 It reached #2 in Canada, #5 in the UK, #5 in Australia, and #6 in New Zealand.The opening theme of the film, called "Titles" on the album track listing but widely known as "Chariots of Fire", was released as a single; on the "Billboard" Hot 100 it reached #1 and stayed there for one week.The film's director, Hugh Hudson, chose Vangelis to compose the film's music, after becoming impressed with his albums "Opera Sauvage" and "China" and having worked with Vangelis on commercials in Paris during the 1970s.