Chariots of Fire (Two-Disc Special Edition)

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The come-from-behind winner of the 1981 Oscar for best picture, Chariots of Fire either strikes you as either a cold exercise in mechanical manipulation or as a tale of true determination and inspiration. The heroes are an unlikely pair of young athletes who ran for Great Britain in the 1924 Paris Olympics: devout Protestant Eric Liddell (Ian Charleson), a divinity student whose running makes him feel closer to God, and Jewish Harold Abrahams (Ben Cross), a highly competitive Cambridge student who has to surmount the institutional hurdles of class prejudice and anti-Semitism. There's delicious support from Ian Holm (as Abrahams's coach) and John Gielgud and Lindsay Anderson as a couple of Cambridge fogies. Vangelis's soaring synthesized score, which seemed to be everywhere in the early 1980s, also won an Oscar. Chariots of Fire was the debut film of British television commercial director Hugh Hudson (Greystoke) and was produced by David Puttnam. --Jim Emerson

Customer Reviews:

Inspiring Story of Commitment, Faith and Glory.......2007-08-21

Many great sports movies are about self-sacrifice for the sake of selfish goals. Rocky Balboa fought to prove something. Lou Gehrig wanted to persevere. Rudy Ruettiger just wanted to play for Notre Dame. They have obstacles, and by sheer will, overcome them.

Not Eric Liddell. Liddell wanted to glorify God. When he ran, he felt closer to God. When it came to winning, he wanted it to point toward God, not himself.

When questioned about his commitment as a Christian, and to his intention to return as a missionary to China, he replied, "I believe that God made me for a purpose. But He also made me fast, and when I run, I feel His pleasure." "Chariots of Fire" shows him as a man who never compromised, and followed through as an athlete who happened to be a Christian.

The movie contrasts Liddell against the various concerns of others. Some ran for country, others ran for their king. Some ran for the good name of their school. Others ran so that they themselves would receive honor.

Parallel to Liddell's Olympic chase is the story of Harold Abrahams, another English runner who faces quiet prejudice as a Jew from a blue color background. Abrahams worked as hard as Liddell, but his commitment was for himself. This distinction flowed in and out of various scenes.

In a time when devotion to God is not considered fashionable, Liddell refused to change his position. His faith is not made an issue -- it is nice to see a movie that does not rest in snarkish cynicism, but tolerates Liddell's faith without whitewashing it.

Aspects of the movie are fictionalized, but the essence is accurate. The filming is beautiful, and the acting solid. The music is well known, and strong throughout.

The title refers to a line in William Blake's poem, "And Did Those Feet in Ancient Time," which, itself refers to Elijah's chariot as mentioned in 2 Kings 2:11.

I fully recommend "Chariots of Fire."

Anthony Trendl
http://runnersdilemma.blogspot.com

Chariots of Fire.......2007-07-06

Based on a true story, Hudson's wonderfully acted "Fire" tells a tale of two dedicated competitors, observing the personal motivations behind each individual's quest for victory. Charleson and Cross are excellent, but so is the supporting cast, including Ian Holm (as a track coach), and John Gielgud and Lindsay Anderson as harrumphing Cambridge snobs. With an indelible synthesizer score by Vangelis, dynamic race sequences, and a rousing, triumphant climax lifting it above the shoulders of similar films, "Fire" picked up the Best Picture Oscar in 1981.

Courageous men .......2007-06-30

I have never been more moved by a movie. The courage, faith, honor, and loyal friendship through great challenges is worth seeing over and over again. The quiet men who befriended Harold regardless of his ethnic background (which took courage in that era), the lead singer who remained faithful and supportive even when she couldn't understand him...Lord Lindsay stepping aside so Eric Liddell could run in his place...

A man who stood firm in his beliefs in the face of national furor, pressure from peers of the realm and the Prince of Wales, and the lack of support from his friend/coach...an American who came up and gave a word of support and encouragement despite his own coach's negative attitude...

And that amazing moment when, running a race to God's glory, he throws his head back and begins to RUN...

I never tire of watching this movie, which I consider the best ever made.

Chariots of Fire.......2007-05-19

This is a wonderful movie and is so inspiring to watch. A++++++

Fantastic!.......2007-05-14

This is a fantastic movie. It's thoughtful, poignant, inspirational, expertly directed and well-acted. I wish the movie industry would produce more films of this caliber and depth.

Average customer rating:

Inspiring Story of Commitment, Faith and Glory
Chariots of Fire
Courageous men
Chariots of Fire
Fantastic!

