Harbor Theater

Classic Film Series continues with ‘Chariots of Fire’

Tue, 01/07/2020 - 8:00am

Story Location:
185 Townsend Avenue
Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538
United States

The Harbor Theater will screen “Chariots of Fire” at 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16 and Saturday, Jan. 18.  It is rated PG and runs 2 hours and five minutes.

Subscribers are free; tickets are available at the door for $10 ($8 for members and children under 18). Ticket price includes a small bag of popcorn for the movie, and a wine and cheese reception afterwards.

“Chariots of Fire” tells the true story of two British runners who brought glory to their country in the Olympic Games of 1924 in Paris. The 1981 film won the Academy Award for Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay, Best Costume Design and Best Original Score. And who will ever forget that opening scene of a pack of runners charging down the beach with Vangelis Papathanassiou's wonderfully stirring music in the background?

Eric Liddell (Ian Charleson), son of Scottish missionaries in China, believes that he has to succeed as a testament to his undying religious faith. Harold Abrahams (Ben Cross), is a Jewish Englishman who wants desperately to be accepted and prove to the world that Jews are not inferior. The film crosscuts between each man's life as he trains for the competition, fueled by these very different desires. As compelling as the racing scenes are, it's really the depth of the two main characters that touches the viewer, as they forcefully drive home the theme that victory attained through devotion, commitment, integrity, and sacrifice is the most admirable feat that one can achieve.

Critics raved about the movie when it opened, and, as the Daily Star (UK) says, “This 39-year-old Oscar winning true-life drama climaxing at the 1924 games proved a winner all the way. And it still is.”