Chariots of Fire tells the true story of Harold Abrahams and Eric Liddell, two runners who represented Britain in the 1926 Olympics in Paris. Both men face challenges related to their respective faiths. Abrahams (Ben Cross) must cope with anti-Semitism, while Liddell (Ian Charleson), a devout Christian, must compete on the Sabbath. Both emerge triumphant. Despite criticism for its slight historical inaccuracies, the film won four Oscars, including Best Picture, and film buffs still regard it as one of the best British movies of all time. The movie is experiencing something of a revival: Its theme music and most notable scenes are being repurposed in advertisements and events related to the London 2012 Olympics.
Top 10 Summer Olympics Films
From biopics of athletes to on-the-track romances, TIME looks back on some of our favorite Olympic-themed movies