Les Ailes de la Victoire

I would like to be the first person to review this movie, given that IMDb is a wonderful platform that i always visit.

This is a semi-biographical story about Eric Liddell, the runner in the Chariots of Fire. It centred on his last days spent in China during the Second World War. As the HK director Jacky Shin lacked the promotional funding, his feat is all the more commendable, having spent ten years on investigative research; even going thru the pains of interviewing survivors from the War. He lacked promotional funds, so the showtimes were short. That said, this movie was built on an extremely concrete plot. Although it would not build towards a climatic ending like most Hollywood movies, it remained an extremely high quality movie to capture the audience.

First, the wonderful script was supported by sturdy acting from Fiennes, and also the supporting cast. Although at times, i found it a bit too tear jerking, the movie remained captivating as this icon was larger than life. This movie transcends creed, nationality nor religion as it centres on the boundless themes of love, hope and humanity. One just marvels at the courage he faces under suffering and tyranny. One can also share in the sheer joy of victory and determination.

One more credit goes to the soundtrack by Chris Babida. The sacred hymns were interspersed with original soundtrack sung by HK singer Francis Yip. Her singing blended neatly with the opening as well as the closing. Even after the movie ends, her angelic voice continued to resonate in one's ears. During the race, the original soundtrack managed to capture the audience with gripping focus, none less successful than Vangelis was for Chariots of Fire.

i don't believe many people would have seen or have planned to see this film, but i'm sure it should not be disappointing. Having seen so many bad films in 2016, this is refreshing indeed and a salute to HK Director. Every Chinese should go see it and pay tribute to this man who gave his life for China.

I was excited to find out that Liddell's life post-Olympics had been made into a movie Thinking that his family had found a way to have this part of his life told. But about halfway through the movie I began to wonder how the Chinese had managed to so influence the story and apparently it was just a Chinese-interest story from the start.

Yes, it's pleasant enough to watch, in the same way that Ip Man is pleasant. But you'll find a lot of parallels, and that's not by accident! For those who believe this is the story of Eric Liddell's life, ask yourself how many times "Christ" is mentioned in the film. My wife and I could not remember a single time. Nor was the gospel seen. There were a few bible verses, generally thrown at the Japanese to condemn them. Nothing that I could recall from the New Testament. There is far, far more of Liddell's faith presented in Chariots of Fire, and I expected it to be the other way around.

The movie is fine for all the things that I normally would want to see in a movie. Acting, script, etc., no complaints here.

We had to drive 1.5 hours to see this film, as it was only in one theater in our state. The drive was totally worth it!!! On Wings of Eagles is a very high quality film, with production value, sets, acting, and special effects that could compare to most Hollywood flicks. Joseph Fiennes' performance was very strong and believable. His acting talent carried this film, just as it did in Risen. The story is very moving and inspiring, and is a great sequel to Chariots of Fire. I was very excited to see this on the big screen and hope that many people will be inspired by it. Several scenes with blood give it its' PG-13 rating, but the violence is not disturbing or overly graphic. This is a great film that is worth watching! My rating: Excellent!!!

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.

This film picks up where "Chariots of Fire" (1981) leaves off with the Olympic champion Eric Liddell (Joseph Fiennes) now a missionary in the land of his birth - now war-torn - China. When the Japanese invade, he is initially fêted - well fed and looked after, but that is all part of the ultimate game of humiliation as he is basically being groomed for a race against "Xu Niu" (Shawn Dou). This is quite an interesting depiction of just how this man's Christian faith and sense of decency were pitched against the ruthlessness of his captors who used both physical and psychological methods to reduce their captives to jelly. Whilst this certainly hints at those atrocities, the whole look and feel of the film is just a little sterile and Fiennes isn't really up to much in the lead. Somehow his strength of faith and purpose is lost in a really mediocre production that never quite gets going properly. Based in fact, it does offer us a truth about the truly shameful ending for this man of principle, but perhaps a remake with a better cast, writing and more vision from a director who understands how to better deliver a story of a complex individual would leave us feeling better fulfilled. Watchable, but forgettable I am afraid.