Chariots of Fire (1981) - First Time Watching
Added 2024-07-20 06:19:45 +0000 UTCParis then and Paris Olympics now, so cool! This was such a beautiful setting and time period, I loved the costumes and properness and it felt romantic. I now know where the very classic song originates but not how I expected! I did think it was a teensy bit slow in a few places and not as much oomph as other sports movies I have loved but I did love learning of their stories.
Comments
Watched this today, Cried like the first time I saw it, in the eighties. Such a wonderful movie. Loved Ian Holm as the trainer Sam Mussabini!
John Burns
2025-07-30 07:14:44 +0000 UTCA Film of Good Men… deserving of all its accolades, forever reminding us, the Greatest Force in the World… the infinite Goodness, from which we All Hail, resides Within. This film gets better every time I watch it. Excellent Reaction! Thank You, Cass. :-)
Larry Darrell
2024-09-21 18:11:32 +0000 UTCREFUND?!?!? REFUND?!?! The screenplay won an Oscar for good reasons. Love this movie so much.
Marja
2024-07-24 20:18:21 +0000 UTCI forgot how much Gilbert & Sullivan there is in this movie.
Stick Figure Studios
2024-07-23 17:27:25 +0000 UTCThe scene where the French 400 meter runner elbows Liddell into the infield, and Liddell gets up, catches and passes him is one of the most inspiring scenes in a sports movie I've ever watched. I have a clip of that bookmarked and watch it any time I feel like blowing off a workout.
Above Average Dave
2024-07-23 14:47:01 +0000 UTCSo the "experts" were wrong even back then. Good to know!
Above Average Dave
2024-07-23 14:44:02 +0000 UTCWWI was the first war where the technology was truly industrial, yet the tactics remained mired in the 19th Century (as did the medical abilities and techniques). As a result you had grossly disfigured survivors of poison gas attacks, as well as multiple amputees surviving the war and trying to fit back into society. You watched 1917, which gives a taste of this war. Also, JRR Tolkien used his experiences in the trenches and the battlefields direct analogies for Mordor, including the swamps where Gollum tells Frodo not to look at the lights—Tolkien's experience with all the bodies in the swamps and "human sucking" mud during the Battle of the Somme—and the giant marching army of Orcs and Uruk-Hai.
Above Average Dave
2024-07-23 14:42:05 +0000 UTCLiddell and Abrahams did race against each other in the Olympics. It was for the 200m: Liddell finished 3rd (behind the two Americans) and Abrahams was 6th.
René Ferland
2024-07-23 03:01:51 +0000 UTCI like the way you think 👍
Dan M
2024-07-22 22:44:55 +0000 UTCI find the pacing, acting, photography, costume design, production design and story-telling to be a triumph! I was raised on watching series like Masterpiece Theatre, Mystery and so on, and therefore have no issue with the seemingly slow (to some) build-up. Ben Cross and Ian Charleston were both magnetic but Ian Holm (Alien, anyone? Perhaps Bilbo Baggins?) should also get a shoutout as Sam Mussabini. Love this movie, and I’m so glad there’s a thoughtful reaction to it!
Marja
2024-07-22 22:43:24 +0000 UTCThis is great! Thank you!
Above Average Dave
2024-07-22 21:33:08 +0000 UTCI noticed that too! At first I thought there was someone else on the room with me. Freaked me out a little, lol.
TigerDelta
2024-07-22 17:44:16 +0000 UTCOh man, Breaking Away... Hadn't thought about that one in a minute. What an amazing performance and movie.
SpiffMan
2024-07-22 12:00:23 +0000 UTCAdorable main character. Hugh Jackman. Canadian Olympics. Plus Cassie seems to be hitting "Like" on all comments recommending the film. Resistance is clearly futile.
Clarence Newman
2024-07-22 08:41:51 +0000 UTCwell that sounds amazing!!!
Cassie
2024-07-22 04:46:50 +0000 UTCgone too soon so toung
Cassie
2024-07-22 04:43:37 +0000 UTCi wondered what the facial damage was from. so sad
Cassie
2024-07-22 04:43:12 +0000 UTCoooh should we do a poll?! thanks for this awesome list! I have actually seen slumdog, killed me and i loved it!
Cassie
2024-07-22 04:42:07 +0000 UTCoh wow thank you for this! very special
Cassie
2024-07-22 04:37:35 +0000 UTCThe blonde American runner was Dave from Breaking Away, the greatest sports movie of all time. Not that that should influence you.
