 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Chariots of Fire
- Review Date: May 18, 2003
- PG
- Genre: Drama
- 1981
Common Sense Media says
Brilliant true story of 1924 Olympic footrace.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this true story of British Olympic runners has very little mature content -- drinking and smoking mostly -- but may be too hard to follow for younger fans of sports movies. The two runners it features are worth discussing with kids, though. One runner is Jewish and fights prejudice through competition. The other is a Scottish missionary and refuses to run an Olympic race on Sunday, even when the Prince of Wales tries to appeal to his love of country. As a side note, a lone Lipton Tea billboard shows up along a racetrack -- a great reminder of just how littered with advertising most sporting events are today.
What's the story?
CHARIOTS OF FIRE depicts the true story of two athletes who ran in the 1924 Olympics: Jewish Cambridge student Harold (Ben Cross), and Scottish missionary Eric Liddell (Ian Charleson). On Abrahams' first day at Cambridge, new students are encouraged to achieve for themselves and for those who were lost in World War I, which has just ended. Abrahams is a bit arrogant, but finds friends and impresses everyone by being the first to run the entire quad within the 12 strokes of the clock at noon. Liddell is deeply committed to missionary work, but sets the work aside to become a great runner. Abrahams is devastated when he loses to Liddell, but both men make the Olympic team. There is a crisis when Liddell's event is scheduled for a Sunday, because he will not run on the Sabbath. But Lord Lindsay (Nigel Havers) graciously allows Liddell his place in a different event, "for the pleasure of seeing you run." Both athletes face difficult choices and much opposition. One uses a coach, in defiance of tradition and expectations. The other goes against the wishes of his sister, and even defies the Prince of Wales.
Is it any good?
Wonderfully evocative of the time and place, with superb performances, Chariots of Fire shows us the source of the runners' determination, for one a need to prove his worth to himself and the society that discriminates against him, for the other, a way of connecting to God. The film deservedly won the Oscars for best picture, screenplay, costume design, and music.
Both men must take a stand in order to realize their athletic dreams. Abrahams deals with prejudices against his religion, while Liddell confronts the conflict between the dictates of his religion and the requirements of the sport (including the entreaties of the heir to the throne) when he is asked to compete on the Sabbath.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about why running was so important to these men. Was it different for different athletes? Why does Harold Abrahams think of quitting when he loses to Liddell?
Why doesn't Eric's sister want him to race? Why does he race despite her objections?
Why don't the teachers at Harold Abrahams' school think it is appropriate to have a coach? Would anyone think that today?
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AGE
Interesting...But Not Great
CHARIOTS OF FIRE is a very interesting movie with a good story and a great score. However, at the end, I wasn't near as inspired as I thought I would be. The movie is quite slow, but I have no problem with the pace. It's the execution of the story that feels choppy. On the plus side, however, the film features an amazing score by Vangelis and some great acting performances by Ian Holm, Ian Charleson, and Alice Krige. The dialogue is well-written. This isn't a bad movie, but the fact that it beat out brilliant RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK for Best Picture in 1981 stuns me.
The only thing standing between this movie and a G-rating is one "s" word (which was dubbed in by the director so he could get a PG rating). Other than that, there is no language, no violence, and no sexual content/nudity. Drinking was hardly noticeable.
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AGE
Be aware that althought this movie is positive, it does contain a lot of drinking & smoking as well as brief nudity.
The story is positive and I really admire someone for standing for something (in this case a runner who chooses not to run on the Sunday as it is the Sabbath day). However, parents should know there is a lot of drinking and smoking throughout the movie - especially by athletes. Also, a male locker room scene that displays brief nudity.
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AGE
good, but kind of
there was drinking and a string of bad words and kisses shared, but mostly a great story
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AGE
Stand up for what you believe in
Great movie with strong moral spine
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AGE
pretty good
I'll admit the main reason I wanted to see this movie was because of the scoring and the name(doesn't it sound epic). I had high expectations for it. They weren't let down, but they weren't fulfilled either. It was interesting the ending kind of left you saying "that was pretty cool, i guess" this isn't a bad thing but just don't set your expectations to high like i did. it is a good movie though with good acting and directing, i would recommend it.
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AGE
Great Movie for Older Viewers
Chariots of Fire has become one of my favorite movies for me and all the others who I tell the story to. The story has a great plot, Eric Liddell faith and commitment to God, and the conflict between his running agianst Abrahams and the conflict of him refusing to run on the Christian Sabbath, in his strongest event.
I love how the movie was based off the actual event's of Olympic gold medalists Eric Liddell and Harold Abrahams, however, some of the events are not accurate to the true story.
The only concerns I have for the younger audience are the Alcohol refrences and how the story might be harder for younger viewers. I think that it would be a good idea for parents to explain what is happening in order for it to be enjoyable for the whole family.
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| Topics: | sports and martial arts, history |
| Studio: | Warner Bros. |
| Director: | Hugh Hudson |
| Cast: | Ian Charleson, Nicholas Farrell, Nigel Havers |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 124 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | September 25, 1981 |
| DVD release date: | February 1, 2005 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
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