Plot: What’s it about?
Eric Liddell (Ian Charleson) is a devout Christian, a man who has devoted his life to God’s work and using his skills however he can. He has served as a missionary and traveled the world, but he has a new plan in mind to bring glory to what God has given him. Harold Abrahams (Ben Cross) is also a determined man, but he seeks to prove his social worth. His father has just become a financial success and because he is Jewish, Harold feels he must prove himself. The two seem to be on very different paths, but in truth, both men are soon to travel the same path in search of the same destination. Both men are sprinters and both wish to perform at the 1924 Olympic Games, but not just to show up. No, these two men seek to be the best and win the gold medal, despite the odds that might be stacked against them. The two compete against each other in a warm up race and while Harold hired a trainer to push him to his best performance. Then Eric finds himself under pressure when he is ordered to run on a Sunday, something he is unwilling to do. As each man faces his obstacles and pushes forward, will either man be able to capture the coveted gold?
This movie won the honor of Best Picture, but when Warner released Chariots of Fire to DVD, a full frame only release with no extras was all we were given. After an extensive wait, Warner has finally come through and given the film a respectable treatment. An all new visual transfer, a remastered soundtrack, and even some supplements can all be found here. The film itself has a rather low profile these days, which is a shame, as this can be a moving motion picture. I think because this is a movie about athletes, people assume Chariots of Fire follows the standard sports movie formula. But that couldn’t be more absurd, as this movie takes a much more realistic, grounded view on the sports world. The film is based on real life events and unlike most reality inspired movies, the story here stays close to the real events. As such, the movie has a slower pace and focuses more on character development, which really enhances the emotional context. The stage is epic, the quest for Olympic glory, but this is at heart a personal, character driven picture. The performances are strong, with no weak links in the chain, while even the music seems perfect for this material. This is just a powerful, inspirational movie and with this new Special Edition, Chariots of Fire earns a high recommendation.
Video: How does it look?
Chariots of Fire is presented in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen. The previous disc offered only a lame full frame version, which left fans more than a little disappointed. As the credits began, I was a little concerned, as the visuals came off as soft and showed a lot of grain. But once the film started, those flaws vanished and the image was quite solid. The age and nature of the material lends a certain softness, so don’t expect pristine details, but the movie looks terrific. The print is in superb condition though, with minimal debris to report and grain is held to a minimum in most scenes. I found colors to be warm and natural, not overly bright, but effective, while contrast is smooth throughout. The second time was the charm for this movie and all past debts have been paid, as Chariots of Fire looks quite good here.
Audio: How does it sound?
A new Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack has been created for this release, but to honest, I was let down by this revamped treatment. The music sounds excellent, thanks to the added presence and the music is crucial here, so that is a big time positive. The other elements don’t come across as well however, thanks in part to poor separation of the individual elements within the soundtrack. The dialogue is the major casualty, as the vocals seem a little lost at times in this new track. I suppose some tweaks could have solved this issue, but as it stands, it can be hard to hear all the dialogue. This release also includes a French language track, as well as subtitles in English, Spanish, and French.
Supplements: What are the extras?
An audio commentary with director Hugh Hudson is up first, a session which has more insight than even diehard fans could demand. He covers the entire production, from conception to completion and never shies off controversial topics. So you’ll hear the highs and lows, with all points in between covered also, on both technical and anecdotal issues. A half hour featurette examines the film’s production, but is too brief to allow genuine insight. You can also view a collection of new cast and crew interviews, in which memories are shared about how the film was created. This release also includes a selection of deleted scenes, screen tests, and the film’s theatrical trailer.
