I had recommended “Chariots of Fire” to my oldest nephew, the star athlete, some months back, but then I ended up getting him the DVD for Christmas. I was sort of apologetic about it – “The first half hour is kind of slow, but be patient, and I think you’ll like it.”

But I was actually about his age, a student at Oral Roberts University, when the movie came out and I saw it in the theater. I shouldn’t apologize for it – I really think he’ll enjoy it. My nephew is not only a fine athlete but a strong Christian, open about his faith, and I think he’ll really enjoy the story of Eric Liddell. As a college freshman, I think he’ll be able to relate to the scenes of Harold Abrahams and his classmates enjoying life at Oxford.

It’s one of my all-time favorite movies. I still remember how thrilled several of us were at ORU to see it win the Best Picture Oscar, shocking everyone by eclipsing the heavily-favored “Reds” and “On Golden Pond.” I don’t have it on DVD myself, but I have it saved on my DVR. I started watching it tonight, trying to see it through my nephew’s eyes. But that’s silly. He’ll either like it, or he won’t. I think he will, and (for the sake of the gift) hope he will, but everyone has their own tastes when it comes to things like movies.