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." 

 

 

 

Play Dirty (1969)

During the Desert War in North Africa, a group of British commandos disguised in Italian soldiers must travel behind enemy lines and destroy a vital Nazi oil depot.

Standard war actioner is well-made and offers some cynical twists.

Halliwell*: "Small-scale Dirty Dozen with would-be ironic twists; well made entertainment for the stout-hearted."

Maltin***: "...film invites comparisons  with THE DIRTY DOZEN and holds its own quite well."

Nighthawks (1981)

A conservative street cop reluctantly agrees to terminate an international terrorist who has demanded media attention.

Effective, but simple-minded thriller offering a psychopath terrorist without a cause and a gutsy cop; Keith Emerson wrote the interesting (and dated) score.

Halliwell (no star): "Kojak-style thriller with a rather glum attitude to its subject."

Maltin***: "Exciting story...On target from the first scene to the fade-out, with plenty of hair-raising moments along the way."

Without a Clue (1988)

A drunken Sherlock Holmes is really just a cover for the real detective - Dr Watson.

Amusingly twisted take on Sherlock Holmes has good production value and is mildly entertaining, but at times a bit too silly as well.

Halliwell (no star): "The mystery is that anyone should have released this witless spoof."

Maltin**1/2: "Mild farce...Scattered laughs, engaging performance by star duo."