Hudson brought an ad-man’s eye to the brilliant 1981 drama about athletics and bigotry, as well as directing the hilarious Cinzano commercials
As the 1980s dawned, British ad director Hugh Hudson took on his first feature film and made it a legendary hit: an inspirational story which supplied a sugar-rush of patriotism and a swoon of nostalgia which hit the spot both sides of the Atlantic. It somehow brought off the trick of being about the underdog and the victim of bigotry and religious discrimination – and yet also being a resounding endorsement of the status quo which could, on grounds of decency and meritocracy, always accommodate the outsider. This was the era of Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan, and the ethos of success for the hardworking and the deserving.
The film of course was Chariots of Fire, the true story of the 1924 Olympic runners Harold Abrahams (played by Ben Cross...
As the 1980s dawned, British ad director Hugh Hudson took on his first feature film and made it a legendary hit: an inspirational story which supplied a sugar-rush of patriotism and a swoon of nostalgia which hit the spot both sides of the Atlantic. It somehow brought off the trick of being about the underdog and the victim of bigotry and religious discrimination – and yet also being a resounding endorsement of the status quo which could, on grounds of decency and meritocracy, always accommodate the outsider. This was the era of Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan, and the ethos of success for the hardworking and the deserving.
The film of course was Chariots of Fire, the true story of the 1924 Olympic runners Harold Abrahams (played by Ben Cross...
- 2/11/2023
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
Hugh Hudson, director of the Oscar-winning classic "Chariots of Fire," has passed away at the age of 86. According to a statement released by his family, Hudson "died at Charing Cross hospital on 10 February after a short illness. He is survived by his wife, Maryam, his son, Thomas, and his first wife, Sue."
Hudson's fact-based drama about British runners Harold Abrahams (Ben Cross) and Eric Liddell (Ian Charleston) was a surprise critical and commercial smash in 1981, earning four Academy Awards (including Best Picture) and out-grossing splashy studio releases like "For Your Eyes Only" and "Clash of the Titans." The film became a pop cultural phenomenon due in part to Vangelis' main theme, which topped the Billboard Hot 100 for one week in 1982 and inspired parodies in films like "Mr. Mom" and "National Lampoon's Vacation." But despite its staid period setting and deliberately paced narrative, Hudson's movie touched the hearts of moviegoers all...
Hudson's fact-based drama about British runners Harold Abrahams (Ben Cross) and Eric Liddell (Ian Charleston) was a surprise critical and commercial smash in 1981, earning four Academy Awards (including Best Picture) and out-grossing splashy studio releases like "For Your Eyes Only" and "Clash of the Titans." The film became a pop cultural phenomenon due in part to Vangelis' main theme, which topped the Billboard Hot 100 for one week in 1982 and inspired parodies in films like "Mr. Mom" and "National Lampoon's Vacation." But despite its staid period setting and deliberately paced narrative, Hudson's movie touched the hearts of moviegoers all...
- 2/10/2023
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
Hugh Hudson, who came from the worlds of documentaries and advertising to make his feature directing debut on the stirring Oscar best picture winner Chariots of Fire, one of the most admired British films ever made, has died. He was 86.
Hudson died Friday at Charing Cross hospital in London after a short illness, his family told The Guardian newspaper.
Hudson helmed just seven features during his career. After earning an Oscar nomination for his 1981 masterpiece, he followed with the highly regarded Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes (1984). Starring Christopher Lambert, it was the first Tarzan feature to receive an Oscar nom (it landed three).
Up next for Hudson, however, was Revolution (1985), which starred Al Pacino as a fur trapper thrust into the American Revolutionary War. Made for a reported 28 million, it was a major bust, grossing just 350,000 in the U.S. Critics hammered Pacino, who left acting for about four years,...
Hudson died Friday at Charing Cross hospital in London after a short illness, his family told The Guardian newspaper.
Hudson helmed just seven features during his career. After earning an Oscar nomination for his 1981 masterpiece, he followed with the highly regarded Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes (1984). Starring Christopher Lambert, it was the first Tarzan feature to receive an Oscar nom (it landed three).
