All language subtitles for Chariots.Of.Fire.1981.1080p.BluRay.x264-CiNEFiLE

"Let us praise famous men…

…and our fathers
that begat us."

All these men were honored
in their generations…

…and were a glory
in their days.

We are here today
to give thanks…

…for the life of
Harold Abrahams…

…to honor the legend.

Now there are just two of us.

Young Aubrey Montague…

…and myself…

…who can close our eyes…

…and remember those
few young men…

…with hope in our hearts…

…and wings on our heels.

Carlton Hotel,
Broadstairs, Kent.

June 28, 1924.

Dear Mom, I'm most awfully sorry about
your cold and the general dreariness.

We're also having quite
bad weather here, too.

Thanks for your letters. I'm sorry
you and Pa are disappointed…

…that I should be letting the Olympic
Games interfere with my shorthand.

But if you were my age, with a chance
to win the championship in Paris…

…you'd be just as
big a fool as I am.

By the way, it's awfully kind of Pa to
finance me here, in spite of my idiocy.

His marvellous esprit de corps. Most
of the chaps have managed to get down.

Cricket, Montague, in the ballroom.
Splendid.

Now. Come on.

No ball!

Come on, Aubrey,
the old leg break.

How's that? MAN: Not out.

What do you mean? You could
hear it in Bournemouth.

- Come on, Liddell, my innings.
- I didn't touch it.

Must've been the
crack of my wrist.

- I saw the bloody thing bend. Andy!
- No tickle for me, I'm afraid, old chap.

He's out, I tell you. You're all deaf.
Deaf and bloody blind.

Aubrey, I ask you,
for God's sake.

It's not fair.

All right.

Harold's here, as
intense as ever.

Just as he was on our very
first day at Cambridge.

I remember we shared
a taxi together.

I'll take these.

- See you inside, Aubrey.
- Right.

- Name, please.
- We're new.

Yes, I can see that, laddie.
What's your name?

Abrahams, H.M.

Top of the list. Repton.
That the one?

That's it. Left a year ago.

Oh, been doing your bit, have you?
France?

- No. Joined too late.
- Bad luck, lad.

Many a dead man would've liked
a share, bad luck or not.

You're right there, sir.

Welcome to Caius.

Sign here.

Thank you.

It's across the courtyard,
top right-hand corner…

- …up the stairs.
- Thanks.

By the way, what are your names?

Rogers, Head Porter, and this is Mr.
Radcliffe, my assistant.

Well, Mr. Rogers, Radcliffe…

…I ceased to be called laddie when
I took up the king's commission.

- Is that clear?
- Yes, Mr. Abrahams. Quite clear.

Thank you. I'd be obliged
if you'd remember it.

- See you later.
- Fine.

What's your friend
studying, then, son?

Barrack-room law?

- I've no idea.
- Mm.

One thing's certain.

Name like Abrahams, he won't be in
the Chapel Choir, now, will he?

- Name?
- Montague.

- What?
- Montague.

I take the War List
and I run down it.

Name after name which
I cannot read…

…and which we who
are older than you…

…cannot hear without emotion.

Names which will be only names
to you, the new college…

…but which to us summon
up face after face…

…full of honesty
and goodness…

…zeal and vigor…

…and intellectual promise.

The flower of a generation,
the glory of England.

And they died for England and
all that England stands for.

And now, by tragic necessity,
their dreams have become yours.

Let me exhort you:
Examine yourselves.

Let each of you discover where your
true chance of greatness lies.

For their sakes…

…for the sake of your college and
your country, seize this chance.

Rejoice in it.

And let no power or persuasion
deter you in your task.

Thursday, October
the 10th, 1919.

My first day at Cambridge was rounded
off by the Freshmen's Dinner…

…a sumptuous affair.

The master gave us a moving speech,
and I am now eagerly awaiting…

…the start of term proper.

Rugby Club, Golfing Society,
Tennis, Squash Club…

…Flora and Fauna, Philately.
Is that all?

- You're idle, man. Idle.
- Can't join everything.

- I've got to work sometime.
- Birdwatching? You can take a book.

How can I watch if I'm reading?

Follow in the footsteps of W.G.
Any Yorkshire men here?

- You are, Stallard.
- I can't bat for toffee.

Upon the battle scene They
fight the foe together

There ev'ry mother's son
Prepared to fight and fall is

The enemy of one The
enemy of all is

- Abraham, H.M.
- Can't manage tenor, can you?

- Desperately short of tenors. HAROLD:
Afraid not, except under torture.

How about you, Aubrey?
Sing, do you?

- School choir, that's all.
- You, Stallard?

Not on your life. They kicked
me out of Ring a Ring of Roses.

Sorry about that. We
can't all be gifted.

If everybody's somebody

Then no one's anybody

- Put my friend here down as well.
- Steady on.

- Excellent.
- Splendid.

- Rehearsals start on Monday, lolanthe.
- But I was a boy alto.

- Perfect. You can be Queen of the Fairies.
- Brought us to the brink!

Where were you when your
country needed you?

We have a duty, a solemn duty to those
countless millions of lives needlessly…

Afar away they dream of home

Glad to have you. Good middle-distance
men don't grow on trees.

I can't vouch for those times.

Taken with the school alarm
clock, most of them.

Give or take a second,
they're good enough for me.

Have you come across a fellow
called Abrahams? H.M. Abrahams?

He's challenged for
the College Dash.

What's so special about that?

It's special because
in all of 700 years…

…nobody's ever done it.
What do you do?

Right, chaps. Thank you.
Thank you.

Let it be known that H.M.
Abrahams of Gonville and Caius…

…has formally made challenge
for the College Dash.

You show them, Harold.

For those of you not familiar with
the rules, they are as follows.

The challenger will run the
perimeter of the court…

…to and from a fixed
point beneath the clock…

…within the time taken by the
sound clock to strike midday.

A distance traditionally
recognized as one of 188 paces.

I say, Abrahams, what've you
got on your feet? Rockets?

Challenge will commence
on the stroke of 1.

