The true story of Bob Champion, a British steeple chase jockey who, in the late 1970s, was diagnosed with cancer. Rather than succumb to the disease, however, Bob stages a miraculous ...
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Title: Champions (1984)
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1 win & 1 nomination.
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| John Hurt | ... | Bob Champion | |
 |
Gregory Jones | ... | Peter |
| Mick Dillon | ... | Snowy | |
| Ann Bell | ... | Valda Embiricos | |
| Jan Francis | ... | Jo Beswick | |
| Peter Barkworth | ... | Nick Embiricos | |
| Edward Woodward | ... | Josh Gifford | |
| Ben Johnson | ... | Burly Cocks | |
| Kirstie Alley | ... | Barbara | |
| Alison Steadman | ... | Mary Hussey | |
| Jonathan Newth | ... | Mr. Griffith Jones | |
|
|
Ceri Jackson | ... | 1st Nurse |
|
|
Francesca Brill | ... | 2nd Nurse |
| Andrew Wilde | ... | Graham | |
| Judy Parfitt | ... | Dr. Merrow | |
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Plot Summary
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Storyline
The true story of Bob Champion, a British steeple chase jockey who, in the late 1970s, was diagnosed with cancer. Rather than succumb to the disease, however, Bob stages a miraculous recovery and goes on to win the 1981 Grand National steeple chase on the horse Aldaniti. Written by Jonathan Broxton <j.w.broxton@sheffield.ac.uk>
Plot Keywords:
horse movie | horse | one word title | horse racing | independent film |Taglines:
A true story [International]Parents Guide:
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Details
Country:
UKLanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
20 April 1984 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Bajnokok See more »Edit
Box Office
Opening Weekend USA:
$54,262, 22 April 1984Gross USA:
$200,498Cumulative Worldwide Gross:
$200,498Company Credits
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Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
DolbyColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.78 : 1
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Music by Carl Davis
Lyric by Norman Newell
Sung by Elaine Paige
(Deleted from general release print)
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
The lucky horseshoe, given to Champion (Sir John Hurt) by Jo (Jan Francis), and later carried in his boot during the Grand National, was the original one once worn by Bob Champion, who was an advisor on this movie. See more »Goofs
In the big race, the leading horse is shown to unseat its rider at the third fence (jockey with pink and black spots) A few minutes later, the same horse and jockey combination are back up with the pace. See more »Quotes
Josh Gifford: Whatever happens, however long it takes, you're my first jockey, and your job will stay open. That's a promise.See more »
Alternate Versions
ABC edited 20 minutes from this film for its 1987 network television premiere. See more »Soundtracks
SometimesMusic by Carl Davis
Lyric by Norman Newell
Sung by Elaine Paige
(Deleted from general release print)
See more »
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I've been to Aintree every year since 1977. I've seen Red Rum score an unbelievable third win, I've seen a National declared void after two false starts, a bomb scare stop the race and a pile up that left just two horses in the race. I've seen champion jockies try year after year to win and never even complete the course while a fifty-six year old grandmother gets round to finish fifth. This though is THE story. Bob Champion was finished as a jockey. His only fight should have been for his life. Aldaniti was finished as a race horse. Yet these two combined to make the impossible happen. John Hurt was perfect as Champion. I'm privileged to say that I was there to see this amazing climax to an amazing story.