Chariots of Fire (Full Screen Edition)
Starring: Nicholas Farrell , Nigel Havers , Ian Charleson , Ben Cross , and Daniel Gerroll
Director: Hugh Hudson
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: 0790731010
Release Date: 2005-02-01

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Customer Reviews:

Inspiring Story of Commitment, Faith and Glory.......2007-08-21

Chariots of Fire.......2007-07-06

Courageous men .......2007-06-30

Chariots of Fire.......2007-05-19

This is a wonderful movie and is so inspiring to watch. A++++++

Fantastic!.......2007-05-14

This is a fantastic movie. It's thoughtful, poignant, inspirational, expertly directed and well-acted. I wish the movie industry would produce more films of this caliber and depth.

Average customer rating:

Great way to start your collection of Best Pictures
Eighteen of the best movies of all time
Best Picture Oscar Collection - fantastic present
good deal but not in collectible condition
This is a great deal; looks like they fixed the problems,,,

Best Picture Oscar Collection (18-Pack)

Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Classics | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

( B ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Special Editions | Fully Loaded DVDs | Features | DVD | Video

Drama | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

Classics | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

ASIN: B0007KXRZI
Release Date: 2005-02-08

Customer Reviews:

Great way to start your collection of Best Pictures.......2007-02-03

This is the set of 18 Best Picture winners on DVD that Warner Home Video controlled the rights to as of Feb. 2005, and spans the time period 1929-1992. Some of them hold up over time, and others were given the award because of technical achievements that no longer seem important. I'll go through each one and give my opinion:

Broadway Melody of 1929 - This was the first "talkie" to win the award. The screenplay is a mediocre love story, but the song and dance numbers are good. There's even a musical number in Technicolor - "Wedding of the Painted Doll".

Grand Hotel - Won in 1932 and contained a great ensemble cast about the personal lives of guests in a fancy Berlin hotel. This is a great one that still is worthy viewing today.

Mutiny on the Bounty (1935) - Probably the best of all the pictures about the famous mutiny. Still good viewing today. An odd aside - all of the nominees for best actor that did not win were from this film - Clark Gable, Franchot Tone, and Charles Laughton.

The Great Ziegfield (1936) - After the Hays code was fully in effect, the personal aspects of Ziegfield's life had to be modified for the screen. Still, a great movie with a great performance by William Powell as the famous showman.

The Life of Emile Zola (1937) - One of those period pieces that just didn't grab me. It is a very skillfully done film, very artistic, and Paul Muni gives a tremendous performance in the title role. It's hard to believe the articulate and gentile Emile Zola is being portrayed by the same actor who was equally convincing in "Scarface".

Gone with the Wind (1939) - This movie charts the life of a Southern belle who always wanted what she didn't have and took for granted what she did have as she lives through the Civil War and reconstruction. It is the most popular film of all time and probably the biggest money-maker if you factor in inflation. It was shown in movie theatres until it made its TV debut in 1976.

Mrs. Miniver (1942) - This is a good film, and it has great acting, but it is one of those films that probably won because of the times. It depicts how the British coped while under seige during World War II as experienced by one British family headed by Mrs. Miniver.

Casablanca (1943) - This one probably won because of the wartime theme, but it is a great piece of moviemaking that just gets better with time. The chemistry between Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart just oozes off the screen. It's more what's not said than what is in this film. The fact that Bogart didn't win best actor was one of the great injustices of all time.

An American in Paris (1951) - Of course the point of this film not the plot, it is Gene Kelly's dancing, which is fabulous as always. It inspired the quickly thrown together and even more popular "Singin In the Rain".

Around the World in 80 Days (1956) - A fun adventure, David Niven is great, and how they got all of those stars to play bit parts I'll never know. However, it really doesn't hold up as a great movie 50 years after the fact.

Gigi (1958) - The academy award winner in the year of my birth just does not inspire today. There are a couple of good songs, but not many. Plus the screenplay is antiquated and outright campy by today's standards.

Ben-Hur (1959) - One of those great Bible-era epics of the 50's. Even though it is a story on a large scale, it is all of the small scale stories going on that make it great - revenge, love, loyalty, loss.

My Fair Lady (1964) - One of the great musicals starring Rex Harrison in one of his greatest and most amusing roles. Nobody did stuffy British low-key comedy like Rex. He was robbed when it came to best actor, but fortunately the Academy rectified the situation a few years later.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) - Jack Nicholson is a rebel confined to a mental institution. When he doesn't conform, the evil nurse Ratchett has him lobotimized. A great film that will stir emotions even today.

