Continuity mistake: When Eric Liddell is approaching the end of the Olympic 400 metre race the camera cuts away for reaction shots of those watching and responding to his approaching victory. The close-up shot of Harold Abrahams is taken from earlier in the film when Harold was reacting to his own defeat by Eric. You can see at the bottom of the frame that Harold is wearing a tweed jacket and not the blue official blazer of the British team which he would have been wearing while viewing Eric's race.
Chariots of Fire (1981)
Ending / spoiler
Directed by: Hugh Hudson
Starring: Ian Holm, Ben Cross, Nicholas Farrell, Nigel Havers, Ian Charleson
Harold Abrahams (Ben Cross) wins the 100 meter dash and Eric Liddell (Ian Charleson) wins the 400 meter race. Back in the present day (1978), Aubrey Montague (Nicholas Farrell) and Andrew Lindsay (Nigel Havers) leave the church where Harold's funeral mass is being held. Harold Abrahams married Sybil and became Elder Statesman of British Athletics. Eric Liddell died in China at the end of World War II and all Scotland mourned his death.
Chris
More mistakes in Chariots of Fire
Master of Trinity: ...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 to us summon up face after face full of honesty and goodness, zeal and vigor.
Trivia: Eric's sister Jenny was in China at this time. She adored her brother and did not try to discourage him. She was put in the film to represent Eric's conscience.
Join the mailing list
Separate from membership, this is to get updates about mistakes in recent releases. Addresses are not passed on to any third party, and are used solely for direct communication from this site. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Check out the mistake & trivia books, on Kindle and in paperback.