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This David Puttnam-produced parable of patriotism, faith and meritocratic success – rereleased in honour of the 1924 event – is on the level of classic Hollywood

In honour of both the imminent Paris Olympics and the centenary of the 1924 Olympics, also in Paris, here is a rerelease of this superbly watchable true-story parable of patriotism, faith and meritocratic success within the system, much admired by Margaret Thatcher, Ronald Reagan and Joe Biden. It was produced by David Puttnam, who had discovered the story of the devout Christian athlete Eric Liddell refusing to run on Sunday and commissioned a terrifically punchy and sympathetic script from Colin Welland (whose victorious Oscar night cry of “the British are coming!” was destined to be endlessly and ironically re-quoted at moments of British failure and disappointment in Hollywood). It was Welland who incorporated Jewish sprinter Harold Abrahams into the film.

The film was directed with gusto by...

President Biden publicly stated that his all-time favorite movie is the inspirational sports drama Chariots of Fire, which depicts the rivalry between two British track athletes in the 1924 Paris Olympics. Chariots of Fire resonated deeply with American audiences and has had a lasting impact, with former President Reagan and others applauding its depiction of heroes who embody honor and integrity.

Even U.S. Presidents take time out of their busy schedule to watch movies. In the case of the 46th President of the United States Joe Biden, he's publicly stated that his all-time favorite movie is the inspirational 1981 sports drama Chariots of Fire. The true story traces the rivalry between two British track athletes competing in the 1924 Paris Olympics. Eric Liddell is a pious Christian from Scotland competing for the glory of god, while Harold Abrahams is a Jewish Englishman competing to escape prejudice. Despite their differing religious views, the...

Hudson brought an ad-man’s eye to the brilliant 1981 drama about athletics and bigotry, as well as directing the hilarious Cinzano commercials

As the 1980s dawned, British ad director Hugh Hudson took on his first feature film and made it a legendary hit: an inspirational story which supplied a sugar-rush of patriotism and a swoon of nostalgia which hit the spot both sides of the Atlantic. It somehow brought off the trick of being about the underdog and the victim of bigotry and religious discrimination – and yet also being a resounding endorsement of the status quo which could, on grounds of decency and meritocracy, always accommodate the outsider. This was the era of Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan, and the ethos of success for the hardworking and the deserving.

The film of course was Chariots of Fire, the true story of the 1924 Olympic runners Harold Abrahams (played by Ben Cross...

Hugh Hudson, director of the Oscar-winning classic "Chariots of Fire," has passed away at the age of 86. According to a statement released by his family, Hudson "died at Charing Cross hospital on 10 February after a short illness. He is survived by his wife, Maryam, his son, Thomas, and his first wife, Sue."

Hudson's fact-based drama about British runners Harold Abrahams (Ben Cross) and Eric Liddell (Ian Charleston) was a surprise critical and commercial smash in 1981, earning four Academy Awards (including Best Picture) and out-grossing splashy studio releases like "For Your Eyes Only" and "Clash of the Titans." The film became a pop cultural phenomenon due in part to Vangelis' main theme, which topped the Billboard Hot 100 for one week in 1982 and inspired parodies in films like "Mr. Mom" and "National Lampoon's Vacation." But despite its staid period setting and deliberately paced narrative, Hudson's movie touched the hearts of moviegoers all...

Hugh Hudson, who came from the worlds of documentaries and advertising to make his feature directing debut on the stirring Oscar best picture winner Chariots of Fire, one of the most admired British films ever made, has died. He was 86.

Hudson died Friday at Charing Cross hospital in London after a short illness, his family told The Guardian newspaper.

Hudson helmed just seven features during his career. After earning an Oscar nomination for his 1981 masterpiece, he followed with the highly regarded Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes (1984). Starring Christopher Lambert, it was the first Tarzan feature to receive an Oscar nom (it landed three).

Up next for Hudson, however, was Revolution (1985), which starred Al Pacino as a fur trapper thrust into the American Revolutionary War. Made for a reported 28 million, it was a major bust, grossing just 350,000 in the U.S. Critics hammered Pacino, who left acting for about four years,...

The new president adores the British classic, even referencing it in his victory speech. Creators including Hugh Hudson, David Puttnam, Nigel Havers, Nicholas Farrell and Stephen Fry applaud his choice – and his appointment

Last November, David Puttnam received a mysterious phone call. It was a tip-off from someone in the White House transition team. “They said: ‘We just thought you’d like to know that he’s referenced it again.’”

