Overview
Two gifted runners face off at the Olympics, each driven by their own beliefs and struggles.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- inspirational
- spiritual
- earnest
- inspirational viewing
- sports movie night
What critics said
Critics broadly regard the film as a stirring and inspirational historical sports drama whose spiritual and patriotic themes outweigh its measured pace.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Harold Abrahams and Eric Liddell pursue Olympic success for sharply different personal and religious reasons.
Harold's Lithuanian Jewish background shapes his conflicted relationship with Cambridge privilege and acceptance.
The barefoot beach running sequence and Vangelis score frame running as poetic, spiritual, and cinematic experience.
Eric's Sabbath beliefs and missionary vocation complicate his participation in the 1924 Paris Olympics.
Films like Chariots of Fire, and why
The Natural
shared biographical sports drama, underdog ambition, period setting, and stirring inspirational tone
Munich
shared historical sports drama, national competition, personal conviction, and uplifting emotional register
A Room with a View
shared British period drama, class tension, spiritual themes, and character-driven ambition
Brittany Runs a Marathon
shared true-story drama, athletic perseverance, moral conviction, and emotionally stirring score-driven presentation
Movie Details
- Director
- Hugh Hudson
- Release Date
- 1981-05-15
- Runtime
- 123 min
- Rating
- 6.8 / 10 (1077)
Cast
- Ben Cross
- Ian Charleson
- Cheryl Campbell
- Alice Krige
- Nigel Havers
- Ian Holm
- Nicholas Farrell
- Daniel Gerroll
- John Gielgud
- Lindsay Anderson
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Howdy Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Chariots of Fire about?
- Two determined British runners confront prejudice, religious conviction, and elite expectations on the road to the 1924 Olympics.
- What is Chariots of Fire like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Chariots of Fire as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Chariots of Fire violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Chariots of Fire.
- What did critics think of Chariots of Fire?
- Critics broadly regard the film as a stirring and inspirational historical sports drama whose spiritual and patriotic themes outweigh its measured pace.
- Which films are like Chariots of Fire?
- Films with a similar feel include The Natural, Munich, A Room with a View, and Brittany Runs a Marathon.
- How long is Chariots of Fire?
- Chariots of Fire runs 123 minutes.
- Where can I watch Chariots of Fire?
- In United States, Chariots of Fire streams on Howdy Amazon Channel.