- Abrahams, you haven't got a chance.
- Do it for Israel.

The challenge will commence
on the stroke of 1.

The challenger must reach his
mark before the stroke of 12.

Come on, Abrahams, you swank.

Will the challenger please
make himself ready.

This Abrahams. What do
you know about him?

Repton chap.

Jewish.

His father's a
financier in the city.

Financier.

What's that supposed
to mean, I wonder?

I imagine he lends money.

Exactly.

What do they say about the son?

Academically sound. Arrogant.

Defensive to the
point of pugnacity.

Hmm. As they invariably are.

Yet possessing a keen sense
of duty and loyalty.

Do they say he can run?

Like the wind.

Gentlemen, would you draw back, please.
Away from the course.

Thank you. Mr. Abrahams,
your position, please.

Owing to the absence of any other
challenger, Mr. Abrahams will run alone.

Not so, Mr. Starter!

Your name and college, sir?

Lindsay. I race beside
my friend here.

We challenge in the name of
Repton, Eton, and Caius.

- I didn't know you ran.
- Nor I you.

Some chap tell me about
this over breakfast.

Thought I'd push
you along a bit.

- Delighted.
- Splendid.

Good luck.

Gentlemen, to your
marks, if you please.

Now, remember. On the
first strike of 12.

Come on!

Come on, stay with it.

Run harder, come on.

Come on!

Get those legs working!

More leg when you
stride, keep going.

Go on. Go on, Harold!

- Did they both do it?
- I think not.

- Young Lindsay failed by a whisker.
- Pity.

Well, it's been done,
and by a Caius man.

You must be very proud. The
first man in seven centuries.

Perhaps they really are God's
chosen people after all.

I doubt if there's a swifter
man in the kingdom.

Get to your marks.

Get set.

Go on, Angus, run.

Sprint, Johnny, sprint.

Oh, run, Steve!

Come on, faster.

Oh…

He may be your best friend,
Sandy, but he's my best brother.

I'm thinking of him and not
your blessed athletics team.

His heart's set on following
Father in the mission.

Do you not think he's got enough
on his plate without racing?

He's fast, Jennie, really fast. You've
seen him with a ball in his hands.

And I've seen him with
a Bible in his hands.

I know which is the
most important.

You can't deny him the chance.

Get him on a track with a piece
of technique, I tell you…

Please don't tell me, Sandy,
I don't want to hear.

Eric's special to me, precious.

I don't want his work spoiled with
all this running talk, do you hear?

Is there a John
MacMillan anywhere?

Go on, get your
consolation prize.

There you are.

Well done.

You know, ladies
and gentlemen…

…one of the real compensations of
achieving a certain notoriety…

…if only as a rugby player, is
that occasionally you're asked…

…to come along and
give things away.

It's often said that
giving beats receiving.

And let me tell you…

…the look of delight
on those little boys'

faces is worth 10 of
any of the tin pots…

…I've got gathering dust
in my Edinburgh sideboard.

When we were in China,
my father here…

…was always waxing lyrical
about his wee home in the glen.

But being Oriental-born myself, like
my brothers and my sister here…

…I suffered from a
natural incredulity.

But looking about me now…

…the heather and the hills…

…I can see he was right.
Its very special.

Thank you for welcoming
us home, and thank you…

…for reminding me that I am,
and will be whilst I breath…

…a Scot.

Mr. Provost, sir…

Before you allow
Eric here to go…

…is it not true that the
main event of the meeting…

- …is still to be run?
- It is.

The 200-yards Open Championship.

It's the last event of this
gathering by tradition.

Do you not think, if we
can find him some kit…

…we might persuade
Scotland's finest wing…

…to show us his paces?

What do you say, Eric?

To your marks.

Get set.

Didn't I tell you, Eric?
Didn't I tell you?

A touch of liberality
would do no harm.

Sandy, the Kingdom of
God is not a democracy.

The Lord never
seeks re-election.

There's no discussion,
no deliberation…

…no referenda as to
which road to take.

There's one right, one
wrong, one absolute ruler.

- A dictator, you mean.
- Aye.

But a benign, loving dictator.

So much for your
freedom of choice.

You've still got
a choice, Sandy.

Nobody's forcing
you to follow him.

Oh! Hey, hey.

- Do you know what day it is?
- Yeah.

- Tell me, then.
- Sunday.

Sabbath's not a day for
playing football…

- …is it?
- No.

- You up early in the morning?
- Ma gets me up at 7.

We'll have a game then. Okay?

Mr. Liddell, is it
okay if my dad comes?

Sure. Bring your whole family.
I'll give you a five-goal start.

- You've got a train to catch at 9:00.
- There's plenty of time.

You want the kid to grow up
thinking God's a spoilsport?

Come on.

If I may, I'd like to propose a
toast to the Liddell family…

…whom I'm fortunate
enough to call my friends.

The reverend J.D., Mrs.
L., young Ernest…

…bon voyage, and safe
journey back to China.

May the years ahead
be happy and content.

For those who remain…

…may God protect them, inspire
them, and lead them to glory.

Thank you, Sandy.
That was very nice.

I'm relying on you now to keep
them all out of mischief.

That I will, Mrs. L. If they do transgress,
I'll pop the details on a postcard.

And you can read all about it
before you can say "Marco Polo."

It'll cost you a fortune
in postage stamps.

Don't worry, I intend to
protect my investment.

I'm going to rule you
with a rod of iron.

Oh, well, we have to
watch ourselves then.

You're a very lucky
young man, Eric.

You're the proud
possessor of many gifts.

And it's your sacred duty
to put them to good use.

That's right. Run like we know
you can, strong and true…

…and the mission cannot
but gain by your success.

What we need now is a
muscular Christian…

…to make folks
sit up and notice.

How good are you, Eric?

Sandy reckons he'll run for
Scotland before the month's out.

- And after that, the sky's the limit.
- Meaning what?

The Olympic Games, maybe.

Eric, you can praise the
Lord by peeling a spud…

…if you peel it to perfection.
Don't compromise.

