Vatican newspaper hails spiritual vision of Chariots of Fire
July 28, 2012: As the Olympic Games opened in London on Saturday, the Vatican newspaper
L'Osservatore Romano recalled the film Chariots of Fire, with its portrayal of British
Olympic athletes. Made on a modest budget in 1981, L'Osservatore recalled, the
film was a surprise sensation when it first appeared. The movie's style was strikingly
realistic, yet the theme appeared foremost to viewers' ideals. The Vatican newspaper
describes it as "not so much an historical film as it is an apologue of spiritual
values and those that inspire sports.... and the potential likeness between them." Chariots
of Fire tells the fact-based story of two athletes in the 1924 Olympics: Eric Liddell,
a devout Scottish Christian who runs for the glory of God, and Harold Abrahams, an
English Jew who runs to overcome prejudice.