Customer Reviews

Chariots Of Fire

5 star:		(33)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

There is no wondering why Vangelis received an Oscar for his soundtrack to "Chariots Of Fire." It is infinitely superb, perfect for the movie, and perfect away from the movie. When I was road racing, I would listen to cut seven, also called "Chariots Of Fire," to prepare my mind for competition.

In the opening cut, "Titles," you can hear the tension of the sprint. Muscles flex with each note, and you'll feel the drive to finish first, to win. This is the song you heard in the early 80s, and, if you are lucky, still hear on soft jazz and easy listening stations.

"Five Circles" is misty-dewed mystical piece. Slowly paced synthesized winds will draw you into contemplation. Aptly named for the Olympic symbol, it has a power of lifelong dreams mixed with the imminence of the moment.

"Abraham's Theme" is a boldly sentimental, but not maudlin piece. The bells chime almost mournfully, with whale sounds piercing and overlaying through this achingly beautiful composition.

"Eric's Theme" is often played on the radio, but it never loses its message of grace. It preludes "Chariots of Fire"'s sheer intensity with its own persuasive pulse, with bass drums and cymbals beating, but not overwhelming.

"100 Meters" begins in a spacelike mysterium. It is filled with questions, and asks them as well as invites the listener to ask them. "For whom do I run?" the movie's theme, is musically weaved throughout.

Smoothly transitioning is the choral orchestration of "Jerusalem," answering the questions of "100 Meters." The sole work with words, it begins:

"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?"

This mighty songs brings a mighty decision:

"Bring me my spear: O clouds unfold!/ Bring me my chariot of fire!"

Finally is the majestic "Chariots of Fire," a 20:41 epic of undulated, unmatched passion for truth and God. A carefully fingered piano melody peacefully prepares the listener for the growing strength of this magnificent piece. Like Ravel's "Bolero," Vangelis increases the tempo, empowers the theme to be greater than the score. The piano notes dance, bringing in elements from the other cuts, until we go from a walk to a run.

For the runners who've been there, it is much akin to an early morning autumn long run, when you feel great, and in that groove. The pace drops mildly as you relax and enjoy the freshness of the run, but the final few miles are ahead. Like the speed-playing fartlek, it never monotonous.

Quickening, we can feel the runner sweat, excited about the last 50 meters. In a glorious finish, we are given an enthusiastic, marvelous crossing of the last step in a rested, satisfied way.

I fully recommend "Chariots Of Fire" by Vangelis.

Anthony Trendl
editor, HungarianBookstore.com

Sorry, but some of the reviews following this one are incorrect. This is the actual 1981 soundtrack album performed by Vangelis himself and NOT a tribute album! Vangelis' masterful score won an academy award in 1981 and it's easy to hear why. Such beautifully-crafted melodies! Everyone is of course familiar with the stunning "Titles" main theme which has been lampooned many times in film and television (to its great discredit). But the music that follows is even greater. Listen to the haunting strains of "Abraham's Theme" and you'll see (hear) what I mean. Then there's the gorgeous melodic theme of "Five Circles." Truly breath-taking! Synthesizer music has never sounded so good. This is without question Vangelis' best work and remains my favorite movie soundtrack. Needless to say, highly recommended!

If all you've heard is the short radio version of the Chariots of Fire theme (called "Titles" on this album), then you've missed out. The 20 minute version is as passionate and powerful in its popular classical style as Ravel's Bolero is in a more traditional style. It ranks as one of my favorite pieces of all time.

Unlike many movie soundtracks, this CD stands on its own. You need not have seen the movie to enjoy this. If you know the complex religious themes of "Chariots of Fire" and the genuine history behind Eric Liddle's career as a runner, you'll appreciate the music that much more. His commitment to living out his faith despite the cost to his career is relatively unheard of.

Of note is the choral piece, "Jerusalem," as performed by the Ambrosian Singers. I'm no big fan of choral arrangements in general, but I'm sold on this one.

Interesting point: Dodi Fayed of Princess Diana fame and tragedy was the executive producer of the film.

Buy this album... and be happy it is on CD, not the old vinyl LPs. Had it been vinyl, you'd've worn it out far sooner than you tire of it.

I fully recommend this CD.

Anthony Trendl

Why does the 'Chariots of Fire' experience linger a full 22 years after its original release? Part of it has to do with director Hugh Hudson's beautifully choreographed imagery, most notably the heart-stirring beach running scenes. That's just great movie-making.