Compromise is a
language of the Devil.

Run in God's name…

…and let the world
stand back in wonder.

Lean and his mercy will provide

Trust and thy trusting
soul shall prove

Christ is its life
and Christ its love

Run the straight race
Through God's good grace

Lift up thine eyes
and seek his face

Life with its way before us lies

Christ is the path
and Christ the prize

You came to see a race today.
To see someone win.

It happened to be me.

But I want you to do more
than just watch a race.

I want you to take part in it.

I want to compare faith
to running in a race.

It's hard.

It requires concentration
of will, energy of soul.

You experience elation when
the winner breaks the tape.

Especially if you've
got a bet on it.

But how long does that last?

You go home, maybe
your dinner's burnt.

Maybe… Maybe you
haven't got a job.

So who am I to say, "Believe…"

"…have faith," in the
face of life's realities?

I would like to give you
something more permanent…

…but I can only point the way.

I have no formula for
winning the race.

Everyone runs in her own
way, or his own way.

And where does the power come
from to see the race to its end?

From within.

Jesus said:

"Behold, the Kingdom
of God is within you."

If with all your hearts
you truly seek me…

"…you shall ever
surely find me."

If you commit yourself…

…to the love of Christ…

…then that is how you
run the straight race.

Cheers. Thanks for coming.
Thanks for coming.

It's an ache…

…a helplessness…

…an anger.

One feels humiliated.

Sometimes I say to myself, "Hey,
steady on, you're imagining all this."

And then I catch
that look again.

Catch it on the
edge of a remark…

…feel a cold reluctance
in a handshake.

That's my father.

A Lithuanian Jew.

He is alien. He's as
foreign as a frankfurter.

And a kosher one at that.

I love and admire him.

He worships this country.

From nothing he built what
he believed was enough…

…to make true
Englishmen of his sons.

My brother's a doctor.

A leader in his field.

Which one…? That's me
with the curls on his back.

God.

He wanted for nothing. Hmm.

And here am I…

…setting up shop in the
finest university in the land.

But the old man
forgot one thing.

This England of his is
Christian and Anglo-Saxon…

…and so are her
corridors of power.

And those who stalk them guard
them with jealousy and venom.

You're right to study law.
You're quite an advocate.

Heh. A rare ethnic advantage.

It's called the gift of the gab.

So, what now? Grin and bear it?

No, Aubrey. I'm
gonna take them on.

All of them. One by one.

And run them off their feet.

He is an Englishman

For he himself has said it

And it's greatly to his credit

That he is an Englishman

England beckons for Sprint Blue.
From our special correspondent.

A French or Turk or Prussian

A clean sweep for
Cambridge star.

Abrahams' hat trick…

…from a special correspondent.

He remains an Englishman

But in spite of all temptations

To belong to other nations

He remains an Englishman

He remains an Englishman

Bravo, Harold.

Mr. Mussabini, I believe?

My name is Keddie. Colonel
John Keddie. I'm…

President of the Scottish Three A's. I
know, and I'm glad to know you, sir.

- How's the leg? Nasty fall you took.
- Okay.

- Nice to see you.
- Good luck.

You're very welcome
here, of course…

…but we do have a
strict amateur code.

Colonel, don't worry your head.

- I'm here spectating, that's all.
- Yes. I felt sure you would understand.

Well, to battle.

I hope you enjoy the games.

Games? You must be joking, I've
seen better organized riots.

Come on, Scotland!

Gentlemen, get to your marks.

Get set.

Get up, lad. Get up.

Come on! MAN 2: Come on!

He'll never do it.

Don't you believe it.
His head's not bad yet.

Come on, Eric!

Go on.

Well done, Eric. Well done.

He'll be all right in a jiffy.
I'll get his clothes.

You take good care of this
lad of yours, Mr. McGrath.

Because if you drop him, you'll
never find another one like this.

It was not the prettiest quarter
I've ever seen, Mr. Liddell…

…but certainly the bravest.
Get him up.

- Come on.
- Gently.

Keep your arm around.

Mr. Mussabini.

Mr. Abrahams, isn't it?

So you've traveled 300
miles just to see me?

You and Liddell. I'd heard
you were both the best.

- And what do you think now?
- Eric Liddell?

I've never seen such drive,
such commitment in a runner.

He runs like a wild animal.
He unnerves me.

So he should. Frightens the
living daylights out of me.

Yes, well, I want you
to help me take him on.

Oh, em…

- Now, Mr. Abrahams, are you married?
- No, why?

Well, when the right
girl comes along…

…how will you feel if she
pops the questions, hmm?

You see, Mr. Abrahams,
like the bridegroom…

…it's the coach that
should do the asking.

Mr. Mussabini…

…I can run fast.
With your help…

…I think I can run even faster,
perhaps faster than any man ever ran.

I want that Olympic medal.

I can see it there.
Its waiting for me.

But I can't get it on my own.

Well, we've an old
saying in my game, son.

"You can't put in
what God's left out."

Now, you leave it to me.

I'll watch you, I'll observe,
and if I think I can help…

…if I can see the big
prize hanging there…

…believe me, I won't
waste any time.

When we meet again…

…I'll be the one
that does the begging.

So you will watch me?

Son, if you're good enough…

…I'll take you apart,
piece by bloody piece.

Thank you.

Everything is a source of fun

Nobody's safe, for
we care for none

Life is a joke that's just begun

Three little maids from school

Three little maids
who all unwary

Come from a ladies' seminary

Freed from its genius tutelary

Three little maids from school

One little maid is
a bride Yum-Yum

Two little maids
in attendance come

Three little maids
is the total sum

Three little maids from school

Three little maids take one away

Two little maids
remain, and they

Won't have to wait
very long, they say

Three little maids from school

Three little maids from school

Three little maids
who all unwary

Come from a ladies' seminary
Freed from its genius tutelary

Three little maids from school

Didn't I tell you?
Isn't she a peach?

She's magnificent.

Bravo, bravo.

It's going rather well.

I didn't know anything, but
I must say, I enjoy it.

