Directed by: Hugh Hudson
Starring: Ben Cross, Ian Charleson, Nicholas Farrell, Nigel Havers, Ian Holm
MPAA Rating: PG
Distributed by: Warner Home Video
Release Date: July 10, 2012
Running Time: 124 minutes
Blu-ray Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Film Score: 3 out of 5 stars
Extras Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars
When it comes to sports movies, I am usually not the first one in line. Though for some strange reason, I have a soft spot for the Olympics. And “Chariots of Fire” is such a well-known film in that category. It is also the winner of four Academy Awards including Best Picture, which is quite impressive also. The story follows two British track athletes, one a determined Jew, and the other a devout Christian who compete in the 1924 Olympics. I have to admit prior to this release, I have never seen this but now quite glad I did. It really packs some really emotional and intense moments and topped off with great performances. Warner Bros wins again with this Digibook release of the film contains 36 pages of behind-the-scenes photos, production art, history and more. This is worth the purchase alone of this release.
This Blu-ray release looks very nice on Blu-ray. Warner Bros did a real nice job with the 1080p transfer and packs an very sharp DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 audio track, which really captures the magnitude of the Olympics. This release also comes packaged with a soundtrack sampler featuring 4 songs from the Oscar-winning compilation. If all that isn’t enough there are two all new documentaries: “Paris, 1924: Birth of the Modern Games- David Puttnam” and “A Cinematic Champion”. Definitely worth checking out. There is a new interview with director Hugh Hudson as well as a commentary track from him. Additional documentaries included are “Wings on their Heels: The Making of Chariots of Fire” and “Chariots of Fire: A Reunion”. Lastly there are some deleted scenes and screen tests included as well.
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Premise: Winner of four Academy Awards(R) including Best Picture! The inspiring true story of British athletes competing in the 1924 Olympics. Ben Cross and Ian Charleson head a sterling cast of newcomers and veterans. The story, told in flashback, of two young British sprinters competing for fame in the 1924 Olympics. Eric, a devout Scottish missionary runs because he knows it must please God. Harold, the son of a newly rich Jew runs to prove his place in Cambridge society.