Chariots_of_Fire Chariots of Fire is a 1981 British film written by Colin Welland and directed by Hugh Hudson. It is based on the true story of British athletes preparing for and competing in the 1924 Summer Olympics. The film was nominated for seven Academy Awards and won four, including Best Picture.The title is a reference to the line, "Bring me my chariot of fire," from the William Blake poem adapted into the hymn Jerusalem.