Chariots of Fire is a 1981 English-language Biography Drama motion picture written by Colin Welland and directed by Hugh Hudson and produced by David Puttnam under the banner of Allied Stars Ltd in collaboration with Goldcrest Films, Enigma Productions and The Ladd Company. It's the post-World War I era. Britons Harold Abrahams and Eric Liddell are both naturally gifted fast sprinters, but approach running and how it fits into their respective lives differently. The son of a Lithuanian Jew, Harold, who lives a somewhat privileged life as a student at Cambridge, uses being the fastest to overcome what he s as the obstacles he faces in life as a Jew despite that privilege. In his words to paraphrase an old adage, he is often invited to the trough, but isn't allowed to drink. His running prowess does earn him the respect of his classmates, especially his running teammates, and to some extent the school administration, if only he maintains what they consider proper gentlemanly decorum, which isn't always the case in their minds. Born in China, the son of Christian missionaries, Eric, a Scot, is a devout member of the Church of Scotland who eventually wants to return to that missionary work. He s running as a win-win in that the notoriety of being fast gives him an added outlet to spread the word of God, while he s his speed as being a gift from God, and he wants to run to honor God and that gift. This view does not sit well with his sister, Jennie Liddell, who s his running as only taking away time from his work to God. Harold and Eric's lives do intersect in national races, but it is the one hundred meter track event at the 1924 Paris Olympics which the two men and their supporters most anticipate. Beyond the fact that Americans Charles Paddock and Jackson Scholz are favored in the event, the much anticipated head to head between Harold and Eric may be further shadowed by other issues, especially as it affects Eric's Christian beliefs. Written by Huggo. Chariots of fire stars Ben Cross in the title role along with an ensemble cast including Ian Charleson, Nigel Havers, Cheryl Campbell, Alice Krige, Lindsay Anderson and Dennis Christopher. The music was composed by Vangelis. Cinematography was done by David Watkin and editing by Terry Rawlings. The movie has a running time of 124 minutes. It was released on 15th May 1981. The Film was successful at box office. Chariots of Fire was made on a budget of £5 million and it was a super hit at box office gross of $59 million. Distribution rights for the motion picture were acquired by Warner Bros.