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Chariots of Fire

1981·Movie
2h 3min·PG
76
GreatGoodWatch score

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Chariots of Fire fingerprint

Big heart, strong craft, no humor.

Energy

Calm and low-key

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Adrenaline6
  • Tension6
  • Fast Pace6

Heart

Hopeful and cathartic

  • Hopefulness8
  • Catharsis8
  • Nostalgia8

Humor

A little humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay3
  • Satire & Parody2
  • Situational Comedy1

World

Sports, history, and faith and meaning

Lived-in and easy to get lost in. Holds up on a rewatch.

  • World Immersion8
  • Rewatchability8
  • Dialogue Centrality7

Craft

Standout performances, direction, and storytelling

  • Acting9
  • Direction8
  • Narrative Structure8

Style

Standout score and cinematography

  • Music Composition9
  • Cinematography8
  • Music Centrality8

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFamily Movie NightFriends NightIntergenerationalKidsPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensBackground WatchComfort WatchDrop-in FriendlyThought-Provoking

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Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

This is the story of two men who run, not to run, but to prove something to the world. They will sacrifice anything to achieve their goals... except their honor.

In the class-obsessed and religiously divided UK of the early 1920s, two determined young runners train for the 1924 Paris Olympics. Eric Liddell, a devout Christian born to Scottish missionaries in China, sees running as part of his worship of God's glory and refuses to train or compete on the Sabbath. Harold Abrahams overcomes anti-Semitism and class bias, but neglects his beloved sweetheart in his single-minded quest.
Historical DramaInspirationalSportsBritish CinemaClass ConflictFaith & DeterminationPeriod PieceUnderdog StoryMotivational1920s

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Chariots of Fire

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Chariots of Fire legally?

You can rent or buy it from Apple TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Google Play Movies. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is Chariots of Fire worth watching?

76
GreatGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 76/100 (IMDb 7.1, Rotten Tomatoes 84%, and Metacritic 78). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Chariots of Fire rated?

PG

It's rated PG in the United States.

How long is Chariots of Fire?

2 h 3 min

Chariots of Fire runs 2 h 3 min.

Is Chariots of Fire based on a true story?

Yes. It's based on real events or a real person's life.

Do critics and audiences agree on Chariots of Fire?

Critics81
Audiences73

Not quite. Critics rate Chariots of Fire higher (81) than audiences (73). It may be more rewarding than it is crowd-pleasing.

Was Chariots of Fire a box office hit?

Budget$6 million
Box office$59 million

Yes, a big one. It cost about $6 million to make and earned $59 million worldwide, 10.7 times its budget.

What language is Chariots of Fire in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United Kingdom, United States.

In how many countries can I watch Chariots of Fire?

80ADAEALARATAUAZBABEBGBOBRBZCA+66

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Chariots of Fire in 80 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does Chariots of Fire use?

Mission from GodSerious BusinessDetermined ExpressionRule of CoolParodies of FireFraming StoryTraining MontageSpinning PaperPatriotic FervorArtistic License – HistoryBrilliant, but LazyChild of Two Worldsand 36 more

TV Tropes lists 48 storytelling tropes for Chariots of Fire, including Mission from God, Serious Business, Determined Expression.