1924 Olympics as they wrestle with issues of pride and conscience.
Director:
Writer:
Awards:
- Won 4 Oscars. Another 14 wins & 19 nominations.
- See more »
Reviews:
Photos and Videos
Complete, Cast awaiting verification
| Nicholas Farrell | ... |
Aubrey Montague
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| Nigel Havers | ... |
Lord Andrew Lindsay
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| Ian Charleson | ... |
Eric Liddell
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| Ben Cross | ... |
Harold Abrahams
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| Daniel Gerroll | ... |
Henry Stallard
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| Ian Holm | ... |
Sam Mussabini
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| John Gielgud | ... |
Master of Trinity
(as Sir John Gielgud)
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| Lindsay Anderson | ... |
Master of Caius
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| Nigel Davenport | ... |
Lord Birkenhead
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| Cheryl Campbell | ... |
Jennie Liddell
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| Alice Krige | ... |
Sybil Gordon
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| Dennis Christopher | ... |
Charles Paddock
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| Brad Davis | ... |
Jackson Scholz
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| Patrick Magee | ... |
Lord Cadogan
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| Peter Egan | ... |
Duke of Sutherland
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| Struan Rodger | ... |
Sandy McGrath
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| David Yelland | ... |
Prince of Wales
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| Yves Beneyton | ... |
George Andre
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| Jeremy Sinden | ... |
President-Gilbert & Sullivan Society
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Gordon Hammersley | ... |
President-Cambridge Athletic Club
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Andrew Hawkins | ... |
Secretary-Gilbert & Sullivan Society
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| Richard Griffiths | ... |
Head Porter-Caius College
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| John Young | ... |
Reverend J.D. Liddell
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| Benny Young | ... |
Rob Liddell
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Yvonne Gilan | ... |
Mrs Liddell
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| Jack Smethurst | ... |
Sleeping Car Attendant
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Gerry Slevin | ... |
Colonel John Keddie
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| Peter Cellier | ... |
Head Waiter-Savoy
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Stephen Mallatratt | ... |
Watson
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Colin Bruce | ... |
Taylor
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| Alan Polonsky | ... |
Paxton
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Edward Wiley | ... |
Fitch
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| Philip O'Brien | ... |
American Coach
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Ralph Lawton | ... |
Harbour Master
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John Rutland | ... |
Caius Porter
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Alan Dudley | ... |
Caius Manservant
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Tommy Boyle | ... |
Reporter
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| Kim Clifford | ... |
Sybil's Maid
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Wallace Campbell | ... |
Highland Provost
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| Patrick Doyle | ... |
Jimmie
(as Pat Doyle)
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David John | ... |
Ernest Liddell
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Tess Dignan | ... |
Schoolgirl
(as Teresa Dignan)
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| Ruby Wax | ... |
Bunty
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Michael Jeyes | ... |
Footman
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David Kivlin | ... |
First Scots Boy
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Eddie Hughson | ... |
Second Scots Boy
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Gayle Garyson | ... |
Sue Sammon
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Sue Sammon |
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Linda Wallis | ... |
Rosy Clayton
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Rosy Clayton |
