Cambridge University has always existed in my distant dream. The kind of remoteness lies not only in space, but also in time, separated by centuries. The cloud of religious monarchy and the heaviness of academic thoughts are all wrapped in the dust of history, as small as I am isolated, the only way is the scroll of Xu Zhimo on the bookshelf, and his passionate and forbearing love. This isolation makes Cambridge an inspiration, which occasionally flashes in my dreams. She became the dream of my dreams.
Maybe it's too far, it's time to talk about that movie. I didn't know anything that night, but went to David's film elective class as usual. David is a foreign teacher at my university, and he became a good friend because of his love for movies. He is obliged to give an elective film class every week and play a film that he thinks is worth watching. The movie released that day was called "Chariots of Fire" (Chariots of Fire). According to him, it was a story about two young people running for different beliefs.
In the dark, the story begins. My heart trembled violently, and one of the young people turned out to be a freshman at Cambridge University! On the screen, the old-fashioned taxi he took was slowly driving through the old streets of Cambridge in 1919. That was my first glimpse of the face of Cambridge. I didn't know at the time that the spire building in the distant view was the iconic chapel of King's College. I don't even know what kind of graceful and beautiful Cambridge is hidden in the depths of the street and behind the wooden doors. I was just frightened. I watched those young people of my age wearing white tie dresses (White Tie) and black robes (Gown), their complexion dignified, sitting in the candlelight swaying hall, listening to the dean’s The preaching of honor, loyalty, dignity and tradition.
My ribs started to ache, and what I carried there was a recommendation form for applicants from the University of Cambridge. The Cambridge in the movie is so far away from my world, every marble face is inlaid with an outstanding name, but I am an ordinary girl. Could I really be able to sit at the long table where they sat? is it possible?
I never believed that a sports movie could be so good-looking. This is the only sports movie I love for a person who lacks sports cells. The Scottish missionary Eric Lidil and the Jewish youth Harold Abraham, one of them for the love of God, and the other for the hatred of the world that discriminates against the Jewish people, are all running desperately. However, what was tumbling in my mind at the time was only half of the story-Cambridge where Harold was in. During the two hours of watching the movie, I was struggling whether to give the recommendation form to David. That was really tormenting, how afraid I was to see a hint of ridicule in his eyes suggesting that I was overwhelmed. When I finally blushed and handed the paper up and looked up, I saw David's bright and kind eyes.
"Didn't Harold say just now? If you have a dream, you must have the courage to realize it." It was these words, this understanding gaze, that made me insist on realizing this seemingly out of reach dream. Before going to England, David gave me the gift that was precisely this "Chariot of Fire".
Every day I cycle through that old street in Cambridge. It is almost the same as it was more than 80 years ago. It is still St. Mary’s Church, or the setting sun shining on the Gothic chapel of King’s College, or the corner of the street. Ryder & Amies, a small shop that specializes in robe emblems. It's just that students don't have to wear black robes and walk around the street every day, and the college is no longer just a world of boys, or the colorful or delicate female students have become an indispensable sight in Cambridge for decades.
Harold and his good friend Aubrey met at Cambridge Railway Station, and the two took a taxi together because they were both students at Cavinkiss College. At the end of September of the previous year, my boyfriend and I dragged two heavy suitcases from London to take a long-distance bus. We were reluctant to pay for a car, and spent more than an hour on Dramar Street before we figured out which bus to get there. My college. The embarrassment and hard work of that day completely covered my mood to feel Cambridge. And the various chores that followed were even more upsetting. I made the most realistic efforts and struggles in the ivory tower where idealism should be realized most, for the heavy original works, and to understand the teachers and classmates in Southern accent. English, in order to buy cheaper vegetables and eggs, in order to identify which way one should go down in various attempts.
From my St. Edmund’s College to the department, I go back and forth every day through the most famous chain of Cambridge’s colleges, St. John’s College, Trinity College, Cavenkis College, King’s College, St. Catherine’s College, Peter’s College... …For a long time, I didn’t think about the scenery on the street. I was just complaining about how long the road was, praying not to rain, and calculating not to forget the appointments of the instructor and the homework after class. It was not until a long time later that I passed by these colleges and the breeze was blowing. I looked up at the silent statue on the gate of the college. Only then did I suddenly realize how happy I am actually and rub shoulders with these ancient souls every day. And pass.
Holy Trinity College didn't go until spring. I was busy adapting to life in the autumn, and couldn't bear to go in the bitter winter, for fear of misunderstanding her true face. So the days grew, waiting for a sunny afternoon, and finally quietly opened the crumbling wooden door and walked into the corridor of Trinity College. 84 years ago, Harold was here to challenge the "March One Dash" that had not been successful for 700 years. According to regulations, the challenger must run around the court for a week before the clock rings 24 times at 12 noon, that is, to run a full 380 yards in 43 seconds. His move attracted countless audiences, and even the dean secretly opened the window and looked out. With a high and a low bell, Harold and his friend Sir Andrew Lindsay rushed wildly and crossed the finish line before the clock rang 24. The audience boiled, cheers, joy, champagne, and people lifted Harold high like a triumphant hero. 84 years later, when I was standing in the corner of the corridor, on a sunny afternoon, the sun suddenly appeared, quiet and peaceful, I turned my head to listen carefully, but I couldn't hear the bells and cheers. I could only imagine, the enthusiasm of decades ago. .
