The film, which won four Academy Awards in 1982, is widely regarded as the most successful Olympic themed feature film.

"Hugh Hudson, 86, beloved husband and father, died at Charing Cross Hospital on February 10 2023 after a short illness," a statement released by the family said. 

"I am beyond devastated that my great friend Hugh Hudson, who I have known for more than 45 years, has died," actor Nigel Havers told the Press Association news agency.

"Chariots of Fire was one of the greatest experiences of my professional life, and, like so many others, I owe much of what followed to him, I shall miss him greatly," added Havers, who played the aristocratic Lord Lindsay in the film.

In one of the most famous scenes, Havers is seen practising the hurdles with a glass of champagne perched on each barrier. 

The film was based on the real life Olympic endeavours of Harold Abrahams, who won the men’s 100 metres at the 1924 Paris Games and Eric Liddell who took gold in the 400 metres but famously refused to run on Sundays because of his religious convictions.

Athletic trials in a London park formed part of the auditions and Hudson specifically wanted lesser known actors for the principal roles.

"One of my main strategies was to have a main character you have never met before onscreen," he explained.

"If I put stars in it, the film would never have been successful, with unknown actors, you look at them afresh."

Abrahams was played by Ben Cross and Ian Charleson portrayed Liddell in the film.

The cast also included Sir John Gielgud and other senior figures from the British Theatre in supporting roles including Ian Holm and Nigel Davenport.

Hudson had been born in the Olympic year of 1936.

After military service, he worked in advertising before coming to the notice of Chariots of Fire Producer David Puttnam for his work directing television commercials and documentaries.

The movie was Hudson's feature film debut and featured a screenplay by Colin Welland.

The British Film Institute (BFI) described the picture as "one of the decade’s most controversial British films."

It is ranked 19th in the BFI listing of the top 100 British films.

It was nominated for seven Oscars, the four it did win included "Best Score" for the instantly recognisable music written by the Greek composer Vangelis who died in May last year.

Chariots of Fire was not Hudson's only film with a sporting theme.

He also directed Fangio una vita a 300 all ora, translated as Fangio, a life at 300 kilometres an hour, a documentary about the legendary Grand Prix driver Juan Manuel Fangio. 

Hudson is survived by his wife, actress Maryam D’Abo, who starred in Bond film "The Living Daylights" and his son Thomas.