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Linda Boyland |
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Doreen Sloane |
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Paul Howard | ... |
Alan Lorimer
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Alan Lorimer |
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Steve Ambrose | ... |
James Usher
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James Usher |
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| Michael Lonsdale | ... |
Garth Jones
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Garth Jones |
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| Peter Jones | ... |
Leonard Mullen
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Leonard Mullen |
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Graham Brooke | ... |
Paul Mahoney
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Paul Mahoney |
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Phil Tait | ... |
Dave Turner
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Dave Turner |
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
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Paul Bannon | ... |
Reporter (uncredited)
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Carl Beaumont | ... |
Round Headed Child (uncredited)
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| Kenneth Branagh | ... |
Cambridge Student - Society Day crowd (uncredited)
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Russell Brook | ... |
Train Passenger (uncredited)
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Lorraine Daniels | ... |
Pitti-Sing in 'The Mikado' (uncredited)
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Steven Ellison | ... |
Spectaor at Olympics (uncredited)
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Mark English | ... |
Policeman (uncredited)
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| Stephen Fry | ... |
Singer in 'H.M.S. Pinafore' (uncredited)
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Barrie Holland | ... |
University Professor (uncredited)
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Lew Hooper | ... |
Man at Funeral (uncredited)
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Stephen Marzella | ... |
Undergraduate (uncredited)
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Roberta Morrell | ... |
Peep-Bo in 'The Mikado' (uncredited)
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Robin Pappas | ... |
Clare (uncredited)
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Derek Pringle | ... |
Captain of Cambridge Athletic Team (uncredited)
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Ted Robbins | ... |
Shot-Putter (uncredited)
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Peter Ross-Murray | ... |
Race Spectator (uncredited)
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| Guy Standeven | ... |
Lord Lindsay's Butler (uncredited)
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Directed by
| Hugh Hudson | ||
Written by
| Colin Welland | ... | (original screenplay) |
Produced by
| Mohamed Al-Fayed | ... | executive producer (uncredited) |
| James Crawford | ... | associate producer |
| Jake Eberts | ... | executive producer (uncredited) |
| Dodi Fayed | ... | executive producer |
| David Puttnam | ... | producer |
Music by
| Vangelis | ... | (as Vangelis Papathanassiou) |
Cinematography by
| David Watkin | ... | director of photography |
Editing by
| Terry Rawlings | ||
Editorial Department
| Les Healey | ... | first assistant editor |
| Ros Siely | ... | second assistant editor |
Casting By
| Esta Charkham | ||
Art Direction by
| Jonathan Amberston | ||
| Len Huntingford | ||
| Anna Ridley | ||
| Andrew Sanders | ||
Costume Design by
| Milena Canonero | ||
Makeup Department
| Kenteas Brine | ... | makeup artist |
| Maureen Hannaford-Naisbitt | ... | hairdresser |
| Kate Healy | ... | hairdresser |
| Mary Hillman | ... | makeup supervisor |
| Joan Hills | ... | hairdressing supervisor |
| Hilary Steinberg | ... | makeup artist |
Production Management
| Joyce Herlihy | ... | production manager |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Jonathan Benson | ... | assistant director |
| Matthew Binns | ... | second assistant director |
| Terence Fitch | ... | third assistant director |
| Melvin Lind | ... | second assistant director |
| Hugh O'Donnell | ... | third assistant director |
| Bill Rudgard | ... | third assistant director |
| John Smallcombe | ... | additional second assistant director |
| Jeremy Coote | ... | third assistant director (uncredited) |
Art Department
| Diane Bates | ... | assistant art director |
