Chariots of Fire on DVD
Our story begins with a shot of the Oxford team running along the beaches of England. It’s a very famous scene and tells us that this movie is about running. But it’s not only about runnning in the physical sense, it is about completing one’s mission in life.
For Harold Abrams, it’s about winning at all costs. He is a Jew, a privileged, Jew in Oxford studying to be a barrister of law. He is also a very talented runner gunning for the ultimate prize in his sport. His drive, his motive comes from being an outsider in a world of elites. He feels “it” at the cold end of a handshake. The “it” being the scorn felt at being Jewish in Protestant and Anglo Saxon England. He must prove himself in order to prove all of England wrong about Jewish inferiority.
For Eric Liddle, there is a different goal. He too strives for Olympic gold, but for something beyond the medal itself. Mr. Liddle is a man of God. He runs because it is a gift from God and none other. He runs because it is a testimony to the glory of God.
Harold Abrams seeks the glory of men. Eric Liddle seeks the glory of God. At their first meet, Abrams is beaten soundly by the animal running of Liddle. It is a shocking lesson in losing for the hope of Oxford. He is devastated by the shattered illusion that he this best runner, and must begin to challenge and train with a new coach.
Eric Liddle sees little in the competition that Abrams poses or from any man for that matter. He must preach the word of God to men who come to see him run.
But even for Liddle there are obstacles of a personal sort. There is concern that in the headlong pursuit for Olympic gold, Liddle will lose sight of what’s at the end- the Kingdom of Heaven. He realizes that he has a gift that’s been given. It isn’t his to take away.
There are other English runners in the movie who have a shared goal in winning for their country. There’s the aristocratic friend of Abrams who aims at being one of the best, but not the best. There is also Montague another school chum who rests in the fact that he is a challenger but not a frontrunner. Both runners know their place is to run well for their country. It’s a refreshing contrast to the unbridled drive of Harold Abrams. He needs his friends and girlfriend() to support him and understand his passion.
Mr. Abrams integrity is put to question by the dons of Oxford, played by Sir John Geilgud and some other guy. He is accussed that in his “headlong pursuit” of individual glory, he has adopted an attittude that is contrary to the honorable way of the amateur.
This is the Oxford way. Not only is Mr. Abrams offended, he is challenged and goes on the rhetorical offensive. In a brilliant oratorical display, the shaken Jew eloquently presents the case that his motives are purely for god, country and university. He “bitterly resents” anything being said to the contrary.
The runners are also presented by the international challenge that the Olympics presents. This generates solidarity within the group of disparate athleles.
Eric Liddle is presented with his first moral dilemma during the games. He asked to run on Sunday, the day of the Lord, against his will. In a dramatic scene involving the future king of England and the owner of the team, Mr. Liddle is pressured by political strong-arming. It is the ultimate test of is loyalty to his country and to his God.
Ultimately, God wins in the end and affairs are arranged such that Mr. Liddle can run on another day.
Both runners end up winning gold medals for their country. For Liddle, there is contentment that he has won for the kingdom of heaven. For Abrams, it’s a different matter.
He is once again devastated. Though he has won the race, he has lost the battle. He must look for meaning elsewhere in life. The last scene shows the runners once again running the beaches of England, this time Mr. Liddle is included as part of the elite group. It’s as if all they are running in future glory together, as men, as children of God.
Chariots of Fire is fascinating in the way it challenges us. It teaches us that we are not only to stive for excellence in this life but in the life to come. Amen.
