Roald Dahl's Danny the Champion of the World (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

This film is adapted from a children's' novel by Roald Dahl . Lionel Jeffries (Mr. Snoddy) is better known for his role as Grandpa Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, the screenplay of which was adapted by Dahl from a children's' novel by Ian Fleming.

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Connections

Referenced in Danny and the Dirty Dog: The Making of 'Roald Dahl's Danny the Champion of the World' (1989)

User Reviews

Fabously feel-good stuff!

Some say it's a little overly sentimental and perhaps a little dated but to me this film ranks as one of the best family films going. Maybe it's the nostalgia of watching it as a child or how calm and wonderful village life looked to a young city slicker. It tells the story of Danny Smith and the life he lives as a mechanic's son whose home is a caravan. Jeremy Irons plays William Smith, a widower who raises his son a bit more unconventionally than most

SPOILERS

The plot is set around the Smiths' struggle against a greedy baron who wants the land that the garage sits on. After a few confrontations - one which ends up with the plucky Danny going after his father when he doesn't return from his midnight poaching - They come up with quite an ingenious idea to rid the village of the baron once and for all.

I can't praise this film enough, it's a perfect coming-of-age tale with a wonderful portrayal of a love between father and son. All he more charming when the leads are played by Jeremy and Samuel Irons. It's endearing and delightful to watch - Make sure you see it!