Despite winning the Best Picture Oscar for 1981 with considerable competition (Atlantic City, On Golden Pond, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Reds), Chariots of Fire is a forgotten about masterpiece. Not only is it an overlooked classic, it is one of the great sports films, and maybe more impressive it is a film that makes running intriguing. It tells the story of two rivals playing in the same event for the same country: a devout Christian Scotsman and a Cambridge Jew with a chip on his shoulder. As they prepare to run against each other for England in the 1924 Olympics, we learn about each character's motivations and circumstances come into place that allow them to both achieve gold. Here is a historical film that feels as if it is being shot at the time it records, yet just as engaging as the latest summer blockbuster. The theme music is awe-inspiring and Chariots of Fire proves to be a forgotten treasure that deserves to be rediscovered.
***1/2
