1981
Director: Hugh Hudson
Composer: Vangelis Papathanassiou
Distributor: Warner Brothers
Key Elements: Story – Lines – Characters – Message – Music
My Review:
This movie was a huge motivator for me when, in middle school, I took up running.
The movie compares two runners. One has based his identity on winning races. Running IS his life. The other, Eric Liddell, has based his identity on God. Running is how he honors his Father. Of course, it’s the one who runs for God, not himself, that is ultimately the better runner.
The coolest thing is Liddell’s character, based on the actual missionary/runner. He refuses to get caught up in the politics of competition. His goal is to glorify God by running and using that platform to tell others of God’s power.
Hollywood doesn’t often produce such pro-Christian stories.
Also, the music is iconic.
Clip:
Quotes:
- I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run I feel His pleasure.
- If I can't win, I won't run!
- If you don't run, you can't win. - 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 you're dinner's burnt. 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 a straight race.
