25 best sports movies, ranked by the dust in your eye

11. Chariots of Fire (1981)

Directed by Hugh Hudson
Starring Ben Cross, Ian Charleston, and Nicholas Farrell

Although the two films have little in common on the surface, both The Hurricane and Chariots of Fire are about the same subject: how sports can help people find the will to do the seemingly impossible. In the case of The Hurricane, boxing gave Rubin Carter the strength to live without his freedom for nearly 20 years. And in Chariots of Fire, running gives two men the fortitude needed to overcome world-class competition and widespread cultural bias.

The film is centered on two very talented British collegiate athletes who aspire to represent the United Kingdom in then-upcoming 1924 Olympic Games. However, both men are viewed as not being up to the task. Harold Abrams (Cross) is deemed unacceptable because of his Jewish heritage and lower-class status. And Eric Liddell (Charleston) faces criticism for his resolute commitment to his Christian convictions. Eventually, both Abrams and Liddell prevail against the difficulties they face on and off the track and are allowed to represent a country that would rather they didn’t.

These days, Chariots of Fire is best remembered for its iconic title track, a sweeping electronica song by Greek composer Vangelis. But in the context of the film, the soundtrack is just icing on the cake. The scenes in which Vangelis’ music is played, one of which memorably features Liddell explaining how running is his way of glorifying God, are incredibly invigorating. And the climactic scenes in which the film’s two outcasts become Olympic champions, rank among the most emotionally satisfying in all of film history.