Chariots of Fire

A book based on "a" screen play by Colin Welland, so this book really is more or less the movie written into words with one or two interludes from the movie expanded on such as the romance between Harold Abrahams one of the main characters and Sybil who he meets. Additionally, the point with Eric Liddel being faithful to keep the Lord's day holy even at the cost of not running on Sunday at the Paris 1924 Olympics is gone into a bit more detail and becomes a bit more poignant. Likewise, the fact that Liddel actually ran a world record time in the 400 meter might be missed in the movie but is made clear in the book, he did the 400 in 47 3/5 seconds in 1924. Rather impressive and then, after the Olympics ended eventually returned to his missionary work in China. There might be parts of the original movie screen play too, that did not make it to the movie screen. Early in the movie, we see some handicapped British military veterans now, helping out at the train depot moving luggage and hailing cabs. These kinds from World War I are indeed real heroes and I'm not sure about that part of the book where these vets sound a bit embittered from the war but they are covered well in the movie. For a faithful version of the movie in book form, brief to read at 176 pages, this is definitely worth reading. The movie is pure inspiration, one of the best ever made and this book captures some of that. That said, I watch the movie itself with a new appreciation. Characters in the book such as Abrahams, Liddel, Lord Lindsay and Sam Mussabini are expanded on. A glaring historic inaccuracy in the book is the author calling Abrahams the son of German Jews. This is different in the movie in that he is called the son of Lithuanian Jews. Upon research, indeed, I did find that his parents were Lithuanian Jews who had migrated to Great Britain. I would also suggest a book Flanagan's Run written by one of the advisors to the movie Chariots of Fire Tom McNab. It takes place during close to the same era, some characters and story lines are even reminiscent to those in Chariots of Fire, though that book is a true novel and real running classic.

This is the true story of two young men in their prime. It is complex but wonderfully woven, as life can sometimes be. One man seeks to please God; clearly the center of his life. The other man is Jewish in the Britain of the 1920's. He's understandably militant in the face of heartless bigots and rampant discrimination. This young man's drive to win stems from his subconscious yearning to be accepted. Elegantly written, befitting the time, you will find yourself brought back to that romantic era of the '20's.

Chariots of Fire was a mind expanding piece of writing. The style of the book flowed so that the book was easily read, yet the impact of the story is understood upon reflection. The struggle of the Jews touches the soul. This book is a Must Read for all people who are interested in Religous History