Skip to content ↓

DVD Review – The Story of Eric Liddell

Last month I posted a review of Pure Gold, a wonderful biography of Eric Liddell. Liddell is best known for being the subject of the biographical film Chariots of Fire which traced his rise to prominence in Scotland. Liddell refused to participate in the Olympic race he was favored to win because to do so he would have had to violate his beliefs about the Sabbath. He became a hero to the Scottish nation for winning another event, and a hero to Christians for standing firm in his faith.

The Story of Eric Liddell is a thee-part Day of Discovery television production that examines Liddell’s life. It is hosted by David McCasland who authored Pure Gold, is available in both DVD and VHS and clocks in at about ninety minutes in length. It is a chronological biography of Liddell, and like the book, focuses primarily on his life after he left the spotlight and began his mission work in China. Liddell is portrayed as a reluctant hero who much preferred solitude over celebration and who had little desire to be the center of attention.

The production features significant amounts of photographs of Liddell as well as the few surviving videos of his races. Most importantly, it features interviews with members of his family, including two of his daughters, and many of the men and women who knew him and who were taught by him. The viewer will even meet some women who were led to faith by Liddell’s loving witness to them.

This short series is professional and well-produced. It is a wonderful complement to McCasland’s book and stands as a thoughtful biography of a man who has inspired so many. I highly recommend this DVD and am confident it would make a strong addition to church, school, public or personal video library. It is available from Discovery House Publications.

RatingEvaluation
★★★Theology/Accuracy
It is more biography than theology, but the doctrine in the product is strong.
N/ASpecial Features
There are no special features.
★★★Uniqueness
The best video biography of Liddell I’ve seen.
★★Importance
Liddell is a man who continues to inspire even today.
Overall
A wonderful, highly-recommended production.
More About Ratings & Reviews

  • The Phrase that Altered My Thinking Forever

    This week the blog is sponsored by P&R Publishing and is written by Ralph Cunnington. Years ago, I stumbled repeatedly on an ancient phrase that altered my thinking forever.  Distinct yet inseparable. The first time I encountered this phrase was while studying the Council of Chalcedon’s description of the two natures of Christ. Soon after,…

  • Always Look for the Light

    Always Look for the Light

    For many years there was a little potted plant on our kitchen window sill, though I’ve long since forgotten the variety. Year after year that plant would put out a shoot and from the shoot would emerge a single flower. And I observed that no matter how I turned the pot, the flower would respond.…

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    A La Carte (March 18)

    A La Carte: God is good and does good—even in our pain / Dear bride and groom / Sin won’t comfort you / Worthy of the gospel / From self-sufficiency to trusting God’s people / The gods fight for our devotion / and more.

  • Confidence

    God Takes Us Into His Confidence

    Here is another Sunday devotional—a brief thought to orient your heart toward the Lord. God takes the initiative in establishing relationship by reaching out to helpless humanity. He reveals himself to the creatures he has made. But what does it mean for him to provide such revelation of himself? John Calvin began his Institutes by…

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    Weekend A La Carte (March 16)

    A La Carte: I believe in the death of Julius Caesar and the resurrection of Jesus Christ / Reasons students and pastors shouldn’t use ChatGPT / A 1.3 gigpixel photo of a supernova / What two raw vegans taught me about sharing Jesus / If we realize we’re undeserving, suddenly the world comes alive /…

  • Ask Pastor John

    Ask Pastor John

    I admit it: I felt a little skeptical about Ask Pastor John. To be fair, I feel skeptical about most books that begin in one medium before making the leap to another. Books based on sermons, for example, can often be pretty disappointing—a powerful sermon at a conference can make a bland chapter in a…