Chariots of Fire (1981) - I personally love this film about the 1924 Olympic games and the conflict between God, country, and conscience seen through the eyes of two men - one a Christian who wants to be a missionary, the other Jewish who wants to be an insider in British society. It's a love it or hate it kind of film - either you find the internal struggles of these men compelling, or you'll find it torture to sit through.

Amadeus (1984) - Another of the modern era Oscars where you either love the message and love the film, or it puts you to sleep. I really loved this one too, partly because Mozart has always interested me, and partly because Salieri was such a ridiculous creature thinking he could best God by destroying Mozart. Didn't he ever realize that the fact that he recognized Mozart's talent before everyone else did was a talent in itself? If you can't build Microsoft yourself, then the next best thing was to have bought stock in it in 1975.

Driving Miss Daisy (1989) - The story of a wealthy elderly woman and her driver from 1948 up to the mid-70's. In spite of the difference in their races and the place - Georgia - they have much in common and slowly become friends. She is Jewish and he is Black in a time and place that wasn't ordinarily welcoming to either group of people. This is a sentimental favorite of mine, plus there's some good comic one-liners in it too.

Unforgiven (1992) - A different kind of Western in which Clint Eastwood wins his first award for Best Director. Eastwood is out to avenge the scarring of a prostitute in return for money when the justice the sheriff metes out on the offending cowboy is just not satisfactory to the prostitute or her friends. Eastwood plays an ex-criminal widower trying to make a go of farming when this assignment lands in his lap. In the end, he doesn't have a hard time finding his "inner killer". A really great film. Who'd have thought in 1965 that Ramrod Rowdy Yates had it in him?

This package is a good value at eleven dollars per Oscar winner, especially when you consider one of those Oscar winners is Gone with the Wind. Plus it has a good sampling of Oscar winners from all genres up to 1992. Depending on how you feel about the more modern Oscar winners (post 1965) that are usually slower, more thoughtful films, you may or may not feel the same. To me the only real dud is Gigi.

Also note that if you buy this set, "Studio Classics Best Picture Collection", and the new "Best Picture Collection", you'll have 29 of the soon to be 79 best picture winners. Not a bad start on your collection.

My only real complaints are that there have been four changes that should be incorporated into the pack to really make it complete as of Spring 2007 based on what is available, although it might require a price increase.
1. Ben-Hur is now available in a 4 disc special edition that includes the silent version of the film.
2. Cimarron, Best Picture 1930-1931, was released on DVD in 2006 by Warner Home Video and should be included.
3. After this pack was released "Million Dollar Baby" and "The Departed" won Best Picture for 2004 and 2006, respectively. These films are not included.
I'm really just pointing out minor flaws because, compared to all of the other studios, Warners has done the best job of putting all of the Best Picture winners they control into one attractively priced package.

Eighteen of the best movies of all time.......2005-09-26

This set contains 18 Best Picture winners from the Warner Video library. A few of them are fairly basic, with limited extras (Broadway Melody, Grand Hotel), while others are multi-disc deluxe editions (Gone with the Wind, Ben Hur). If you're looking to get your collection off to a start, with some of the all-time classics, I haven't seen a better boxed set than this one.

Best Picture Oscar Collection - fantastic present.......2005-09-21

This made my father very happy - has all the golden favourites and is great value.

good deal but not in collectible condition.......2005-06-11

It's a bunch of oscar winning movies from warner brothers with a great discount. but collectors beware of this set :

1. First of all, most of the items are not sealed. many of them looks like new, but some are not brand new, at least look like used!
2. I talked with 3 persons who purchased this item. all of them had complains about ruptures at the edge of some boxes which had caused with a blade or a sharp instrument.
3. there is not a huge outer box. only a wrap around all items.

after those negative points, lets say that, all of the DVDs are the best releases of each item. my word is, it's a good deal but don't expect to receive all of them in collectible condition! I don't want to blame warner but it seems that some of these DVDs are clean returned to market items!

This is a great deal; looks like they fixed the problems,,,.......2005-05-28

I purchased this set when the price was $140. However, I did not get Casablanca or Cuckoo's net SE's, but after I contacted AMAZON twice and waited for a while, they corrected the problem to my full satisfaction! I have never been happier with their service!

But, this is a great set because it has 18 of the best picture winners.

It has some of the best ones, and all the discs are the top of the line editions! way to go!!!

Now, if they could opnly get the last three best picture winners on DVD, I'd have them all!