Joe Biden first cited Chariots of Fire – the stirring story of Scottish sprinting champion Eric Liddell and Jewish gold medallist Harold Abrahams that producer Puttnam ushered to Oscar glory in 1982 – as his favourite film during the vice presidential race in 2008. “Someone put personal fame and glory behind principles,” he said. “That, to me, is the mark of real heroism.”...

To mark the release of Wings of Eagles on 19th March, we’ve been given 3 copies to give away on DVD.

Wings of Eagles continues the remarkable true story of Eric Liddell’s life after he wins Olympic gold in the 1924 Paris Olympics, as portrayed in the British classic Chariots of Fire.

As the Japanese invade China on the outbreak of WWll, Eric Liddell (Joseph Fiennes, Shakespeare in Love, The Handmaid’s Tale) – China’s first gold medallist and one of Scotland’s greatest athletes – returns to war-torn China with his family as a missionary.

Despite experiencing many years of successful and fulfilling work as a teacher, the threat of war continues to loom, and as the occupying Imperial Japanese forces tighten their oppressive grip, Liddell decides to send his family home, while he stays behind. Eric and the other foreign nationals are quickly taken as prisoners and placed in...

Author: Zehra Phelan

Watch Joseph Fiennes tackle the real-life story of Eric Liddell – China’s first gold medalist and one of Scotland’s greatest athletes – as he returns to war-torn China in the trailer for Wings of Eagles.

Directed by Stephen Shin and Michael Parker from a screenplay co-written by themselves and Rubby Xu and Christopher C. Chan. The film stars Joseph Fiennes, Shawn Dou and Bruce Locke.

Signature Entertainment presents Wings of Eagles on Digital HD 12th March and DVD 19th March, 2018

Wings of Eagles Official Synopsis

Wings of Eagles continues the remarkable true story of Eric Liddell’s life after he wins Olympic gold in the 1924 Paris Olympics, as portrayed in the British classic Chariots of Fire.

As the Japanese invade China on the outbreak of WWll, Eric Liddell (Joseph Fiennes, Shakespeare in Love, The Handmaid’s Tale) – China’s first gold medallist and one of Scotland’s...

From Marathon Man to Forrest Gump, we complete a circuit of the best running-themed films. What's your favourite? Let us know below

Since the moment Eadweard Muybridge captured a man sprinting in 1887 runners have worn a path across the cinematic landscape. Whether on the pristine oval of an Olympic running track, a dusty patch in a prison rec yard or the damp tarmac of a rural country road, film has documented the sweat and solitude of running in all its pain and glory.

Here are 10 of the best.

The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner

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Opening with the sound of Tom Courtenay's feet thudding against a bleak rural lane, Tony Richardson and Alan Sillitoe's 1962 British New Wave classic is one of the most poetic running films in cinematic history. As Colin Smith, a petty delinquent, Courtenay gives a...

"Special From Next Avenue"

By Leah Rozen

Hollywood has long carried an Olympic torch for the Games and their charismatic champions

Before he wore a loincloth as Tarzan and yodeled while swinging across movie screens on a vine, Johnny Weissmuller was an Olympic swimming champ.

The strapping Weissmuller -- 6-foot-5, 190 pounds -- power-splashed his way to five gold medals in the 1924 and ‘28 Olympic Games. Recognizing a marketable hunk when it saw one, Hollywood snapped him up.

"It was like stealing," Weissmuller (1904-1984) once said of his Tarzan career, which included a dozen films between 1932 and ‘48. "There was swimming in it, and I didn't have much to say. How can a guy climb trees, say ‘Me Tarzan, you Jane,’ and make a million?"

I was a sucker for Weismuller’s Tarzan films -- as a kid, I used to watch the scratchy prints that repeatedly aired on Saturday afternoon TV.

In fact,...

Actor Billy Bob Thornton is desperate to play songs from his new album in Britain, so he can to search for his British roots. Angelina Jolie's husband has just released his debut album Private Radio, but had to delay his flight for the tour of Britain after the terrorist attacks in New York. And Thornton, who married Angelina in May 2000, says he's keen to reschedule his trip for family reasons. He explains, "My father's family come from Ireland and I know the Celtic tradition for storytelling and song. I really want to play both Ireland and Scotland. I can't tell you what it is exactly, but I remember Chariots Of Fire and the scenes with Eric Liddell and his sister just walking around the fields. I just thought, 'Oh man, I'd love to come across and sit in a pub and talk to an old sheep farmer or something'. I would just really like to sit down and chat to the people and maybe play some music."...