Chariots of FirePG

Directed by Hugh Hudson | UK | 1980 | 2h 3m | Starring Ben Cross, Ian Charleson, Nicholas Farrell, Ian Holm, Lindsay Anderson

Hugh Hudson’s exhilarating account of the struggle by Eric Liddell and Harold Abrahams to compete on their own terms at the 1924 Olympics. In the religiously divided United Kingdom of the early 1920s, devout Christian Liddel sees running as part of his worship of God’s glory, while Abrahams overcomes anti-Semitism in his rise to the top. A rousing British drama which won Best Picture at the Academy Awards in 1982 and is fondly remembered for Vengelis’ soul-stirring synth score.

Classic Season: Sakamoto / Vangelis / Badalamenti

Reviews

‘From the opening scene of pale young men racing barefoot along the beach, full of hope and elation, backed by Vangelis’s now famous anthem, the film is utterly compelling.’
★★★★★
Kate Muir, The Times

‘Chariots is a film for the ages.’
★★★★★
Ian Freer, Empire Magazine

Sorry - you missed it!

We showed Chariots of Fire between June 11, 2023 and June 12, 2023.

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Today (Thursday 30th April)
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18:00

The Magic Faraway Tree U
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20:30

The Wicker Man 15
+ Introduction
1h 35m
A devout Christian policeman travels to Scotland’s Summerisle to investigate a missing girl. A bleakly comic folk-horror culminating in one of 1970s British cinema’s shocking finales. May Day evening screening plus an introduction by Dr Michael Goodrum.

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Tomorrow (Friday 1st May)
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15:15

Orwell: 2+2=5 15
1h 59m
Oscar-nominated director Raoul Peck, collaborating with the Orwell Estate, explores George Orwell’s life and legacy through archival footage, diary readings and contemporary imagery. Engaging with 1984 and Animal Farm, this urgent documentary reveals the enduring relevance of his prophetic vision.

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18:00

Miroirs No. 3 15
1h 26m | German w/ English subtitles
A young piano student survives a car crash and is taken in by a woman whose intense care turns deeply unsettling. Starring Laura Beer and directed by Christian Petzold, this haunting psychological complex drama probes trauma, memory and hidden pasts.

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20:15

Father Mother Sister Brother 15
1h 50m
Acclaimed director Jim Jarmusch weaves stories across New Jersey, Dublin and Paris, where siblings reunite amid family tensions and tragedy. Starring Adam Driver, Cate Blanchett and Vicky Krieps, this Golden Lion-winning triptych blends quiet humour with poignant insight.

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Plan your visit

Our beautiful art deco inspired auditorium can be found just off East Oxford's Cowley Road.We are open 7 days a week. We open the cinema and box office 30 minutes before the scheduled start time of each film, and the Box Office then closes 10 minutes after the film starts. We only show a few adverts – less than most cinemas – and we only play a couple of trailers, so please don’t be late as the film itself starts very close to the advertised time!

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