Chariots of Jihad

"Jihad" (the Arabic word for "struggle") has a positive side. Islamic terrorists emphasize the war element, but most Muslims emphasize what they call "greater jihad," the internal spiritual struggle of those trying to discipline their character. Twenty years ago, in October 1981, a movie about greater jihad hit theaters across America and won the best picture Oscar for its story of two runners: Harold Abrahams, the fiercely competitive son of a Lithuanian Jewish immigrant, and Eric Liddell, a young Scottish minister. The film's name: "Chariots of Fire."

Its success was due in part to the contrast in greater jihads that the two runners represent. Abrahams sees sprinting as a way to gain vengeance on anti-Semites: "ten lonely seconds to justify my whole existence." Liddell joyfully fuses body and spirit as he disciplines himself to run for God's glory: "(God) made me fast, and when I run, I feel His pleasure."

Both runners hope for gold medals at the 1924 Olympics, but Liddell's reading of the Bible does not allow him to race on the Sabbath, and he has to decide whether to stick with what he has professed or give in to the entreaties of king and country. Abrahams, meanwhile, has to face not only his internal loneliness, but the fastest runners in the world.

Greater jihad has its appeal. Eric Liddell did not say that other people should not run on the Sabbath, he said that he could not. For that reason, movie liberals could portray him not as their hated right-winger dictating to other people, but as a man who told (SET ITAL) himself (END ITA) how to live, and stuck to that resolution even when it hurt.

David Puttnam, the producer of "Chariots of Fire," said he found Eric Liddell's story enthralling simply because ''this is an expedient world. For people to behave in an inexpedient manner is extraordinary.'' Executive Producer Dodi Fayed, a Muslim who became Princess Diana's lover (and would die with her in 1997), was fascinated by the theme of "how your religion can affect you. How where you come from can affect you."

Making the film was itself a greater jihad, because financing was hard to find. Its screenwriter, Colin Welland, asked, ''Can you imagine going to a Hollywood mogul and saying, 'I have this idea about two Olympic athletes from 1924?''' The project languished until Fayed brought in the additional $3 million needed from United Star Shipping. ''Believe me,'' Puttnam said, ''you've been fairly well around the track before you get to Egyptian shipping lines.''

Sometimes everything comes together for moviemakers only once in a lifetime. Director Hugh Hudson went from "Chariots of Fire" to "Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes," and never made another top-notch film. Producer Puttnam went on to become chief of production for Columbia Pictures but was fired after little over a year on that job. The actor who brilliantly portrayed Eric Liddell, Ian Charleson, died from AIDS complications in 1990.

One advantage of Hollywood is that the rare shining moment does not dissipate like the mist. If you haven't seen "Chariots of Fire," you should. And if you have, maybe you can push for a sequel. Soon after "Chariots of Fire" came out, Hugh Hudson talked about Eric Liddell's post-Olympic career as a missionary in China until he died at the end of World War II in a Japanese prisoner of war camp. The director noted "Liddell's courage and fortitude in the camp" and said there "might be an even better movie in that story."

Might be -- and now that we need to increase our fortitude to meet a new international threat, such a movie could be both enthralling and helpful.

I was quite moved by Mr Olasky's piece on this. I remember a "critic" who was American, who wrote off the film as boosting the long gone supremacy of the British Empire. No, I dont think that it was. Always remember the scene, when the actor playing Abrahams, mentally collapsed and said that winning didnt seem all that it was supposed to be. Yes, I suppose there was a mild anti-semitism in Britain. It never degenerated to violence though. My Dad, from the East-End of London, worshipped Ted (Kid) Lewis, the three different weight boxing champion. (Gershon Mendelhoff). Well,anyway there is always the music of Vangelis to go with it. Cheers

I remember a "critic" who was American, who wrote off the film as boosting the long gone supremacy of the British Empire.

I was amazed by the number of folks who "didn't get it". The movie was all about the things that motivate. One piece lost on many Americans would be the song sung by the boys choir at the chapel service. The words were pinned by a British poet who was critical of the industrial revolution and who thought it would be the undoing of civilization. His life view was I think represented by the ruling elite at the college who wanted to "win" but did not want to deal with the messiness associated with getting there.

"And did those feet in ancient time
Walk upon England's mountains green?
And was the Holy Lamb of God
On England's pleasant pastures seen?
And did the Countenance Divine
Shine forth upon our clouded hills?
And was Jerusalem builded here
Among these dark Satanic mills?

Bring me my bow of burning gold!
Bring me my arrows of desire!
Bring me my spear! O clouds unfold!
Bring me my Chariot of Fire!
I will not cease from mental fight;
Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand
Till we have built Jerusalem
In England's green and pleasant land.

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