Thomas Thompson
2024-07-22 04:01:58 +0000 UTCThank you.
Stick Figure Studios
2024-07-22 02:41:13 +0000 UTCThank You SFS! That 'yet-to-react-to list' is fantastic!
Terry Yelmene
2024-07-22 00:19:14 +0000 UTC"Be the run... you are the run!" ~ Cassie As was mentioned by the head master to the incoming Cambridge freshmen, this was the generation of a new start, after the war "to end all wars." And Paris as the location for this first full four years post WWI Olympiad was meant to symbolize Europe's recovery. The world was coming back to continent after the ravages of all the awful devastation. The 1924 games were highly distinguished from its 6 predecessors and tranquil without the tensions that would arise in Berlin in 1936. So the return to Paris this year marking the 100 year anniversary of those storied games is very special.
Terry Yelmene
2024-07-22 00:12:22 +0000 UTCCassie, Ahh yes The Prince Of Wales who became Edward VIII and abdicated the thrown for Wallis Simpson but was also photographed with Hitler, The Nazis and the SS. Enough about that though. Eva and I went and saw Twisters today. We have our tickets for Friday Deadpool and Wolverine. She told me today as we were trying to guess your age. That she absolutely loves you. I am 44 Eva is 7 years younger than me. She thinks you are younger than she is but not by much. We think we have it nailed down though. We think. This is classic movie and a great score. Although we like Race the movie about Jesse Owens better. You have to start with the classics. As always much ❤️ to you Ben and Carly. As always you are in our 🙏.
Zachary K. (Verified Swiftie)
2024-07-21 22:22:28 +0000 UTCTom Cruise probably told James Cameron to start watching PIB.
Uncle Phoenix
2024-07-21 22:09:28 +0000 UTCI inadvertently replied via an original post, so here is my reply. Thanks for giving the list of her reactions to Best Picture Winners. My top choies of your recommended list are The Deer Hunter, Gandhi, The Last Emperor, No Country for Old Men, Slumdog Millionaire, and Oppeheimer. All awesome. She has seen Argo (great movie). She reacted to The Apartment (one of my favorite black/white movies).
Clay F
2024-07-21 22:06:23 +0000 UTCThey also did an anniversary showing of it for a day or two this year. Around when she reacted to it, actually.
Chris Thom
2024-07-21 20:12:18 +0000 UTCDid anyone else notice that The Abyss is now more widely available since Cassie and Carly reacted to it? I hope James Cameron knows how well regarded his movies are. (Including “Aliens”)
Uncle Phoenix
2024-07-21 19:55:06 +0000 UTCCass and Carr would love “SLUMDOG…”
Uncle Phoenix
2024-07-21 19:34:44 +0000 UTCPLEASE NOTE: This film will play uncut and commercial free on Turner Classic Movies today. If anyone wants to avoid a rental of it. 5PM Pacific Time.
Steve Holton
2024-07-21 18:34:08 +0000 UTCAs was mentioned for the Upcoming announcing this movie - now go find a YouTube clip of Mr Bean at the London Olympics closing ceremony.
2-Can
2024-07-21 17:35:11 +0000 UTCCassie... thank you for watching this movie.. one of my all time favorites. So much to say about this one. 1st, its funny you mentioned Hogwarts at the start of the reaction because the guy who was checking them in on their first day of college is the guy who played Vernon Dursley in the Harry Potter movies. Second, this movie is very inspirational and the Christian parallels of being in a race that Eric Liddell mentions is awesome in and of itself and just inspiring people to want to win in life. And what more can I say about that score by Vangelis .. amazing. As always, your reaction was awesome to watch.. I'm glad you overall liked it and was moved by the power of the messaging in it. I hope you had a great vacation and looking forward to your future reviews.
Johnny Bullis
2024-07-21 17:00:13 +0000 UTCOops. My bad. I think I was conflating it with CINDERELLA MAN.
Stick Figure Studios
2024-07-21 15:33:05 +0000 UTCShe did not react to it but I believe it's on her list of already seen movies from before the channel.
Oisin Clissmann
2024-07-21 13:22:23 +0000 UTCI just watched The Young Woman and the Sea which takes place around the same time as Chariots of Fire. It is about the first woman that swam the English Channel. A very small part of that movie features her competing in the Paris Olympics. I highly recommend this movie.