| Don Bradburn | ... | standby props |
| Paul Bradburn | ... | standby props |
| Roy Evans | ... | construction manager |
| Bryony Foster | ... | set dresser |
| John Gorham | ... | graphics |
| Roger Hall | ... | supervising art director |
| John Kelly | ... | graphics |
| Laurie Kerr | ... | carpenter |
| Katie Kilroy | ... | production buyer (as Kate Kilroy) |
| John Leuenberger | ... | property master |
| Diana Morris | ... | set dresser |
| John New | ... | standby carpenter |
| John O'Driscoll | ... | graphics |
| Les Phipps | ... | standby rigger |
| Douglas Regan | ... | standby painter (as Doug Regan) |
| Tony Turner | ... | standby stagehand |
| Gari Bacon | ... | props (uncredited) |
| Chris Seddon | ... | drapes master (uncredited) |
Sound Department
| Rowland Fowles | ... | sound assistant |
| Pat Gilbert | ... | assistant sound editor |
| Dushko Indjic | ... | sound assistant |
| Ray Merrin | ... | assistant dubbing mixer |
| Bill Rowe | ... | dubbing mixer |
| Jim Shields | ... | sound editor |
| Clive Winter | ... | sound mixer |
| Malcolm Davies | ... | production sound mixer: second unit (uncredited) |
| Rowland Fowles | ... | boom operator (uncredited) |
| Philip Rogers | ... | sound recordist (uncredited) |
| Lionel Strutt | ... | adr mixer (uncredited) |
Visual Effects by
| Ray Caple | ... | matte artist |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Graham Attwood | ... | unit stillsman |
| Michael Connor | ... | focus (as Mike Connor) |
| Dennis Fraser | ... | grip |
| Derek Gatrell | ... | electrician |
| Alan Grayley | ... | electrician |
| Alan Grosch | ... | electrician |
| Dewi Humphreys | ... | camera operator |
| John Ignatius | ... | second unit loader |
| Brian Kemp | ... | electrician |
| Eddie Knight | ... | electrician |
| Billy Merrell | ... | electrician (as Bill Merrill) |
| Ray Potter | ... | chief electrician |
| Kate Robinson | ... | loader (as Peter Robinson) |
| Brian Ellis | ... | focus puller: "b" camera (uncredited) |
Casting Department
| Dorothy Andrew | ... | crowd casting |
| Simone Reynolds | ... | additional casting |
| Beth Charkham | ... | casting assistant (uncredited) |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Tony Allen | ... | tailor |
| Nadia Arthur | ... | wardrobe mistress |
| John Brady | ... | wardrobe assistant |
| Marina Drecker | ... | wardrobe assistant |
| Leonard East | ... | tailor |
| Louise Frogley | ... | assistant costume designer |
| David Garrett | ... | dressmaker |
| Gill John | ... | wardrobe assistant |
| Imogen Magnus | ... | wardrobe assistant |
| David Murphy | ... | wardrobe supervisor |
| Terry Smith | ... | wardrobe master |
| Claire Sorrell | ... | costume assistant |
| Vivian Tozer | ... | wardrobe assistant |
| Graham Churchyard | ... | costume assistant (uncredited) |
| Dougie Hawkes | ... | costumer (uncredited) |
Location Management
| Simon Bosanquet | ... | location manager |
| Richard Burgess | ... | location research |
| Caroline Langley | ... | location manager (as Caroline Neame) |
| Arnold Schulkes | ... | location research |
| Iain Smith | ... | location manager |
Music Department
| Harry Rabinowitz | ... | music coordinator |
| Vangelis | ... | original music arranger (as Vangelis Papathanassiou) / performer: original music (as Vangelis Papathanassiou) |
| John McCarthy | ... | vocal director (uncredited) |
Script and Continuity Department
| Jane Buck | ... | continuity |
Additional Crew
| Dave Allen | ... | masseur |
| Des Bradley | ... | film school attachment |
| Alison Campbell | ... | production assistant |
| Ana Cardosa | ... | film school attachment |
| John Chambers | ... | finance executive |
| Hazel Crombie | ... | assistant production accountant |
| Robin Demetriou | ... | cast and crew chef |
| Jane Golding | ... | publicity assistant |
| John Gorham | ... | title design |
| Scott Hamilton | ... | unit publicist |
| John Hemmings | ... | liaison: Kay Laboratories, London |
| Roger Hucharde | ... | research |
| Joe Hyams | ... | studio publicity executive (uncredited) |
| John Kelly | ... | title design |
| Alan Ladd Jr. | ... | presenter |
| Tom McNab | ... | athletic consultant |
| John O'Driscoll | ... | title design |
| Elizabeth Bain Orr | ... | production assistant |
| Maggie Phelan | ... | assistant accountant |
| Ron Phipps | ... | production accountant |
| John Porter | ... | worldwide distribution director |
| Jennie Raglan | ... | production secretary |
| Paul Schoolman | ... | film school attachment |
| Claudine Sellars | ... | production assistant |
| Lynda Smith | ... | production assistant |
| Jacqueline Tager | ... | film school attachment (as Jacqui Tager) |
| Ann Tasker | ... | unit publicist |
