Deliberate mistake: When we first see Eric Lidell, it is 1920 and he has just returned from China to his homeland of Scotland. Eric would've been 18 years old in 1920. Ian Charleson, who was 31 at the time the film was made, looks his own age.
Chariots of Fire (1981)
1 deliberate mistake - chronological order
Directed by: Hugh Hudson
Starring: Ian Holm, Ben Cross, Nicholas Farrell, Nigel Havers, Ian Charleson
Factual error: Another flag gaffe: The Canadian flag in the 1920s was either the red ensign or the Union Jack. The Maple Leaf only became the national flag in 1965.
Lord Birkenhead: Liddell, he is your future king, are you refusing to shake his hand? Does your arrogance extend that far?
Eric Liddell: My arrogance, sir, extends just as far as my conscience demands.
Lord Birkenhead: Fine, then let's hope that is wise enough to give you room to maneuver.
Trivia: The wonderful soundtrack to this movie topped the US Billboard charts and won the academy award too.