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

brilliant!

This is sterling stuff. A charming film that all the family can watch. Jeremy Irons is really believable as the single father of Danny Smith. Together they hatch a plot to do down wealthy landowner Hazell, played excellently by Robbie Coltrane. It is Jeremy Iron's heartwarming performance that I enjoyed most however, and he works incredibly well with his son Samuel. Their relationship is a joy to watch. I've rarely seen a father and son relationship portrayed so touchingly on screen. Good supporting performances too, from Cyril Cusack and Jimmy Nail among others. I can't think of better actors who could have played the characters in the film. Also lovely music and views of the English countryside. The film is quite evocative of the time it was set in (1955). Great that it's coming out on Region 2 DVD, I think this film deserves more recognition as it definitely captured the spirit of the book.