Stephen Last
2024-07-21 12:20:05 +0000 UTCShe did A Beautiful Mind?? Are you sure? I don't think it's up anymore if she did.
Chris Thom
2024-07-21 10:21:20 +0000 UTCStick, thanks for giving the list of her reactions to Best Picture Winners. My top choies of your recommended list are The Deer Hunter, Gandhi, The Last Emperor, No Country for Old Men, Slumdog Millionaire, and Oppeheimer. All awesome. She has seen Argo (great movie). She reacted to The Apartment (one of my favorite black/white movies).
Clay F
2024-07-21 08:28:13 +0000 UTCThat is my sentiment.
Clay F
2024-07-21 08:21:12 +0000 UTCJust FYI, Cassie, with this viewing of CHARIOTS OF FIRE, you have now watched 26 Best Picture Winners for the channel. 1934: It Happened One Night 1943: Casablanca 1946: The Best Years of Our Lives 1957: The Bridge on the River Kwai 1959: Ben-Hur 1960: The Apartment 1967: In the Heat of the Night 1972: The Godfather 1973: The Sting 1974: The Godfather: Part II 1976: Rocky 1981: Chariots of Fire 1984: Amadeus 1986: Platoon 1988: Rain Man 1990: Dances with Wolves 1991: The Silence of the Lambs 1992: Unforgiven 1993: Schindler’s List 1995: Braveheart 2000: Gladiator 2003: LOTR: Return of the King 2006: The Departed 2009: The Hurt Locker 2013: 12 Years a Slave 2022: Everything Everywhere All At Once And if I can recommend some more that I think would make for a good reaction, they'd be these: 1939: Gone with the Wind 1940: Rebecca 1941: How Green Was My Valley 1951: An American in Paris 1954: On the Waterfront 1962: Lawrence of Arabia 1966: A Man for All Seasons 1969: Midnight Cowboy 1971: The French Connection 1977: Annie Hall 1978: The Deer Hunter 1979: Kramer vs. Kramer 1980: Ordinary People 1982: Gandhi 1983: Terms of Endearment 1987: The Last Emperor 2002: Chicago 2007: No Country for Old Men 2008: Slumdog Millionaire 2011: The Artist 2014: Birdman 2021: CODA 2023: Oppenheimer
Stick Figure Studios
2024-07-21 08:01:52 +0000 UTCEnjoyable movie had never got round to watching it, so glad i did. Also was there a demon in your room what were those random voices lol
Gray
2024-07-21 07:27:24 +0000 UTCOne of the most striking scenes to me is the two veterans helping with the baggage for tips in the beginning, the facial damage from the mustard gas, the medals on their jackets, a constant reminder of the horrors of war for everyone to see every day. Since the first time i saw this film that scene has stayed with me.
Keith Jones
2024-07-21 05:18:51 +0000 UTCIan Charleson - who portrayed Eric Liddell - sadly passed away (at just 40) nine years after the film came out. One of my favourite films of all time.
Dez
2024-07-21 04:55:38 +0000 UTCInteresting that the executive producer of this movie was Dodi Fayed, paramour of Princess Diana. It was touched on in the last season of The Crown, but seeing this movie adds context into his own attempt, as an outsider, to gain acceptance in society (and why he would want to produce it).
2-Can
2024-07-21 03:03:05 +0000 UTCThat was a moth? I thought that Ben was getting ready to die, because he was riding a motorcycle in Cassie's parents house. Great reaction, thanks. Oh, and you'll enjoy Eddie the Eagle.
Bill Hayden
2024-07-21 01:27:36 +0000 UTCI've seen this movie before, it was decades ago, but this was the first time I noticed that Ian Holm played Abrahams' trainer. For Cassie, that might be Bilbo Baggins in the Lord of the Rings movies, or Ash from Alien. Ben Livingstone also pointed that out. Another movie with running and a great score is the Australian World War I movie Gallipoli (1981) starring Mel Gibson. It would be a solid choice for 11/11, Remembrance Day, this November. And as mentioned previously, The Bounty (1984) would combine both Mel Gibson and another spectacular score by Vangelis. It's about a mutiny aboard the sailing ship Bounty in the south pacific, also starring a pre-Silence of the Lambs Anthony Hopkins, and a very young Daniel Day Lewis.
