Roald Dahl's Danny the Champion of the World (TV 1989)

Somewhere in England, in the Autumn of 1955, a widowed father and his son live an idyllic life together. Only their gas station happens to sit on a piece of land that a local developer ... See full summary »

Director:

Gavin Millar

Writers:

Roald Dahl (novel), John Goldsmith (screenplay)

Stars:

Jeremy Irons, Robbie Coltrane, Samuel Irons

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jeremy Irons	...	William Smith
Robbie Coltrane	...	Victor Hazell
Samuel Irons	...	Danny
Cyril Cusack	...	Doc Spencer
Michael Hordern	...	Lord Claybury
Lionel Jeffries	...	Mr. Snoddy
Jean Marsh	...	Miss Hunter
Jimmy Nail	...	Rabbetts
Ronald Pickup	...	Captain Lancaster
John Woodvine	...	Tallon
William Armstrong	...	Springer
Ceri Jackson	...	Mrs. Clipstone
James Walker	...	Vicar
Phil Nice	...	Postman
Anthony Collin	...	Wheeler

Storyline

Somewhere in England, in the Autumn of 1955, a widowed father and his son live an idyllic life together. Only their gas station happens to sit on a piece of land that a local developer wants to buy. And when he won't take no for an answer, and sets government inspectors and social works onto Danny and his father, Danny and his father decide to get even with Hazell and his pheasant- shooting friends in a manner in keeping with their own family tradition.

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Plot Keywords:

england | teacher | pheasant | school | shooting | 

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Genres:

Family | Adventure | Drama

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 April 1989 (USA)

Also Known As:

Daantje de wereldkampioen

Filming Locations:

Stonor Park, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Children's Film and Television Foundation (CFTVF), Portobello Pictures, Thames Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Samuel Irons (Danny) is the real life son of Jeremy Irons (William Smith) and grandson of Cyril Cusack (Doc Spencer). The idea to cast Samuel in the film was Jeremy's own idea. They had just finished acting together in a production of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', and Jeremy thought the experience of a film set would be good for Samuel.

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Connections

Referenced in The Wonderful World of Roald Dahl (2005)

User Reviews

Danny The Champion of the World was a great film!!!

I really liked this film, it is very charming, and one of the better Roald Dahl adaptations, Matilda being my favourite. I've read the book, and liked it very much as well, then again, I like anything by Roald Dahl. The film is slightly dated, though that can be forgiven very easily, as it's twenty or so years old. The scenes in the countryside were breathtaking though.

The screenplay was very good too, and the music was lovely. As for the performances, easily the best element of the movie, with Jeremy Irons and his son Samuel lighting up the screen in very charming performances as the father and son, and Robbie Coltrane a sheer delight as Lord Hazell. Fine support also from Michael Horden and Lionel Jeffries, and both of these men are fine actors, and Jeffries is just as impressive as a director, The Railway Children and the Amazing Mr Blunden spring to mind.

All in all, a great underrated film! 9/10 Bethany Cox