The drama was moving. Hard not to tear up at a few scenes. The story follows the latter years of the real - life character Eric Liddlel (Liddell?), the world-famous Olympian runner many know by the "Chariots of Fire" movie. After winning the gold for his native Scotland, he gave up fame/fortune to move to the China he was born in to serve there.
Eric Liddel was an amazing man and I've read several books on him. He stands out not only for his athletic feats but for his exemplary character. He truly lived to serve and had a rare humility, especially rare given the fact that he accomplished feats that earned world recognition. For conveying a remarkable and humble man, I'd give the story 10/10.
Where this fell short for me was more in what this DIDN'T show - it was as if some one took the core of who Eric Liddel was and shoved that to the side, focusing on some of the externals but missing almost entirely what motivated this great man. Yes, Eric was humble, yes, he was self-sacrificing, yes he cared deeply for others. But when one reads about him, one gets the very strong sense that Eric's humility, self-sacrificing character and deep care all stemmed from his knowledge of One with even greater humility, self-sacrifice and love. This movie in my view only gave the barest glance at Eric's faith rendering it mostly rituals.
Again, the drama was moving and it is worth seeing,but hopefully spurs one to probe deeper into the life and motivation of the man it depicts.
Eric Liddel was an amazing man and I've read several books on him. He stands out not only for his athletic feats but for his exemplary character. He truly lived to serve and had a rare humility, especially rare given the fact that he accomplished feats that earned world recognition. For conveying a remarkable and humble man, I'd give the story 10/10.
Where this fell short for me was more in what this DIDN'T show - it was as if some one took the core of who Eric Liddel was and shoved that to the side, focusing on some of the externals but missing almost entirely what motivated this great man. Yes, Eric was humble, yes, he was self-sacrificing, yes he cared deeply for others. But when one reads about him, one gets the very strong sense that Eric's humility, self-sacrificing character and deep care all stemmed from his knowledge of One with even greater humility, self-sacrifice and love. This movie in my view only gave the barest glance at Eric's faith rendering it mostly rituals.
Again, the drama was moving and it is worth seeing,but hopefully spurs one to probe deeper into the life and motivation of the man it depicts.