What about you?

I've done better productions myself.
Remember them offhand?

I don't remember seeing any.

So the stone heart's frail after all.
Abrahams' smitten, is he?

Smitten? He's decapitated.
He won't listen to reason.

Reason? The lad's in love.

He just set eyes on her. I've
worshiped her for years.

By the way, where is he now?

He's gone to ask
her out to dinner.

- Has he, by Jove?
- In the interval?

- Good for him.
- Thank you.

- Mine, I take it? Mm.
- Harold.

Lovely.

- Uh… Well?
- Well, what?

- Did you speak to her?
- Yes.

- Is she coming?
- Yes.

To dinner? HAROLD: Yes.

She has a kid brother, athletics-mad.
Never stops talking about me.

I think you better
have my glass.

I have a terrible feeling
you're going to need it.

Sorry, Monty.

Yes, thank you very much, sir.

Yes, of course.

Good evening, Miss Gordon.
A triumph, I hear.

Who was that chap over there?

Music critic of the Star.
Boring old buffer, really.

- Well, he obviously enjoyed it.
- I shouldn't think so.

They always say that. They
save the poison for the print.

- Bit off tonight, I thought.
- What?

- You were magnificent.
- Thank you.

One of our little maids has gone and
got herself preggers with a gondolier.

We had to shove her
second on tonight.

Here you go, Miss Sybil.

Thank you, Toffy.

And you, sir.

Thank you.

This is Mr. Abrahams. He's
a very famous runner.

He's trying your special for
the first time tonight.

- I hope you enjoy it, sir.
- I'm sure I shall.

- Well, go on then.
- Ah.

It's a secret concoction of Toffy's.
A sort of cocktail de maison.

So you'd jolly well
better enjoy it.

- Excellent.
- There, Toffy.

You've won yourself
a friend for life.

My favorite, please.

- For two. TOFFY:
My pleasure, sir.

What have I ordered?

Surprise.

- Cheerio.
- Cheerio.

The great Harold Abrahams. My
brother will be insanely jealous.

So will mine.

- You don't look very ruthless.
- Should I?

According to my brother. Tim
says that's why you always win.

- Why running?
- Why singing?

My job.

No, that's silly. I do
it because I love it.

Do you love running?

I'm more of an addict. It's
a compulsion, a weapon.

Against what?

Being Jewish, I suppose.

You're not serious?

You're not Jewish,
or you wouldn't ask.

Fiddlesticks. People don't care.

Anyway, being Jewish
hasn't done you any harm.

I'm what I call semi-deprived.

That sounds clever.
What does it mean?

It means they lead me to water
but they won't let me drink.

You're a funny old stick, Mr.
Harold Abrahams.

Funny…

…but fascinating.

I'll settle for the fascinating.

Life isn't that gloomy, is it?

Not tonight.

You're so beautiful.

Like you.

Pig's trotters.

Oh, my God.

Train arriving at platform two.

The overnight Flying
Scotsman from Aberdeen.

Seven-thirty, Mr. Liddell.
Seven-thirty on the dot.

There you are, sir.
Hot tea and toast.

- All right.
- You sleep all right?

Like a log.

Must have a clear conscience.

Far from it. Are we here?

Aye, sir. Just pulled in. King's Cross.
Oh, and…

…here's the paper,
with your picture in it.

Expecting great things,
from all accounts.

Well, indeed.

- Here you are. MAN:
Seven-eighteen.

Oh, much obliged, sir.

Now, no hurry. You've got an
hour before we kick you out.

And good luck for
this afternoon.

- Thank you.
- Come on, sir. Wake up King's Cross.

Aye, Mr. Abrahams.
So's the Scot.

Mr. Abrahams.

Mr. Liddell.

I'd like to wish you
the best of success.

Thank you. And may
the best man win.

Get to your marks.

Get set.

Extraordinary.

Harold.

Harold.

This is absolutely ridiculous.

It's a race you've lost, not a relative.
Nobody's dead.

For goodness sake, snap out of it, Harold.
You're behaving like a child.

I lost.

I know. I was there, remember?
Watching.

It was marvelous.
You were marvelous.

He was more marvelous, that's all.
On the day, the best man won.

I had to look for him. It's absolutely
fundamental. You never look.

He was ahead. There was nothing you could
have done. He won fair and square.

Well, that's that, Abrahams.

If you can't take a
beating, it's for the best.

I don't run to take beatings.

I run to win.

If I can't win, I won't run.

If you don't run, you can't win.

Give me a ring when you've
sorted that one out.

Sybil.

Don't go.

I just don't know what to do.

Try growing up.

Harold…

…you're a great man.

You ran like a God.

I was proud of you.
Don't make me ashamed.

It's not the losing, Syb.

Eric Liddell's a fine man,
and a fine runner. It's me.

After all that work.

And now, God knows,
what do I aim for?

Beating him the next time.

Sybil, I can't run any faster.

Oh, Mr. Abrahams.

Mr. Abrahams.

I can find you
another two yards.

Sam.

Charlie Paddock,
Californian Cannonball.

World's fastest human.

Winner, 100 Meters, Olympic
Games, 1920, Antwerp.

- Time?
- Ten point three.

Jackson Scholz, the
New York Thunderbolt.

Runner-up, Olympic Games, 1920.
Lost by looking right.

Look, there's the finish. See Paddock
leaping past him at the tape?

That glance cost Scholz the race.
Scholz's fastest?

Ten point three… Four.

Eric Liddell. Well, you
know all about him.

Look at them.

Think them, breathe them.

I want their faces leering at you
every time you shut your eyes.

The Flying Scotsman first.
That bloody well hurt.

What, Eric Liddell?
He's no real problem.

He's a great runner…

…but he needs to go further out.
He's no 100-meters man.

He could've fooled me.

He's fast, but he won't go any faster.
Not in the dash, anyway.

He's a gut runner.

He's all heart, digs deep.

A short sprint is run on nerves.
It's tailor-made for neurotics.

Thanks very much.

