Chariots of Fire, the best picture of 1981, tells two inspiring stories of talent and struggle, along with the thrill of a race. The true stories of Harold Abrahams and Eric Liddell highlight their comparable athletic skills but different motivations for competing.

Chariots of Fire is the greatest film about track and one of the finest sports films ever made. It has a beautiful song -

There were many fine names

In the Olympic games,

The runners and sprinters who dashed for their fame.

With wings on their feet

That few others could beat,

They strove in 1924 to compete.

At Cambridge, a Jew

Who did not run but flew,

One Abrahams trained to be best in each queue.

He ran to resist

Those who were prejudiced,

And friends thought no faster young man could exist.

In Scotland, however,

One man would endeavor

To run to please God, but on Sundays, he’d never.

This brave Eric Liddell,

Whom none could belittle,

Held faith and resolve which a king could not whittle.

They all took their place

In the glorious race,

The high point of lives, formed by training and grace.

Each swift Englishman

Did their utmost and ran,

For medals, for country, for God, or for clan.