But what has kept 'Chariots' front and center for over more than two decades is the music of Vangelis. This is the Gold Standard for movie soundtracks, right up there with The Godfather and Star Wars in terms of tunes that have been burned into the collective consciousness of the world-wide movie-going public.

Of course, here you get the well-known single, known (in a bit of misdirection) as 'Titles.' The track here listed as 'Chariots of Fire' is in fact 20+ minutes of Vangelis-directed backdrop, pieced together from various moments of the film. [Great stuff, by the way.]

You also get a stirring choral recitation of 'Jerusalem' (no Vangelis participation there). This was a great fit in the film for the Harry Abrahams storyline. It's a treat to have it included on the soundtrack.

"Eric's Theme" is a personal favorite. It's redolent of 'Titles,' but it's given a lighter, almost Scottish Highland touch by Vangelis. A perfect tribute to The Flying Scot.

Vangelis' riveting score is one of the best ever written. The Main Theme is an extraordinarily moving piece while the character themes are very stimulating. The final twenty minutes of the soundtrack feature some brilliant piano playing. The Ambrosian Singers give a superb performance. While viewing the conclusion of the film, I couldn't help but shed tears while the runners graced across the beach with the Main Theme in accompaniment.

I can't imagine what an extremely tough decision it must of been for the Academy's voters to choose between Chariots and John Williams' magnificent score for Raiders of the Lost Ark. Vangelis won the Oscar while Williams was the recipient of the Grammy Award in 1981.

Anyway, I highly recommend both of these excellent works to all fans of film music. They have truly set the standard for great movie music.

One of the biggest fans of the movie, the soundtrack enhances rather than detracts from most modern movies.

Vangelis won the '81 Academy Award for original score with this, and he did produce and perform this.

The intensity of the contrast between Eric Liddell and Abrahams is extraordinair. Vangelis seemed to pick this up as well as you can even feel the Scottish coast when his opening plays.

Jerusalem gets help from the Ambrosian Singers and is so powerful in its voice and mood. From all popular Eric's Theme to Titles and Chariots of Fire, this is just outstanding score for a classic film.

There are 3 CDs that share these reviews. One of them is the original score, performed by Vangelis. The others are compilations. Search for "Chariots of Fire" and see for yourself. Of the two that say "compilation," the import is a better deal--a few dollars less for exactly the same material. There seems to be some confusion among the following reviewers.

When it comes to movie soundtracks, CHARIOTS OF FIRE by Vangelis is the gold standard; it's a perfect marriage between visuals and sweeping music that conveys grandeur, heartbreak, passion, joy, and speed. By turns lovely and lyrical, as well as turbulent and challenging, Vangelis' Academy Award-Winning score represents a triumph in a career filled with titanic achievements. All of the selections here are instrumentals, save for the traditional "Jerusalem," which receives powerful choral treatment in keeping with Vangelis' longstanding usage of majestic vocal pieces. "Titles," of course, is the most familiar track, and it's a dandy, but "Eric's Theme" is perhaps even better. "Five Circles" and "Abraham's Theme" are both poignant and the "Chariots of Fire" track (containing a great deal of music that does not appear in the film) is staggering in its bold beauty. If I can find any fault with this release at all, it's that more music from the film itself was not included ...there are some wonderful musical moments in the film that are deserving of inclusion in this set. Should there ever be a 25th anniversary edition of the movie and the soundtrack, I would hope that each receives the attention and the prestige that they deserve, including extra music tracks, deluxe packaging, and in-depth commentary and features. Simply put, this is some of the most powerful music ever composed, accompanying one of the greatest films ever made.

'Chariots of Fire' is one of the most inspiring, heartfelt films of all-time, a true cinematic masterpiece. One of the major contributing factors in bringing this film to such lofty status is the incorporation of what is probably the most beautiful and emotionally moving soundtracks ever to accompany a film.

In 'Chariots of Fire' Vangelis has perfectly captured in these seven compositions the hopes and dreams of a generation that few of us are old enough to remember. His music exudes humanity and all the noble traits that are so lacking today; courage, commitment, determination and faith. Vangelis' soundtrack graces the listener with an interior vision of a simpler, nostalgic time and place where a few young men "seized the day" and ran their way to glory.

We recently heard one of the songs from the old movie Chariots of Fire (which we haven't seen or heard in years) and my husband really liked it so I bought the CD for him for his birthday. It's a very good easy listening piece and brings back images from the movie to your mind. We really enjoy it - especially at full volume! Now we need to buy the DVD if it's out on one!