GB
1981
2hrs 04mins
Dir: Hugh Hudson
Starring: Ben Cross and Ian Charleson
Two British track athletes, one a determined Jew and the other a devout Christian, compete in the 1924 Olympics
This factually-based historical drama features a railway scene towards the end. The triumphant return to England after the Olympics, with Liddell and Abrahams getting off the boat train, was filmed in the north bay of York station representing London Victoria. Preserved SE&CR D Class 4-4-0 No.737 and GNR C1 Class 4-4-2 No.251, both from the National Collection, were used as stationary locos with fake steam effects added. There is also one additional shot earlier in the movie of the Atlantic ‘arriving’ at York, representing on this occasion King’s Cross. Filming took place over the 19th and 20th June 1980.