20 Most Inspiring Movies Of All-Time
11. Chariots Of Fire
For some, this film might have fallen into the realm of cliché. The Vangelis score, the beachfront run parodied by all but most effectively Mr Bean at the 2012 Olympics and, of course, the slightly embarrassing Oscar call of The British are coming! from writer Colin Welland (up there with Sally Fields You really like me! and all of Gwyneth Paltrows speech). It is, however, one of the most inspirational British films ever made and thoroughly deserving of a place.
Beginning in 1919, the film first focuses on Harold Abrahams (Ben Cross), a Jewish runner who is almost unbeatable in the Trinity Great Court Run. Eventually, Abrahams is beaten by the devout Eric Liddell (Ian Charleson) and, taking it badly, hires a trainer, Sam Mussabini. The two find their lives blighted by both attacks on their beliefs and faith and, in Abrahams case, anti-semitism.
Finally, the two are chosen for the 1924 Parisian Olympics along with several other runners (played by, amongst others, Nigel Havers and Nicholas Farrell). Abrahams is beaten badly in the 200metres and so must raise his game for the 100metres whereas Liddell refuses to run on a Sunday so is forced to run in the far longer 400metres in a race hes sure to lose.
This film, as with so many sports movies, is actually not so much about the sport but the human stories contained therein. Abrahams encounters institutionalised anti-semitism at the University of Cambridge and Liddell has to constantly defend his beliefs as others say he is dishonouring God. It is this strength in adversity and the concrete belief in what they are doing which make the traits inspirational. The film was thoroughly deserving of its success and is a triumph of story-telling and spine-tingling sporting moments.