Up next for Hudson, however, was Revolution (1985), which starred Al Pacino as a fur trapper thrust into the American Revolutionary War. Made for a reported 28 million, it was a major bust, grossing just 350,000 in the U.S. Critics hammered Pacino, who left acting for about four years,...
- 2/10/2023
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The new president adores the British classic, even referencing it in his victory speech. Creators including Hugh Hudson, David Puttnam, Nigel Havers, Nicholas Farrell and Stephen Fry applaud his choice – and his appointment
Last November, David Puttnam received a mysterious phone call. It was a tip-off from someone in the White House transition team. “They said: ‘We just thought you’d like to know that he’s referenced it again.’”
Joe Biden first cited Chariots of Fire – the stirring story of Scottish sprinting champion Eric Liddell and Jewish gold medallist Harold Abrahams that producer Puttnam ushered to Oscar glory in 1982 – as his favourite film during the vice presidential race in 2008. “Someone put personal fame and glory behind principles,” he said. “That, to me, is the mark of real heroism.”...
Last November, David Puttnam received a mysterious phone call. It was a tip-off from someone in the White House transition team. “They said: ‘We just thought you’d like to know that he’s referenced it again.’”
Joe Biden first cited Chariots of Fire – the stirring story of Scottish sprinting champion Eric Liddell and Jewish gold medallist Harold Abrahams that producer Puttnam ushered to Oscar glory in 1982 – as his favourite film during the vice presidential race in 2008. “Someone put personal fame and glory behind principles,” he said. “That, to me, is the mark of real heroism.”...
- 1/22/2021
- by Catherine Shoard
- The Guardian - Film News
Ben Cross, best known for his portrayal of British Olympic athlete Harold Abrahams in “Chariots of Fire” and Sarek in the 2009 “Star Trek” reboot, died on Aug. 18. He was 72.
Cross wrapped his last role as Cardinal Mathews in Lionsgate’s “The Devil’s Light” ten days ago. The veteran screen and stage star died Tuesday in Vienna following a short illness, his agent Ed Smith confirmed to Variety.
Cross was born Harry Bernard Cross in London in 1947. He began acting at a young age, participating in grammar school productions, but left school to work as a window cleaner, waiter and carpenter.
His career took a turn at age 22, when he was accepted into London’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. Cross graduated with the acting school’s prestigious Vanbrugh prize for performance of the year and made his screen debut on a 1976 World War II thriller “A Bridge Too Far.”
His...
Cross wrapped his last role as Cardinal Mathews in Lionsgate’s “The Devil’s Light” ten days ago. The veteran screen and stage star died Tuesday in Vienna following a short illness, his agent Ed Smith confirmed to Variety.
Cross was born Harry Bernard Cross in London in 1947. He began acting at a young age, participating in grammar school productions, but left school to work as a window cleaner, waiter and carpenter.
His career took a turn at age 22, when he was accepted into London’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. Cross graduated with the acting school’s prestigious Vanbrugh prize for performance of the year and made his screen debut on a 1976 World War II thriller “A Bridge Too Far.”
His...
- 8/18/2020
- by Janet W. Lee
- Variety Film + TV
Ben Cross, the English actor known for his powerhouse performance as the British Olympic athlete Harold Abrahams for director Hugh Hudson's Chariots Of Fire, has passed away at 72. Word of Cross' death had reached the masses not long after the star of stage and screen had passed away in Vienna on Tuesday morning. In addition to his inspirational role for Chariots,…...
- 8/18/2020
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
English actor Ben Cross, best known for playing British Olympic athlete Harold Abrahams in the 1981 Oscar-winning “Chariots Of Fire” and Sarek in the 2009 “Star Trek” reboot has died at 72 in Vienna, according to a report in the Austrian Newspaper, der Kurier. The newspaper said he had been diagnosed with cancer and was in Vienna for treatment.
Cross also starred as the villainous Prince Malagant in 1995’s “First Knight” opposite Richard Gere, Sean Connery, and Julia Ormond.
