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." 

 

 

 

First Knight (1995)

Lancelot falls in love with Guinevere, who is due to be married to King Arthur. Meanwhile, a violent warlord tries to seize power from Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table.

Very professionally produced adaptation of the saga, good production design, excellent cinematography and some solid performances, but Richard Gere is a quite dubious casting choice for Lancelot.

Halliwell (no star): "This is less the medieval epic it attempts to be, and closer in spirit to A Yankee in King Arthur's Court, thanks to Gere's American gigolo masquerading as Lancelot; it lacks passion and there is no feeling that anything is worth fighting or dying for."

Maltin***: "Handsome, sweeping, romantic adventure saga...Awkward narrative moments (and the casting of a contemporary-sound American as Lancelot) outweighed by the overall intelligence of William Nicholson's script, John Box's breathtaking production design, Jerry Goldsmith's majestic score, and the splendid performances by Ormond and Connery. Camelot has never looked so magical."