Chariots of Fire (1981)

 

Two British track athletes, one a determined Jew and the other a devout Christian, are driven to win in the 1924 Olympics as they wrestle with issues of pride and conscience.

From memory: Grand-scale historical drama based on true events is excellently directed with great period detail, a good cast and an inspiring tale, but does not spare us some pathos and patriotism.

Halliwell***: "A film of subtle qualities, rather like those of a BBC classic serial. Probably not quite worth the adulation it received, but full of pleasant romantic touches and sharp glimpses of the wider issues involved."

Maltin***1/2: "Absorbing and unusual drama...Fascinating probe of their motives, challenges, and problems, and a case study of  repressed emotions even in the midst of exultation."