In the summer, I traveled to Scotland for graduation. The other half of the movie, which I ignored, finally slowly opened its mysterious and lofty veil to me. Strolling on the vast highlands of Scotland, the northernmost tip of the British island nation, the sky is so low that it is almost connected to the earth, the green plateau is lonely, and the cold and quiet North Sea is underfoot with dark waves. I suddenly understood Eric in "Chariot of Fire". Only this kind of land can give birth to the deep and peaceful love of Eric.
Eric is a Scottish sprint hero, known as the "Scottish Trapeze". His and Harold's runs have very different connotations and meanings. Harold's goal is to defeat all opponents, for shame and honor. Therefore, his face was almost hideous when he raced, and his two sturdy eyebrows were kinked together, which was frightening. And Eric is running with infinite reverence and love for God. He is to surpass the limits of himself. Therefore, there is no opponent in his eyes, only the heaven and earth created by God. He always smiled when he raced, and his face was shrouded in sacred light, as if the power he burst out was not from himself, but from the grace of God. Others rushed on the high ground, the white and flawless soul soared in the air, and my heart became clear and clean.
Even if he was maliciously knocked out of the runway by his opponent in the match against France, Eric did not lose his courage. Amidst the sighs of the audience, the sprinter jumped up, chased by the wind, and crossed the finish line first. His explosive power, like a divine helper, shook me in front of the screen, shook the audience on the screen, and also shook Harold in the audience. The two male protagonists have a taste of meeting opponents and heroes, but Eric seems to be standing at a higher position, and Harold has to look up and pay attention. In the only contest between the two, Harold, who has never been undefeated, lost to Eric. After all, Harold was obsessed with the human struggle, and Eric’s eyes were shining with the brilliance cast by God.
Eric and Harold were also shortlisted for the 1924 Paris Olympic Games, which was the culmination of the soul struggle between the two young people. Harold faced a struggle with himself. He is desperate, giving everything, and pushing the speed to the limit, just to pursue this supreme honor. When the honor was close at hand, he was deeply afraid that if this effort was still not enough, he would be unable to shorten even one second, then he would face the most shameful failure. Eric fought to maintain the dignity of God. The 100-meter sprint he participated in was scheduled to be held on the Sabbath, which conflicted with the doctrine of the Bible. After a painful struggle, he firmly refused to play on Sunday. Neither national interests nor personal glory can shake his loyalty to God. In the end, it was their friend Andrew who generously surrendered his position in the 400m final and was replaced by Eric.
The director used heavy ink to enhance the tension before the 100-meter dash. Harold and the other contestants changed their clothes silently and looked solemn. They are the best sprinters in the world, yet everyone has their fears and doubts in their faces. I think it must be the same when I handed David the recommendation form for applying for Cambridge. We are all flesh and blood. There is one thing you want too much, but whether you have the courage and courage to pick it up depends on whether you can overcome this inner fear. A letter that coach Sam put in his suitcase saved Harold. He put on the necklace Sam gave him, his eyes became as firm as a torch, his arms spread out like a big bird, and his chest was the first to cross the finish line.
If Harold's game is a contest of hearts, then Eric's final battle is a solemn ceremony. 400 meters is not Eric's expertise, but for a person who runs for God, he has no doubts or fears and shook hands with each team member peacefully. There was soft joy in the audience, and no one doubted Eric's final victory, whether it was the audience or me. When sprinting, Eric raised his head and looked up at the sky with a pious and brilliant smile. He meditated verses praising God, as if he was bathing in the light of God and enjoying the highest gifts in the world. This is the most beautiful shot, and I burst into tears at that moment.
In the end, Harold won the Olympic men's 100-meter sprint champion, and Eric broke the men's 400-meter world record. Running can be so beautiful. Harold’s look is majestic, the ancient Greek sculpture-like face is like a god, Eric’s smile is refreshing, and his calm and clean face is like an angel.
There are comments that this film shows the spirit of competition and sports beliefs, but I think it doesn't stop there. The most touching charm of Harold and Eric lies in faith. Harold believes that he is born equal to all beings, and Eric believes that God bestows love and strength. Only with a firm belief can you be fearless and have the strength and courage to become a great warrior.
What about my faith? I believe in the eternal beauty that transcends knowledge, academics, and time, which made me finally reach the other side of Cambridge.
Whenever I feel confused and need to draw strength, I will revisit this movie.
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