No, I mean it. You can
push guts, bully them…

…but you can hone nerves.

Paddock, Scholz,
and Eric Liddell.

Come here a minute, Mr.
Abrahams.

Now, do you know why you
lost the other day?

Because you're overstriding,
just a couple of inches.

These coins represent the
strides in your 100 meters.

Have you got another two coins, Mr.
Abrahams?

Well, maybe we can find them.

As I said, overstriding.

Death to the sprinter.

Slap in the face,
each stride you take.

Knocks you back.

Like that. And that.

Ha-ha-ha. Now.

I want you to imagine you're
running on hot bricks.

If you leave your feet too long
on the ground, they'll get burnt.

Up, up, up. Light, light, light.
Light as a feather.

Set!

No. Got your head back again.
Get it level.

That's it.

Faster, come on.

Pass the car. Go on.

Go on. Go on. Go on. On, on!

Come on, now. Keep
it up, come on.

Rhythm, Mr. Abrahams. Rhythm!

Training, training, training.
All I ever hear is training.

Do you believe in what
we're doing here or not?

Look, Jennie, I'm sorry.

I was late. I apologize.

That's all very well, Eric.

Look, I said I was sorry.

To me. Its not me
you've insulted.

Away with your bother.

The Lord will not feel slighted
in the missing of a bus.

Yes, Eric, you missed a bus.
But why?

Your mind's not with
us anymore, son.

It's full of running,
starting and medals and pace.

Your head's so full of running
you've no room for standing still.

Jennie, Jennie, Jennie.

Don't fret yourself.

But I do fret myself, Eric.

I'm frightened for you.

I'm frightened for what
it all might do to you.

Ahem. Please, Mr. Liddell.

- Would you sign your name, please?
- Sure.

Pick yourself a pen.

- There you are.
- Thanks.

Come on, Jennie, let's go for a walk.
I've got something to say.

It's a sight and a half,
isn't it, Jennie?

Auld Reekie. I'll
be sad to leave it.

I've decided. I'm
going back to China.

- The missionary service have accepted me.
- Oh, Eric!

Oh, I'm so pleased.

But I've got a lot of
running to do first.

Jennie.

Jennie, you've got
to understand.

I believe that God
made me for a purpose.

For China.

But he also made me fast.

And when I run I
feel his pleasure.

To give it up would be
to hold him in contempt.

You were right.
It's not just fun.

To win is to honor him.

Jennie.

I've got my degree to get.

All that work.

Then there's Paris.

The Olympic Games.

There's just not enough of me.

I'm asking you to manage the
mission on your own until then.

Will you do that for me, Jennie?

Andy, I've lost him.
I can't reach him.

You will, old girl, you will.

He says he needs to
clear his mind of me.

He can't love me and say that.

Syb…

…the world's against
him, or so he believes.

Now he's got a chance
to prove himself.

He can't see or hear anything
beyond that, not even you.

It's hard, I know, but you've
got to try and understand.

- Why should I?
- Because he's what you want, isn't he?

What about you, and Stallard, and Aubrey?
You're still the same.

The chance is there
for you, too.

To be a fastest, yes,
but not the fastest.

The fastest man ever before.

Heh.

Father's never going to
learn how to do that.

That's immortality.

Just think what that means
to a man like Harold.

To me the whole thing's fun.
I don't need that.

"Cast care aside" and all that.
Heh.

But for Harold, it's
a matter of life…

…and death.

- So all I can do is wait.
- Afraid so.

And pray like hell
that he wins, right?

And if he doesn't?

You mustn't worry, old thing.

Now, I've never, ever seen a
man so smitten as our Harold.

It's just that I'm a little
envious, that's all.

Oh, Andy.

- Your parasol, Miss Gordon.
- Oh, thank you, Mildred.

Good luck tonight.

He's a damned fool.

I always thought the
Irish had all the luck.

- John, Savoy Theatre.
- Yes, sir.

Splendid.

Mildred, would you
get my spikes.

Ready, my lord.

Now, if I shed a
drop I want to know.

Touch but not spill, what.

Life slips by, Abrahams,
life slips by.

But this fine old university…

…she offers some rare
consolations, wouldn't you say?

Beyond measure, sir.

I can take it, then, that you
would be acutely grieved…

…to discover that any behavior or action
on your part were causing her grief?

Naturally, sir, I would, deeply.

Good. I was sure of it.

Here in Cambridge, we've always
been proud of our athletic prowess.

We believe, we've always
believed, that our games…

…are indispensable in helping to
complete the education of an Englishman.

They create character…

…they foster courage,
honesty and leadership.

But most of all…

…an unassailable spirit of loyalty,
comradeship, and mutual responsibility.

Would you agree?

Yes, sir. I would.

Abrahams, there is a growing suspicion
in the bosom of this university…

…and I tell you this without in any
way decrying your achievements…

…in which we all rejoice…

…that in your
enthusiasm for success…

…you have perhaps lost sight
of some of these ideals.

May I ask what form this
disloyalty, this betrayal, takes?

- Oh, hardly betrayal.
- The word "grief" was mentioned.

It's said that you use
a personal coach.

Mr. Mussabini, yes.

Is he an Italian?

- Of Italian extraction, yes.
- I see.

But not all Italian.

- I'm relieved to hear it.
- He's half Arab.

Do we take it that you employ this Mr.
Masambini on a professional basis?

Sam Mussabini is the
finest, most advanced…

…clearest-thinking athletics
coach in the country.

I'm honored he considers me
worthy of his complete attention.

- Nevertheless, he is a professional.
- What else would he be? He's the best.

Oh, but there, Mr. Abrahams,
I'm afraid our paths diverge.

You see, this university believes
that the way of the amateur…

…is the only one to provide
satisfactory results.

I am an amateur.

You've been trained by a professional.
You've adopted a professional attitude.

For the past year, you've
concentrated wholly…

…on developing your
own technique…

…in the headlong pursuit, may
I suggest, of individual glory.

Not a policy very conducive to the
fostering of esprit de corps.

I am a Cambridge man
first and last.