The Story of Eric Liddell - An Olympic Gold Medalist's Lifelong Race to Spread the Gospel DVD

Average customer rating:

Very Enjoyable Documentary

The Story of Eric Liddell - An Olympic Gold Medalist's Lifelong Race to Spread the Gospel DVD

Manufacturer: Discovery House Publishers
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

ASIN: B000JLFNIY

Product Description

Eric Liddell is best known as the main character in Hollywood's 1981 release of Chariots of Fire. But it was his fascinating life as a missionary that proved his spiritual mettle. This Olympic medalist from Scotland lived-and died-for the testimony of Jesus Christ. In this 3-part DVD with author and Day of Discovery host David McCasland, you'll trace Eric's life from the 1924 Olympics to his years in war-torn China. You'll hear testimonies from historians, friends, and family about his life as a boy, an athlete, a missionary, and a bible teacher. But most of all you'll learn about a man sold out for God.

Customer Reviews:

Very Enjoyable Documentary.......2006-10-13

I sell this dvd above (FaithFilms) so I recently watched it. Chariots of Fire has always been one of my favorite movies - which was the theatrical story of the Olympics where Eric Liddell won the Gold Medal. This documentary tells the story of Eric's entire Christian life and I enjoyed this true story even more than the theatrical story.

Average customer rating:

Inspiring Story of Commitment, Faith and Glory
Chariots of Fire
Courageous men
Chariots of Fire
Fantastic!

Chariots of Fire [Region 2]
Starring: Nicholas Farrell , Nigel Havers , Ian Charleson , Ben Cross , and Daniel Gerroll
Director: Hugh Hudson
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

ASIN: B000056KQM

Amazon.com essential video

Customer Reviews:

Inspiring Story of Commitment, Faith and Glory.......2007-08-21

Chariots of Fire.......2007-07-06

Courageous men .......2007-06-30

Chariots of Fire.......2007-05-19

This is a wonderful movie and is so inspiring to watch. A++++++

Fantastic!.......2007-05-14

This is a fantastic movie. It's thoughtful, poignant, inspirational, expertly directed and well-acted. I wish the movie industry would produce more films of this caliber and depth.

Average customer rating:

Inspiring Story of Commitment, Faith and Glory
Chariots of Fire
Courageous men
Chariots of Fire
Fantastic!

Chariots of Fire [Region 2]
Starring: Nicholas Farrell , Nigel Havers , Ian Charleson , Ben Cross , and Daniel Gerroll
Director: Hugh Hudson
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

ASIN: B00028HCOC

Amazon.com essential video

Customer Reviews:

Inspiring Story of Commitment, Faith and Glory.......2007-08-21

Chariots of Fire.......2007-07-06

Courageous men .......2007-06-30

Chariots of Fire.......2007-05-19

This is a wonderful movie and is so inspiring to watch. A++++++

Fantastic!.......2007-05-14

This is a fantastic movie. It's thoughtful, poignant, inspirational, expertly directed and well-acted. I wish the movie industry would produce more films of this caliber and depth.

Average customer rating:

Inspiring Story of Commitment, Faith and Glory
Chariots of Fire
Courageous men
Chariots of Fire
Fantastic!

Chariots of Fire [Region 2]
Starring: Nicholas Farrell , Nigel Havers , Ian Charleson , Ben Cross , and Daniel Gerroll
Director: Hugh Hudson
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B0000560Y5

Amazon.com essential video

Customer Reviews:

Inspiring Story of Commitment, Faith and Glory.......2007-08-21

Chariots of Fire.......2007-07-06

Courageous men .......2007-06-30

Chariots of Fire.......2007-05-19

This is a wonderful movie and is so inspiring to watch. A++++++

Fantastic!.......2007-05-14

This is a fantastic movie. It's thoughtful, poignant, inspirational, expertly directed and well-acted. I wish the movie industry would produce more films of this caliber and depth.

Average customer rating:

Inspiring Story of Commitment, Faith and Glory
Chariots of Fire
Courageous men
Chariots of Fire
Fantastic!

Chariots of Fire [Region 2]
Starring: Nicholas Farrell , Nigel Havers , Ian Charleson , Ben Cross , and Daniel Gerroll
Director: Hugh Hudson
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B00004WZFU

Amazon.com essential video

Customer Reviews:

Inspiring Story of Commitment, Faith and Glory.......2007-08-21

Chariots of Fire.......2007-07-06

Courageous men .......2007-06-30

Chariots of Fire.......2007-05-19

This is a wonderful movie and is so inspiring to watch. A++++++

Fantastic!.......2007-05-14

This is a fantastic movie. It's thoughtful, poignant, inspirational, expertly directed and well-acted. I wish the movie industry would produce more films of this caliber and depth.

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