Review of Chariots of Fire (1981) by Zero X — 31 Jan 2011
Since I first heard it in Buick commercials from the early 90s, followed by its identification in 1998, the eponymous theme song hasn't ceased to conjure up feelings of perseverance and triumph. So it was with great expectations of Vangelis and the movie that I approached this DVD.
As a period piece, authenticity is crucial in setting the mood. The acting was very real, especially during the grueling races, where you can see the hunger for victory and pain of loss etched in each sprinter's face. Costumes, especially on the English side, seemed perfectly natural despite the low-budget feel to the movie. The authentic cinematography is further enhanced by the decision to shoot in all weather (though this was based on their budget, rather than aesthetics). However, the overall lack of character cohesiveness and awkwardly anachronistic synth keep this classic from holding its ground against the likes of Remember the Titans and Friday Night Lights.
Though it isn't really a detraction, without our moderate background knowledge of WWI and historical Jewish persecution, several cultural nuances could've been missed. I still wonder how the average American public of the 80s could've waded through the layers of history for the inspirational sports movie underneath. More importantly, I still found myself wondering who was who among the side characters towards the end of the movie. It was only after watching the documentaries that I finally solidified my grasp on the multitude of supporting characters. Though Liddell and Abrahams are prominently central to this film, the fact that so many "emotional" scenes are spent w/ the rest of the cast demands deeper development. However, Sam Mussabini provides a notable exception in what may be his most famous scene.
Vangelis disappoints further by providing nothing more than background noise that abruptly pops in to remind the viewer that this is a product of the 80s, when everything synth was novel. Furthermore, the actual theme is only used in a completely unrelated title scene, which is replayed during the credits.
Granted, Chariots of Fire was one of the firsts of the genre, and perhaps the only well-known inspirational movie about sprinting.
--1/31/11.
This review of Chariots of Fire (1981) was written by Zero X on 31 Jan 2011.
Chariots of Fire has generally received positive reviews.
Was this review helpful?