| Lora Marie Taylor | ... | payroll accountant |
| Julian Senior | ... | director of publicity (uncredited) |
| John Smallcombe | ... | production assistant (uncredited) |
Thanks
| Timothy Burrill | ... | the producer and director wish to specifically acknowledge the help of |
| Bernard Coote | ... | the producer and director wish to specifically acknowledge the help of |
| Tim Hampton | ... | the producer and director wish to specifically acknowledge the help of |
| Jennie Liddell | ... | we would like to acknowledge the technical help and advice given to the production by |
| Sanford Lieberson | ... | the producer and director wish to specifically acknowledge the help of (as Sandy Lieberson) |
| Jackson Scholz | ... | we would like to acknowledge the technical help and advice given to the production by |
Production Companies
- Enigma Productions
- Allied Stars Ltd. (present)
Distributors
- Twentieth Century Fox Film Company (1981) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- The Ladd Company (1981) (United States) (theatrical)
- Warner Bros. (1981) (United States) (theatrical) (as WARNER BROS. PICTURES A Warner Communications Company)
- 20th Century Fox India (1981) (India) (theatrical) (as 20th Century Fox Corp) (Bombay)
- Filmes Castello Lopes (1981) (Portugal) (theatrical)
- Fox Columbia Film Distributors (1981) (Australia) (theatrical)
- Fox Films (1981) (Finland) (theatrical)
- InCine (1981) (Spain) (theatrical)
- Kommunenes Filmcentral (KF) (1981) (Norway) (theatrical)
- Twentieth Century Fox (1981) (France) (theatrical)
- 20th Century Fox Argentina (1982) (Argentina) (theatrical)
- Twentieth Century Fox (1982) (Japan) (theatrical) (subtitled)
- Twentieth Century-Fox (1982) (Mexico) (theatrical)
- 20th Century Fox Video (1982) (United Kingdom) (VHS)
- Warner Home Video (1982) (United States) (VHS)
- CBS/Fox Video (1983) (France) (VHS) (dubbed version)
- CBS/Fox Home Video (1984) (Australia) (video)
- Alliance Vidéo (1985) (France) (VHS) (dubbed version)
- CBS Electronics (1985) (Greece) (VHS)
- CBS/Fox (1985) (Argentina) (VHS)
- Canal+ (1985) (France) (tv) (dubbed version)
- CBS / Fox Video (1986) (United Kingdom) (VHS)
- Warner Home Video (1986) (United States) (VHS) (pan and scan)
- Antenne 2 (A2) (1988) (France) (tv) (dubbed version)
- Warner Home Video (1988) (United States) (VHS)
- Yleisradio (YLE) (1988) (Finland) (tv)
- CBS/Fox Video (1989) (France) (VHS) (dubbed version)
- Dongwoo Video (1992) (South Korea) (VHS)
- Warner Home Video (1992) (United States) (VHS)
- Mainostelevisio (MTV3) (1994) (Finland) (tv)
- FoxVideo (1995) (Hong Kong) (video) (LaserDisc)
- France 3 (1995) (France) (tv) (dubbed version)
- CinéCinémas (1996) (France) (tv) (dubbed version)
- Nelonen (1997) (Finland) (tv)
- Nelonen (1999) (Finland) (tv)
- 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2000) (France) (DVD)
- PFC Vidéo (2000) (France) (DVD)
- PFC Vidéo (2000) (France) (VHS)
- Warner Home Video (2000) (United States) (DVD) (widescreen)
- Warner Bros. (2001) (United States) (theatrical) (as WARNER BROS. PICTURES An AOL Time Warner Company)
- 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2001) (Brazil) (DVD)
- 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2001) (Germany) (DVD)
- 20th Century Fox Korea (2001) (South Korea) (DVD) (as Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment)
- Fox Pathé Europa (2001) (France) (DVD)
- Warner Home Video (2001) (United States) (DVD)
- ARTE (2002) (France) (tv) (French subtitles)
- Mainostelevisio (MTV3) (2002) (Finland) (tv)
- Télé Monté Carlo (TMC) (2003) (France) (tv) (dubbed version)
- France 4 (2005) (France) (tv)
- Warner Home Video (2005) (United States) (DVD) (widescreen)
- 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2006) (Germany) (DVD)
- FS Film (2006) (Finland) (DVD)
- Fox Pathé Europa (2006) (France) (DVD)
- France 3 (2006) (France) (tv)
- Warner Home Video (2006) (United States) (DVD)
- RTL9 (2007) (France) (tv)
- France 2 (FR2) (2008) (France) (tv)
- Le Monde (2008) (France) (DVD)
- Mainostelevisio (MTV3) (2008) (Finland) (tv)
- 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2009) (Germany) (DVD)
- Warner Home Video (2011) (United States) (DVD)
- 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2012) (Argentina) (DVD) (30th anniversary edition)
- 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2012) (Argentina) (Blu-ray) (DVD) (30th anniversary edition)
- 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2012) (Germany) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
- Fox Pathé Europa (2012) (France) (Blu-ray)
- Warner Home Video (2012) (United States) (DVD) (Blu-ray book)
- HBO Max (2020) (United States) (video) (VOD)