I am an Englishman
first and last.

What I have achieved, what I intend
to achieve, is for my family…

…my university,
and my country.

And I bitterly resent your
suggesting otherwise.

Your aim is to win at
all costs, is it not?

At all costs, no. But I do
aim to win within the rules.

Perhaps you would rather I
play the gentleman and lost?

To playing the tradesman, yes.

My dear boy, your
approach has been…

…if I may say so, a
little too plebeian.

You are the elite…

…and are therefore
expected to behave as such.

Thank you, sir…

…for your hospitality.

The evening has been
most illuminating.

Good night to you, sir.

You know, gentlemen…

…you yearn for
victory just as I do.

But achieved with the apparent
effortlessness of gods.

Yours are the archaic values
of the prep-school playground.

You deceive no one
but yourselves.

I believe in the pursuit
of excellence…

…and I'll carry
the future with me.

Well, there goes
your Semite, Hugh.

A different god, a
different mountaintop.

- Harold! Harold!
- Hey, Harold!

All of us, you, Henry,
Andy and me, we're all in.

You, 100 and 200, Andy,
400 and hurdles.

- Marvelous news.
- Henry the mile, and me the steeplechase.

Paris, here we come.

Um… Heard Liddell's picked, too.
Rivals under the same flag.

You've got a chance to get even.

I can't wait.

Welcome to Dover,
Lord Birkenhead.

Are the Yanks so well trained they'll
wipe the floor with our boys?

It's certainly true that the
Americans have prepared seriously…

…some would say too
seriously, to gain success.

But we feel we may, in our
unsophisticated way, have their match.

Sir, do you think the
British stand a chance…

…against such great American athletes
as Charlie Paddock and Jackson Scholz?

Oh. You Americans have a number of men
who are rated as world-beaters…

…but this contest is in Europe, not in
the rarefied climes of the United States.

Parisian conditions are
bound to be more robust…

…more combative, and
certainly more cavalier.

More cavalier? MAN 2: Lord
Birkenhead, are the Yanks…

…so professionally well trained that
they will wipe the floor with our boys?

Gentlemen, in Abrahams,
Liddell, and Lindsay…

…we have men who could give
them a run for their money.

Eric.

Sandy.

You haven't come from
Scotland just to see me off?

No, I'm seeing myself off.
Come on up the gangway.

- Good luck, Mr. Liddell.
- Thank you.

Mr. Liddell, what do you think of
your chances against Abrahams?

I'll do my best. I can do no less.
Right?

Mr. Liddell, sir, what about the
qualifying heats on Sunday?

- What did you say?
- On Sunday.

Do you think you can
beat the Americans?

There's Mr. Abrahams.

- Mr. Abrahams…
- I'm sorry, I've no time.

- Harold. Gilbert and Sullivan will win.
- Thanks very much for coming.

- Harold.
- Sybil.

- I came to wish you luck.
- I'm glad.

I understand. I wanted
you to know that.

I'll be here when you come back.

Hurry, Mr. Abrahams,
she's about to sail.

I must go. I'll see
you in three weeks.

Bye-bye.

Mind your step, sir. We want
you to get there in one piece.

Come on.

When did you get to know?

Did you not read the paper?
It had the whole program.

The heats for the 100 are on
Sunday after the opening ceremony.

The semis and final,
a couple days after.

It's only a heat.

Does it make all
that difference?

Yeah.

Yeah, it does.

And strong… Strong though
the temptation may be…

…to disport your newly acquired
finery around the streets of Paris…

…if they aren't
temptation enough…

…may I ask you on behalf
of the Olympic Committee…

…to save your
sartorial splendor…

…until at least after
the opening ceremony.

May I remind you…

…you are the favored few.

You constitute what
is without doubt…

…the most powerful athletic
force ever to leave these shores.

You are to face
the world's best.

Brown and yellow, white and black,
young and ardent as yourselves…

…fleet of foot and
strong of limb…

…from every civilized nation
on the face of the Earth.

I have no doubt…

…that you will acquit yourselves
honorably and with distinction.

Good luck to you all.

Your mind's not with us anymore.

It's full of sprinting,
starting and medals and pace.

Your head's so full of running
you've no room for standing still.

Jennie, Jennie. Don't
fret yourself.

I do fret myself, Eric.

I'm frightened for you.

I'm frightened what it
all might do to you.

- Do you know what day it is?
- Yeah. Sunday.

Sabbath's not a day for
playing football, is it?

It's an awful step
you're taking, Liddell.

The whole of Britain will be watching you.
I don't know that they'll understand.

I'm not sure that I understand.

I'm not sure that
I do either, sir.

For the last three years, I've
devoted myself to my running…

…just to be on this ship.

I gave up my rugby, my
work has suffered…

…and I've deeply hurt
someone I hold very dear.

Because I told
myself, if I win…

…I win for God.

And now I find myself sitting
here destroying it all.

But I have to. To run would
be against God's law.

I was mistaken.

My boy, as things stand,
you must not run.

But I want you to hold your
fire for a while, Liddell.

Leave everything to me.

Say nothing. Wait until
we get to Paris.

I'll have a word with the French.
I'm not without a certain pull.

And we fought in the war together.
They do owe us something.

I don't understand.

They're not a very
principled lot, the Frogs.

But when faced with a stand
like yours, one never knows.

I might get through.

I just might possibly
persuade them.

The French, sir?

What could they do?

Shift that bloody heat
of yours, of course.

Good evening.

Goodbye, sir.

With cat-like tread

Upon our prey we steal

In silence dread Our
cautious way we feel

No sound at all We
never speak a word

A fly's footfall Would
be distinctly heard

Come friends, who plough the sea

Truce to navigation
Take another station

Let's vary piracy With
a little burglary

I wish you could see, Ma…

…the wonderful spirit aboard
now that we've left England.

Harold on the piano with his
beloved Gilbert and Sullivan.

We're laughing and relaxing,
and chatting about anything.

Anything but running.

We're here for Britain, and we know it.
I'm here for you, Ma.

