Chariots of FireChariots of FireAn In Depth Look Into The An In Depth Look Into The

MovieMovieBy Gina Mekus, Sam W, Karina By Gina Mekus, Sam W, Karina

MartinMartin

PlotPlot SummarySummary(SG(SG))

The true story of two British The true story of two British track athletes competing in the track athletes competing in the 1924 Summer Olympics. One is 1924 Summer Olympics. One is a devout Scottish missionary a devout Scottish missionary who runs for God, the other is a who runs for God, the other is a Jewish student at Cambridge Jewish student at Cambridge who runs for fame and to who runs for fame and to escape prejudice.escape prejudice.

Plot Summary Plot Summary (SG)(SG)

Englishman Harold Abrahams Englishman Harold Abrahams (Ben Cross), who is Jewish, (Ben Cross), who is Jewish, overcomes anti-Semitism and overcomes anti-Semitism and class prejudice in order to class prejudice in order to compete against the "Flying compete against the "Flying Scotsman", Eric Liddell (Ian Scotsman", Eric Liddell (Ian Charleson), in the 100 meter Charleson), in the 100 meter race.race.

Video Clip (scene 15)Video Clip (scene 15)

Plot Summary Cont. Plot Summary Cont. (SG)(SG)

However, Liddell drops out of the event However, Liddell drops out of the event because his Christian convictions because his Christian convictions prevent him from running on a Sunday. prevent him from running on a Sunday. Liddell is allowed to compete in the 400 Liddell is allowed to compete in the 400 meter race instead. The story compares meter race instead. The story compares the similar athletic experiences of the similar athletic experiences of Abrahams and Liddell while portraying Abrahams and Liddell while portraying their vastly different characters and their vastly different characters and reactions to adversity. reactions to adversity.

Main Characters- Main Characters- Character Analysis Character Analysis

Viewers tend to connect to Liddell more Viewers tend to connect to Liddell more because he is not just running for himself, because he is not just running for himself, seems less selfish than Abrahams who is seems less selfish than Abrahams who is running to prove to those who are skeptics running to prove to those who are skeptics because of religion.because of religion.

One thing is true for both runners One thing is true for both runners thoughthough They will sacrifice anything to achieve their They will sacrifice anything to achieve their

goals...Except their honor. goals...Except their honor.

Video Clip (scene 34)Video Clip (scene 34)

Music, Lighting, and Dramatic Music, Lighting, and Dramatic EffectsEffects(SG)(SG)

Music changes according to situation. Music changes according to situation. Builds in suspenseful situations, dies down Builds in suspenseful situations, dies down in after climax. Really gets your heart in after climax. Really gets your heart beating. Gina was scared.beating. Gina was scared.

Pretty scenery grabbed my attention from Pretty scenery grabbed my attention from the start.the start.

70’s cars at beginning to let you know 70’s cars at beginning to let you know what time period movie took place.what time period movie took place.

Music, Lighting, and Dramatic Music, Lighting, and Dramatic Effects Effects (Karina)(Karina)

During the race, as Abrahams During the race, as Abrahams ran, the lane was lightened and ran, the lane was lightened and everything else around was everything else around was darkened to focus on Abraham darkened to focus on Abraham and Abraham alone.and Abraham alone.

Movie Clip (scene 31)Movie Clip (scene 31)

CriticismCriticism (Karina) (Karina)

Roger Ebert- Roger Ebert- “[One] of the best “[One] of the best moments in the movie: A moments in the movie: A moment in which Liddell defeats moment in which Liddell defeats Abrahams, who agonizingly Abrahams, who agonizingly replays the defeat over and over replays the defeat over and over in his memory.” in his memory.”

Philosophers Philosophers (SG)(SG)

Machiavelli- Better feared than Machiavelli- Better feared than lovedlovedAbrahams wants to be feared on Abrahams wants to be feared on

the track rather than loved by fans. the track rather than loved by fans. This way he overcomes being This way he overcomes being Jewish.Jewish.

HobbesHobbesAquinasAquinas

Character Quotes Character Quotes (Karina)(Karina)

““I’m more of an addict. It’s I’m more of an addict. It’s a compulsion, a weapon. . a compulsion, a weapon. . A weapon against being A weapon against being Jewish.”Jewish.”

Who said this class?Who said this class?

AnswerAnswer

AbrahamsAbrahams

Character Quote Character Quote (Gina)(Gina)

““It’s not just fun to win, the pleasure It’s not just fun to win, the pleasure I find most rewarding is to honor I find most rewarding is to honor Him. When I run I can feel God’s Him. When I run I can feel God’s pleasure.”pleasure.”

Who said this class?Who said this class?

AnswerAnswer

Eric LiddellEric Liddell

Character Quote Character Quote (SG)(SG)

““10 seconds to justify my whole 10 seconds to justify my whole existence. I’ve known the fear of existence. I’ve known the fear of losing, but now I’m almost too afraid losing, but now I’m almost too afraid to win”.to win”.

Who said this quote Mrs. Catton?Who said this quote Mrs. Catton?

AnswerAnswer

AbrahamsAbrahams

Did you know? Did you know? (Karina)(Karina)

The title is taken from the hymn The title is taken from the hymn "Jerusalem" which is played during "Jerusalem" which is played during the film and features the lines "Bring the film and features the lines "Bring me my bow of burning gold! / Bring me my bow of burning gold! / Bring me my Arrows of Desire! / Bring me me my Arrows of Desire! / Bring me my spear! O clouds, unfold! / Bring my spear! O clouds, unfold! / Bring me my Chariot of Fire!". me my Chariot of Fire!".

Did you know?Did you know?

The hymn is a setting by Hubert The hymn is a setting by Hubert Parry of William Blake's poem "And Parry of William Blake's poem "And did those in ancient time", and Blake did those in ancient time", and Blake in turn took the phrase from II Kings in turn took the phrase from II Kings 2:11. 2:11.

Did you know?Did you know?

On On Sesame StreetSesame Street, , one segment of one segment of Monsterpiece Monsterpiece Theater was called Theater was called "Chariots of Fur"; it "Chariots of Fur"; it involved Grover involved Grover and Harry Monster and Harry Monster having a race down having a race down the beach. the beach.