- Disney+ (2021) (United Kingdom) (video) (VOD)
- France 5 (2021) (France) (tv)
- Abril Vídeo (Brazil) (VHS)
- Rautakirja (Finland) (video)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- Bass Charrington (this film was made with the help and co-operation of)
- Belgian Maritime Transport Authority (this film was made with the help and co-operation of)
- Cafe Royal (this film was made with the help and co-operation of)
- Cannes Film Festival (festival)
- Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment (cranes and dollies)
- D'Oyly Carte Opera Company (the sequence from "The Mikado" was made possible by the kind permission of)
- Dolby Laboratories (sound post-production)
- E.M.I. Elstree Studios (re-recorded at)
- Elstree Film & Television Studios (sound post-production)
- Enigma Productions (filmed entirely on location in England and Scotland by)
- Fiat Auto UK (this film was made with the help and co-operation of)
- Filmfex Animation Services (optical effects)
- George Heriots Trust (this film was made with the help and co-operation of)
- Harrogate Department of Resort Services (this film was made with the help and co-operation of)
- Intelligent Media (international monitoring agency)
- International Olympic Committee (this film was made with the help and co-operation of)
- Joe Dunton & Company (camera equipment provided by)
- Lee Lighting (grip and lighting equipment)
- Mayflower Recording (adr recording)
- Metropolitan Borough of Wirral (this film was made with the help and co-operation of)
- Motion Picture Association (MPA)
- National Railway Museum (this film was made with the help and co-operation of)
- Polydor (album available on)
- Società Attori Sincronizzatori (SAS) (dubbing: Italian post-synchronized version)
- Toronto International Film Festival (festival)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
During the post-World War I era, Britons Harold Abrahams and Eric Liddell are both naturally gifted fast sprinters, but approach running and how it fits into their respective lives differently. Harold, the son of a Lithuanian Jew, lives a somewhat-privileged life as a student at Cambridge and uses being the fastest to overcome what he sees as the obstacles he faces in life a Jew despite that privilege. In his words to paraphrase an old adage, he is often invited to the trough, but isn't allowed to drink. His running prowess does earn him the respect of his classmates, especially his running teammates, and to some extent the school administration, if only he maintains what they consider proper gentlemanly decorum, which isn't always the case in their minds. Eric Liddell, a Scot born to Christian missionaries in China, is a devout member of the Church of Scotland who hopes to eventually return to that missionary work. He sees running as a win-win: the notoriety of being fast gives him an added outlet to spread the word of God, while he sees his speed as being a gift from God, and he wants to run to honor God and that gift. This view does not sit well with his sister Jennie, who sees his running as only taking away time from his work to God. Harold and Eric's lives intersect in national races, but it is the 100-meter track event at the 1924 Paris Olympics which the two men and their supporters most anticipate. Beyond the fact that Americans Charles Paddock and Jackson Scholz are favored in the event, the much-anticipated head-to-head between Harold and Eric could be further shadowed by other issues, especially as it affects Eric's Christian beliefs. Written by Huggo |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | This is the story of two men who run...not to run...but to prove something to the world. They will sacrifice anything to achieve their goals...Except their honor. See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
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Additional Details
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Box Office
| Budget | $5,500,000 (estimated) |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | Eric Liddell was born in China, where his parents were missionaries. He returned as a missionary. During the Japanese occupation of China, he was taken into the Japanese Weihsien Internment Camp, where he died from a brain tumor just before the camp was liberated. See more » |
| Goofs | In the 1920s, American flags had 48 stars, not 50. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in Stevie, Southern Comfort, Chariots of Fire, All the Marbles (1981). See more » |
| Soundtracks | He is an Englishman See more » |
| Quotes |
Eric Liddell:
I believe God made me for a purpose - but He also made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure. See more » |