Chariots of Fire Page #7

You've come a long way.

I'm from Oxford, sir.

They wrote to me, said

as I was here, I might

as well take part.

PRINCE:

How economical. But can you run?

WATSON:
I'll give it a try, sir. PRINCE:

That's the spirit. Best of luck to you.

[CROWD APPLAUDING

AND CHATTERING]

- The royal benediction no less.

- Chap's invaluable.

- We couldn't do without him.

- Hear, hear. Henry V and all that.

- Let's go.

- Protocol, Monty. Protocol.

He's here to show us what may be done

and more essentially, what may not be.

- Jackson Scholz.

ERIC:
How do you do?

I'm Eric Liddell.

Well, we've heard a lot about you.

Good to meet you at last.

- Ah.

JACKSON:
Liddell. Excuse me.

I was afraid you weren't here.

I'm afraid I am, sir.

[CHUCKLES]

Fine. Do you good.

Take you out of yourself a bit.

The Prince of Wales

would like to meet you.

No. No.

No, sir. Wouldn't be right.

Liddell, he is your future king.

Are you refusing to shake his hand?

Does your arrogance extend that far?

My arrogance, sir, extends

just as far as my conscience demands.

Fine.

Then let's hope that's wise enough

to give you room for maneuver.

- All right, sir.

- Splendid.

I'll take you to him now.

Your Royal Highness,

may I present Mr. Eric Liddell.

Delighted, Liddell. Delighted.

I saw you play for Scotland.

It depressed me no end.

Ran in a couple of tries

from your own half, I remember.

I believe I did so, yes.

Nice to have you on the same side at last.

- Excellent effort of Lindsay's, you think?

- He did well, sir. Did indeed.

An example to us all.

Eric, may I introduce

His Grace the Duke of Sutherland...

- ...president of our Olympic Association.

- How do you do?

And our chairman, Lord Cadogan.

Have a seat.

Make yourself comfortable.

Cigar?

Oh, no, of course you don't. Nor drink.

Such is the resolution of the young man

you have before you, gentlemen.

Lord Birkenhead has advised us as to

your attitude towards your participation...

...in the 100-meters heats, Liddell.

Or would your non-participation

be more accurate?

It would, sir, yes.

DUKE:
We were consulted as to the correct

manner in which to approach the French.

Something we just

can't allow to happen...

...going cap-in-hand

to the Frogs of all people.

Simply out of the question.

Simple matter of national dignity, Liddell.

Being a patriot, I'm sure you understand.

Well, I must say, sir,

I felt it was an impractical suggestion.

BIRKENHEAD:

Why didn't you damn well say so, man?

As an athlete you value economy of effort.

I wanted to run.

I was desperate enough to try anything.

DUKE:

Well, all that being understood...

...we decided to invite you in

for a little chat...

...to see if there's any way

we can resolve the situation.

CADOGAN:
There's only one way

to resolve the situation.

That's for this man

to change his mind and run.

PRINCE:

Don't state the obvious, Cadogan.

We've to explore ways in which we can

help this young man to reach that decision.

ERIC:

I'm afraid there are no ways, sir.

I won't run on a Sabbath, and that's final.

I intended to confirm this

with Lord Birkenhead tonight...

...even before you called me up

in front of this inquisition.

Don't be impertinent.

The impertinence lies with those who seek

to influence a man to deny his beliefs.

BIRKENHEAD:

On the contrary, Liddell...

...we're appealing to your beliefs...

...in your country and your king.

Your loyalty to them.

Hear, hear. In my day, it was king first...

...God after.

Yes, and the war to end wars

bitterly proved your point.

God made countries. God makes kings...

...and the rules by which they govern.

And those rules say

that the Sabbath is his.

And I for one intend to keep it that way.

Mr. Liddell, you're a child of your race,

as I am.

We share a common heritage,

a common bond, a common loyalty.

There are times when we're asked

to make sacrifices...

...in the name of that loyalty.

Without them,

our allegiance is worthless.

As I see it, for you...

...this is such a time.

[SIGHS]

Sir...

...God knows I love my country.

But I can't make that sacrifice.

[DOOR RATTLING]

[KNOCKING ON DOOR]

BIRKENHEAD:

Come in.

Ahem.

Your Royal Highness, Lord Lindsay.

Your Highness,

Lord Cadogan, gentlemen.

I do apologize for barging in like this.

Fact is, I am fully aware

of Eric's dilemma...

...and I wondered if I could be so bold

as to suggest a possible solution.

CADOGAN:

Do.

Yes.

Another day, another race.

CADOGAN:

What the devil's that supposed to mean?

It's quite simple, sir. The 400 meters.

It's on Thursday.

I've already got my medal.

So why don't you let Eric

take my place in the quarter?

DUKE:

I think that's a splendid idea.

Can we allow him to change events

at such short notice?

That's a matter for the committee.

We are the committee.

I think it's a very good idea. David?

All those in favor, say aye.

MEN:

Aye.

PRINCE:

Liddell.

A pleasure, old chap...

...just to see you run.

Aye. Heh.

PRINCE:

Well, that's settled.

[SIGHS]

- A sticky moment, George.

- Hmm.

Thank God for Lindsay.

I thought the lad had us beaten.

He did have us beaten, F.E.,

and thank God he did.

- I don't quite follow you.

- Well, the lad, as you call him...

...is a true man of principle,

and a true athlete.

His speed is a mere extension

of his life, its force.

We sought to sever

his running from himself.

For his country's sake, yes.

No sake is worth that, F.E.,

least of all a guilty national pride.

"Lindsay makes way for Liddell.

Four hundred meters for defecting Scot.

'Smacks of fanaticism, ' says official.

'Man of principle, ' says primate.

'We should be proud."'

[CHEERING OUTSIDE]

So that's the Olympic stadium?

That's it, Sam.

It's as good as being in there, isn't it?

Better. Seeing as I'm persona non grata.

Yeah.

It's tiptop, Mr. Abrahams.

You've done a grand job.

If we don't win now we never will.

Have I got everything, Sam,

everything you need?

Ah...

Yes.

All we need now is Sunday.

[BIRDS CHIRPING]

[DOG BARKING]

ERIC:
My text this afternoon

is taken from Isaiah, Chapter 40.

"Behold...

...the nations are as a drop in a bucket...

...and are counted as the small dust

in the balance.

All nations before him are as nothing.

They are counted to him

less than nothing...

...and vanity.

He bringeth the princes to nothing.

He maketh

the judges of the earth as a vanity.

Hast thou not known?

Hast thou not heard...

...that the everlasting God, the Lord...

...the creator of the ends of the earth...

...fainteth not, neither is weary?"

Juvenile.

[SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY]

I know, Sam.

"He giveth power to the faint.

And to them that have no strength...

...he increaseth might.

But they that wait upon the Lord...

...shall renew their strength.

They shall mount up...

...with wings as eagles.

They shall run...

...and not be weary.

They shall walk...

...and not faint."

[PANTING]

HAROLD:
Do you remember when we first

bumped into each other, old man?

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