Chariots of Fire poster

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Chariots of Fire

1981 · Movie · 125 min
B

MEANRANK

74/100

Averaged across 9 ratings · 153.8K votes

Every rating

Platform pages last read 6 October 2026. IMDb’s figure comes from IMDb’s own data file, which we re-read about once a month.

Google: Google retired the star ratings it used to show in search results, so this one no longer updates. More on where the numbers come from →

52–92 out of 100

Split

Lowest is Criticker on 52, highest is Google on 92.

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Compare Trailer

Two British athletes prepare for the 1924 Olympics. One is a devout Scottish missionary running for the glory of God, while the other is a determined English Jew running to overcome prejudice. Their contrasting motivations and personal struggles define their paths as they train and compete, each seeking a different form of victory that transcends the race itself.

Details

Director
Hugh Hudson
Released
15 May 1981
Country
United Kingdom, United States
Language
English, French
Runtime
125 min
Rated
PG
Budget
$5.5M
Box office
$59.0M
Awards
17 wins, 16 nominations

This title elsewhere

Ben Cross

Ben Cross

Harold Abrahams

Ian Charleson

Ian Charleson

Eric Liddell

Cheryl Campbell

Cheryl Campbell

Jennie Liddell

Alice Krige

Alice Krige

Sybil Gordon

Nigel Havers

Nigel Havers

Lord Andrew Lindsay

Ian Holm

Ian Holm

Sam Mussabini

Nicholas Farrell

Nicholas Farrell

Aubrey Montague

Daniel Gerroll

Daniel Gerroll

Henry Stallard

Awards & nominations

See all 33 →

8 major awards won · 17 wins from 33 nominations across 13 ceremonies

Academy Awards 1981 Best Picture David Puttnam Winner
Academy Awards 1981 Best Costume Design Milena Canonero Winner
Academy Awards 1981 Best Original Screenplay Colin Welland Winner
Academy Awards 1981 Best Original Score Vangelis Winner
Cannes Film Festival 1981 Prize of the Ecumenical Jury – Special Mention Hugh Hudson Winner
Cannes Film Festival 1981 Best Supporting Actor Ian Holm Winner
Golden Globe Awards 1981 Best Foreign Film Winner
Grammy Awards 1981 Best Pop Instrumental Performance " Chariots of Fire Theme (Dance Version)" – Ernie Watts Winner
Show all 33 awards across 13 ceremonies