Jesus F Christ
2024-07-21 00:36:23 +0000 UTCThis was my first time watching this movie. I love historical movies. Cassie thanks for giving me a reason to finally watch this movie.
Rick Williams
2024-07-20 21:46:50 +0000 UTCIt's ok Cassie the movie is a yawner. Great sound track though. I would've switched places with I Tonya and this movie.
Vlad D
2024-07-20 17:34:47 +0000 UTCI've never watched this fully. Only bits and pieces of it. I did hear it was a bit slow as well, but a good film nonetheless.
Wxyz@73
2024-07-20 15:47:20 +0000 UTC“Bit slow in a few places” isn’t really fair. It was only the middle 1 hr. 55 min. that was slow. My folks took me and my brothers to the theater to see this when it first came out. The whole family fell asleep five minutes into the movie. We felt it was the most boring thing we’d ever “seen.” Now, a little more than forty years later I have a better perspective, and realize that sound asleep is the best way to watch this movie. PS: Probably not a popular opinion here, but I think “Without Limits” starring Billy Crudup in the true story of Steve Prefontaine is a far better movie. PPS: Why has no one ever made a movie telling the story of champion hurdler Edwin Moses? In the 70s and 80s, he won more than 100 consecutive finals in the 400 meter hurdles, setting the world record 4 times, all while being a vocal and influential advocate for reforms in eligibility standards and drug testing. Yet, his story seems lost to history.
Just Plain Bob
2024-07-20 15:46:44 +0000 UTCIconic score from Vangelis, but unfortunately I just think the film is just really boring tried a couple of times, once when I was in my late teens in the 90s and the other was about five years ago. I’m hoping Cassie going to watch Eddie the Eagle as it’s a fun movie and completely different to this and Munich.
Dean Holt
2024-07-20 15:42:27 +0000 UTCEric Liddell was a missionary to China from 1925 to 1945. He was interned by the Japanese in 1942 and ministered tirelessly to the other inmates until his death from a brain tumour just before the camp was liberated.
Ted Little
2024-07-20 15:39:13 +0000 UTCFun facts for you; the iconic opening beach running scene while supposed to be in Kent was actually filmed on St Andrews beach in Scotland and every year there is a charity 'Chariots of Fire Beach Run', you run a mile along the beach and back to the music and everyone wears white! I've done it twice and it's the most amazing thing to take part in other than the London Marathon!
Stuart Biegala
2024-07-20 15:26:39 +0000 UTCThis movie was good not great but good. I most remember the score to it. Which was classic great story. Looks like we're going to be up late watching movies with Cassie tonight. Since we couldn't start Munich we were both just exhausted last night . Fly Me To The Moon the movie that your going to drag Ben to this weekend is actually a song by Frank Sinatra https://youtu.be/ZEcqHA7dbwM?si=ddWy4msL6vwzBNjh Great story about Frank Sinatra he actually flew Jay Sebring out to Vegas to cut his hair because he didn't trust anyone else. Sebring lived in house in LA that supposedly had a curse to it. He was murdered August 9zh, 1969 along with 5 others by the Manson Family.
Zachary K. (Verified Swiftie)
2024-07-20 14:10:46 +0000 UTCI remember seeing Raiders of the Lost Ark in a theatre. One of the best movie going experiences I’ve ever had. And a big part of the thrill was hearing that John Williams score on those theatre speakers. I still get goose bumps whenever I hear it.
Dan M
2024-07-20 12:55:35 +0000 UTCKeeping my fingers crossed that she watches it after the 3 medal winners.
Dan M
2024-07-20 12:50:24 +0000 UTCI have never seen this movie from start to finish. I’ve always only caught bits and pieces here and there. Don’t know why I’ve never bothered to watch the whole movie. But now, I’m really looking forward to enjoying it with you for the first time over the weekend. Of course, like most people, I am very familiar with the theme song. And, being a part time DJ, I’ve played the song each time I’ve DJ’d for our local 5K Run as the runners began the race. It really is one of the most inspiring pieces of music, whether you’re an athlete or not.
Dan M
2024-07-20 12:48:28 +0000 UTCI may have seen a small amount of this movie before but don't remember, so I count this as my first watch. I very much liked the movie. Had a richness about it. An excellent period piece . One of my favorite parts of the movie was the minutes leading up to the 100. I enjoyed your reaction. Abrahams was with the guys carrying Liddell after Liddell won the 400. I watch several of the sports in the Summer Olympics. I like that I can watch bits and pieces as a survey of the events from beginning to end of the Olympics. I watch some boxing, track and field, volleyball, diving, swimming, gymnastics, etc. I always look forward to the Olympics.