You and Pa. I hope
I do you proud.

There's not a chap amongst us who
isn't ready to burst his heart…

…for all we've left behind.

"American champions
arrive in France."

There's Paddock.
Charles Paddock.

There's Fitch. AUBREY: My God.

And there's Scholz.

Yes, that's Scholz all right.

A bit more my size. Mean
with it, though. 10.4.

Got your plate full
there, Harold.

Battle on your hands, what.

Charles H. Paddock…

…and Jackson Scholz. The
fastest men in the world.

Push it, Taylor, push it!

Come on, push it, push it.

One, two. One, two. One, two.

Come on, now. Okay, get up.

Come on!

Go on like a champ, will you?

Hey, Scholzy!

- Well.
- Good luck, Andy.

Good luck, Harry.

Monty.

Your Royal Highness, may I introduce Mr.
Tom Watson, representing New Zealand.

How do you do? You've
come a long way.

I'm from Oxford, sir.
They wrote to me, said

as I was here, I might
as well take part.

How economical. But can you run?

I'll give it a try, sir. PRINCE: That's
the spirit. Best of luck to you.

- The royal benediction no less.
- Chap's invaluable.

- We couldn't do without him.
- Hear, hear. Henry V and all that.

- Let's go.
- Protocol, Monty. Protocol.

He's here to show us what may be done
and more essentially, what may not be.

- Jackson Scholz.
- How do you do?

I'm Eric Liddell.

Well, we've heard a lot about you.
Good to meet you at last.

- Ah. JACKSON: Liddell.
Excuse me.

I was afraid you weren't here.

I'm afraid I am, sir.

Fine. Do you good. Take you
out of yourself a bit.

The Prince of Wales
would like to meet you.

No. No.

No, sir. Wouldn't be right.

Liddell, he is your future king.

Are you refusing
to shake his hand?

Does your arrogance
extend that far?

My arrogance, sir, extends just
as far as my conscience demands.

Fine.

Then let's hope that's wise enough
to give you room for maneuver.

- All right, sir.
- Splendid.

I'll take you to him now.

Your Royal Highness, may I present Mr.
Eric Liddell.

Delighted, Liddell. Delighted.

I saw you play for Scotland.
It depressed me no end.

Ran in a couple of tries from
your own half, I remember.

I believe I did so, yes.

Nice to have you on the
same side at last.

- Excellent effort of Lindsay's, you think?
- He did well, sir. Did indeed.

An example to us all.

Eric, may I introduce His Grace
the Duke of Sutherland…

- …president of our Olympic Association.
- How do you do?

And our chairman, Lord Cadogan.

Have a seat.

Make yourself comfortable.

Cigar?

Oh, no, of course you don't.
Nor drink.

Such is the resolution of the young
man you have before you, gentlemen.

Lord Birkenhead has advised us as to your
attitude towards your participation…

…in the 100-meters
heats, Liddell.

Or would your non-participation
be more accurate?

It would, sir, yes.

We were consulted as to the correct
manner in which to approach the French.

Something we just can't
allow to happen…

…going cap-in-hand to
the Frogs of all people.

Simply out of the question.

Simple matter of national
dignity, Liddell.

Being a patriot, I'm
sure you understand.

Well, I must say, sir, I felt it
was an impractical suggestion.

Why didn't you damn
well say so, man?

As an athlete you value
economy of effort.

I wanted to run. I was desperate
enough to try anything.

Well, all that being
understood…

…we decided to invite you
in for a little chat…

…to see if there's any way
we can resolve the situation.

There's only one way to
resolve the situation.

That's for this man to
change his mind and run.

Don't state the
obvious, Cadogan.

We've to explore ways in which we can help
this young man to reach that decision.

I'm afraid there
are no ways, sir.

I won't run on a Sabbath,
and that's final.

I intended to confirm this with
Lord Birkenhead tonight…

…even before you called me up
in front of this inquisition.

Don't be impertinent.

The impertinence lies with those who seek
to influence a man to deny his beliefs.

On the contrary, Liddell…

…we're appealing
to your beliefs…

…in your country and your king.
Your loyalty to them.

Hear, hear. In my day,
it was king first…

…God after.

Yes, and the war to end wars
bitterly proved your point.

God made countries.
God makes kings…

…and the rules by
which they govern.

And those rules say that
the Sabbath is his.

And I for one intend
to keep it that way.

Mr. Liddell, you're a child
of your race, as I am.

We share a common heritage, a
common bond, a common loyalty.

There are times when we're
asked to make sacrifices…

…in the name of that loyalty.

Without them, our
allegiance is worthless.

As I see it, for you…

…this is such a time.

Sir…

…God knows I love my country.

But I can't make that sacrifice.

Come in.

Ahem. Your Royal
Highness, Lord Lindsay.

Your Highness, Lord
Cadogan, gentlemen.

I do apologize for
barging in like this.

Fact is, I am fully aware
of Eric's dilemma…

…and I wondered if I could be so bold
as to suggest a possible solution.

Do.

Yes.

Another day, another race.

What the devil's that
supposed to mean?

It's quite simple, sir.
The 400 meters.

It's on Thursday. I've
already got my medal.

So why don't you let Eric
take my place in the quarter?

I think that's a splendid idea.

Can we allow him to change
events at such short notice?

That's a matter for
the committee.

We are the committee.

I think it's a very good idea.
David?

All those in favor, say aye.

Aye.

Liddell.

A pleasure, old chap…

…just to see you run.

Aye. Heh.

Well, that's settled.

- A sticky moment, George.
- Hmm.

Thank God for Lindsay. I
thought the lad had us beaten.

He did have us beaten, F.E.,
and thank God he did.

- I don't quite follow you.
- Well, the lad, as you call him…

…is a true man of principle,
and a true athlete.

His speed is a mere extension
of his life, its force.

We sought to sever his
running from himself.

For his country's sake, yes.

No sake is worth that, F.E., least
of all a guilty national pride.

"Lindsay makes way for Liddell. Four
hundred meters for defecting Scot."

