A new digitally remastered version of Chariots of Fire is being re-released in the cinemas in July and Damaris Trust is creating official resources to help churches make the most of this national cinematic treasure.

The 1981 hit movie tells the inspiring true story of Eric Liddell, Harold Abrahams and the Olympic team of 1924, who brought Britain one of its greatest sporting victories.

Liddell was driven by his faith and famously refused to race on a Sunday. After his Olympic win, Liddell abandoned the world of athletics to become a missionary in China, where he would die two decades later in a Japanese internment camp.

Chariots of Fire won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

It will be back in cinema screens from 13 July as an official part of the London 2012 celebrations.

Krish Kandiah, mission director at the Evangelical Alliance, said the film was a "brilliant opportunity to show that the good news of Jesus gives a reason to live beyond earthly success".

The resources include the Chariots of Fire Taster, a one-minute introduction to some of the key themes in the movie, and Tools for Talks - free access illustrations using clips from the film to enable church leaders and others to speak about each of the three issues in their sermons and talks.

There are also resources for schools. Two free-access assemblies and an RE lesson for secondary school students also use clips to explore life issues raised by the film.

Special videos will look at what happened to Liddell after the Olympics and explore the themes of passion and trust.


On the web: www.damaris.org/chariots