Clay F
2024-07-20 09:52:25 +0000 UTCEddie The Eagle is a great Olympics movie! Please watch
David Bunnetto
2024-07-20 09:38:35 +0000 UTCRoger Bannister qualifies as a superhuman. A few years prior to his iconic 4 minute mile, the medical community (either a prominent doctor or the fancy club they have) issued a statement saying that it was impossible for a human to run a mile in under 4 minutes. If anyone attempted to do so (they said), "their heart would explode". I promise that's not a joke. I read it in a book so it has to be kosher.
Clarence Newman
2024-07-20 09:20:54 +0000 UTCI've been keeping a record. She has hinted that she'll watch Eddie the Eagle 4 times and almost possibly came close to allegedly promising us that she'd do so at least once. In the Youtube and Patreon worlds, that amounts to a pinky swear.
Clarence Newman
2024-07-20 09:10:23 +0000 UTCThe son of one of Roger Bannisters friends and 4 min mile pacer who is a character in this film, is my boss. He’s shared a few stories with me about his dad’s time with Roger. His 4 min mile vest hangs in his office, alongside his Team GB vest from the 1956 Olympics. I can see it from my desk and it’s very inspiring. I’ve never watched this film, but I’ve been meaning too. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to finally see it.
Biggman83
2024-07-20 08:41:15 +0000 UTC“why does this feel like hogwarts a bit” Well that is Harry’s uncle Richard Griffith. haha
djKENTO
2024-07-20 07:36:26 +0000 UTCMussabini is Bilbo! "Plebeian" means commoner. The Cambridge toffs were worried that Abrahams was becoming too working-class, by working with a professional coach. The Olympic rules about only allowing professionals were often about excluding those who needed to work for a living. "The Ants Go Marching" used to be more known as "When Johnny Comes Marching Home." Before that, it was an anti-war song called "Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ye."
Ben Livingstone
2024-07-20 07:28:19 +0000 UTCOh I know. I’m just saying for a while they were in love with him and his sound. You’re right about 1492. Forgot about that.
djKENTO
2024-07-20 07:22:24 +0000 UTCWell... Evangelos Odysseas Papathanassiou (known as Vengelis) composed music for some 40+ films (movies and documentaries) from the 1960s till his death in 2022 (his last film score was around 2015 or so). Most of them are lesser known foreign films. This movie brought him to the spotlight. His next biggest soundtrack was 1992s movie 1492: Conquest of Paradise. But film scores were only some of the music he composed and produced.
D. T. Nelson
2024-07-20 07:19:41 +0000 UTCAhh.. Chariots of Fire. I remember this film winning lots of Academy Awards (‘82), despite people - like my mom and dad - coming away from the movie theater like… “It was okay, I guess.” I saw it years later on HBO. Now, it’s competitor that year for Best Picture was “Raiders of the Lost Ark” (Indiana Jones) which my dad and I saw together and thought it was the best movie we’d ever seen! “Chariots...” also won for Best Original Score [I just looked that up to refresh my memory] but I remember John Williams’ Indiana Jones theme so much more. I often wondered if Steven Spielberg lost that year for Best Director/Best Picture because of his close association with George Lucas, who wrote it. Still, looking forward to the reaction!
Ike
2024-07-20 07:13:14 +0000 UTCI think she said she might react to Eddie the Eagle?
Clay F
2024-07-20 07:02:20 +0000 UTCFor the record I think you would enjoy Eddie the Eagle. It relates to the Calgary 88 Winter Olympics, so that almost makes it your Canadian duty to watch it 😉
James UK
2024-07-20 06:50:18 +0000 UTCI really love the score here. There was this time in the 80s where Vangelis had a grip on unconventional movie scores. They do this, then Blade Runner.And then The Bounty which is a movie an English ship in the late 1700s but it has a BANGER synth soundtrack like it's an 80s sci-fi movie. Then they kinda fade away as a composer... not doing another MAJOR film until the 2004 flop Alexander.
djKENTO
2024-07-20 06:48:38 +0000 UTCNot one I have seen. Surprised this actually made the cut. I think it is more due to the score.
Brian McGovern
2024-07-20 06:44:37 +0000 UTC