'Smacks of fanaticism,
' says official.

'Man of principle, ' says primate.
'We should be proud."'

So that's the Olympic stadium?

That's it, Sam. It's as good
as being in there, isn't it?

Better. Seeing as I'm
persona non grata.

Yeah.

It's tiptop, Mr. Abrahams.
You've done a grand job.

If we don't win now
we never will.

Have I got everything,
Sam, everything you need?

Ah…

Yes.

All we need now is Sunday.

My text this afternoon is taken
from Isaiah, Chapter 40.

"Behold…"

…the nations are as
a drop in a bucket…

…and are counted as the
small dust in the balance.

All nations before
him are as nothing.

They are counted to him
less than nothing…

…and vanity.

He bringeth the
princes to nothing.

He maketh the judges of
the earth as a vanity.

Hast thou not known?

Hast thou not heard…

…that the everlasting
God, the Lord…

…the creator of the
ends of the earth…

"…fainteth not,
neither is weary?"

Juvenile.

I know, Sam.

"He giveth power to the faint."

And to them that
have no strength…

…he increaseth might.

But they that wait
upon the Lord…

…shall renew their strength.

They shall mount up…

…with wings as eagles.

They shall run…

…and not be weary.

They shall walk…

"…and not faint."

Do you remember when we first
bumped into each other, old man?

We shared a taxi, remember?

You made me feel…

…an age old, burdened, sour…

That was the
miscalculation of my life.

You, Aubrey…

…are my most complete man.

You're brave…

…compassionate, kind.

A content man.

That's your secret.

Contentment.

I'm 24 and I've never known it.

I'm forever in pursuit, yet I don't
know what it is I'm chasing.

Aubrey, old chap, I'm scared.

Sam and I, we've labored,
rowed and bullied for this…

…day in, day out.

You've seen us, chuckled
over us I'll be bound…

…out in all weathers.

Madmen.

And for what?

I was beaten out of
sight in the 200…

…then let Paddock
trick me in the semi.

And now in one hour's time
I'll be out there again.

I'll raise my eyes and
look down that corridor…

…4 feet wide…

…with 10 lonely seconds to
justify my whole existence.

But will I?

Aubrey, I've known the
fear of losing…

…but now I'm almost
too frightened to win.

Dear Mr. Abrahams, you
must please pardon…

…my not coming
to see you run…

…much as I would
like to do so.

However, I believe and hope
you will win the 100 meters.

Go out determined to do your best.
And don't forget…

…drop down at
the first stride.

Get well warmed up…

…and then let the
gun release you.

I should use the springy
old six-spike shoes.

All the best of luck, from
yours truly, Sam Mussabini.

P.S. Please accept the charm.

My old father swore by it.

No regrets, Eric, you're
not down there with them?

Yeah.

No doubts, though.

Your Royal Highness, may I present Mr.
Bowman of the United States.

Mr. Bowman.

- Mr. Murchison.
- Mr. Murchison.

And Mr. Watson of New
Zealand I believe you know.

- Yes, Mr. Watson. How are you?
- Very well, sir. Thank you.

- Good.
- Mr. Paddock.

Mr. Paddock. Dinner for your whole team
at my club when we get back to London.

If you win, I pay. Abrahams
wins, you pay. All right?

Sir, you have yourself a deal.

Done.

- Best of luck to you.
- And to you too, sir.

- Mr. Scholz.
- Scholz.

And this of course is
our Harold Abrahams.

- Good luck, Abrahams.
- Thank you.

Do your best, that's
all we can expect.

- Good luck, Abrahams.
- Thank you, sir.

Come on, Charlie.

Head down.

Watch the first stride.

Go for release.

Harold.

My son.

- Harold!
- Shh, shh, shh.

Leave him be, can't
you see he's whacked?

- But he won.
- Exactly.

Now, one of these days, Monty,
you're going to win yourself.

And it's pretty
difficult to swallow.

Come in.

Mrs. Abrahams just rang, miss.
The Daily Express.

They've been on from Paris.

Mr. Harold. He won. She
told me to tell you he won.

Thank you very much, Bill.

Oh, it's 15 minutes
to curtain up, miss.

He did it, sir.

Thank you, Matthews.

"Abrahams triumphant.

Caius College athlete wins
Blue Riband at games."

Just as I expected.

Yes, you always thought of yourself
as a ruthless man, haven't you? Hard.

Bit of a loner, like me.

But actually you're as
soft as a limp pocket.

And you care.

You care about things
that really matter.

If you didn't, I wouldn't have
come within a mile of you.

Do you know who you won
for out there today, hmm?

Us.

You and old Sam Mussabini.

I've waited 30 bloody
years for this.

Oh.

Harold!

It means the world to
me, this, you know.

And if all the world can do…

…is they want to go home to
bed, then they can go to hell.

Because we've had
today, you and me…

…and we've got it for keeps.

Now it's out of your system.

Go home to that girl of yours, and
start some bloody living. Yes?

- To Sam Mussabini.
- Oh.

The greatest trainer
in the world.

Hmm?

These glasses.

Come on, Sam, we're going home.

Good luck. Don't expect I'll
see you until after the race.

What's the deal with Liddell?
Is he a problem?

No problem, he's a flier.

He's had two races today already.
He'll die.

Just swing along,
you guys, and wait.

After 300 meters…

…rigor mortis sets in.
You'll pull him in on a rope.

Good luck, Taylor.

- Watch out for Liddell.
- Coach says no problem.

He's got something to prove.
Something personal.

Something guys like coach
will never understand.

USA, USA, USA.

Jennie!

"It says in the old book,
'He that honors me…"

…I will honor.'

"Good luck. Jackson Scholz."

So where does the power come
from to see the race to its end?

From within.

Come on, Liddell!

Jennie, I believe God
made me for a purpose.

But he also made me fast.

And when I run, I
feel his pleasure.

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 those dark Satanic mills?

Bring me my Bow of burning gold

- Well, Andy, he did it.
- Hmm?

- What's that, old boy?
- He ran them off their feet.

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