Born in London in 1947, his credits include “Great Expectations” (1947), “Turbulence” (1997) and “Die Bibel – Salomon” (1997), as well as “Chariots of Fire,” which won Best Picture at the Oscars in 1982. Based on the story of two British track athletes who compete in the 1924 Olympics, Cross starred in the Oscar winning film alongside Ian Holm, and John Gielgud.
Also Read: Noah Hawley's 'Star Trek' Put on Hold at Paramount
“I had the great privilege...
Cross also starred as the villainous Prince Malagant in 1995’s “First Knight” opposite Richard Gere, Sean Connery, and Julia Ormond.
Born in London in 1947, his credits include “Great Expectations” (1947), “Turbulence” (1997) and “Die Bibel – Salomon” (1997), as well as “Chariots of Fire,” which won Best Picture at the Oscars in 1982. Based on the story of two British track athletes who compete in the 1924 Olympics, Cross starred in the Oscar winning film alongside Ian Holm, and John Gielgud.
Also Read: Noah Hawley's 'Star Trek' Put on Hold at Paramount
“I had the great privilege...
- 8/18/2020
- by Umberto Gonzalez and Beatrice Verhoeven
- The Wrap
Ben Cross, the English actor best known for his portrayal of the British Olympic athlete Harold Abrahams in the 1981 Best Picture Oscar winner Chariots of Fire and as Sarek in the 2009 reboot Star Trek, died today in Vienna after a short illness. He was 72.
The veteran stage and screen star’s family confirmed the news to Deadline.
Cross was born Harry Bernard Cross in London in 1947 to a working-class family. He began acting at a young age, participating in grammar school plays, but left school to work as a window cleaner, waiter, joiner and carpenter before being accepted into London’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts at age 22. He excelled at Rada and won the acting school’s prestigious Vanbrugh Prize for performance of the year. He would go on to claim a string of key stage roles and made his big-screen debut on 1977 World War II epic A Bridge Too Far.
The veteran stage and screen star’s family confirmed the news to Deadline.
Cross was born Harry Bernard Cross in London in 1947 to a working-class family. He began acting at a young age, participating in grammar school plays, but left school to work as a window cleaner, waiter, joiner and carpenter before being accepted into London’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts at age 22. He excelled at Rada and won the acting school’s prestigious Vanbrugh Prize for performance of the year. He would go on to claim a string of key stage roles and made his big-screen debut on 1977 World War II epic A Bridge Too Far.
- 8/18/2020
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Ben Cross, who portrayed the gold medal-winning Olympic sprinter Harold Abrahams in the 1981 Oscar best picture winner Chariots of Fire, has died. He was 72.
Cross died Tuesday in Vienna of an unspecified illness, his daughter Lauren reported on Facebook.
“I am utterly heartbroken to share with you that my darling father died a few hours ago,” she wrote. “He had been sick for a while but there was a rapid decline over the past week.”
The London native, who studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts and was a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company,...
Cross died Tuesday in Vienna of an unspecified illness, his daughter Lauren reported on Facebook.
“I am utterly heartbroken to share with you that my darling father died a few hours ago,” she wrote. “He had been sick for a while but there was a rapid decline over the past week.”
The London native, who studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts and was a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company,...
- 8/18/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Ben Cross, who portrayed the gold medal-winning Olympic sprinter Harold Abrahams in the 1981 Oscar best picture winner Chariots of Fire, has died. He was 72.
Cross died Tuesday in Vienna of an unspecified illness, his daughter Lauren reported on Facebook.
“I am utterly heartbroken to share with you that my darling father died a few hours ago,” she wrote. “He had been sick for a while but there was a rapid decline over the past week.”
The London native, who studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts and was a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company,...
Cross died Tuesday in Vienna of an unspecified illness, his daughter Lauren reported on Facebook.
“I am utterly heartbroken to share with you that my darling father died a few hours ago,” she wrote. “He had been sick for a while but there was a rapid decline over the past week.”
The London native, who studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts and was a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company,...
- 8/18/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
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