Danny the Champion of the World

1989
6.7| 1h39m| en| More Info
Released: 29 April 1989 Released
Producted By: Portobello Pictures
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Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
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Synopsis

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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Reviews

Incannerax What a waste of my time!!!
Ameriatch One of the best films i have seen
Cassandra Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.
Wyatt There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.
jbk_1999 I revisited this film, having caught some of it on television not long after it's release. I was seeking a bit of charming nostalgia and wasn't disappointed.The storyline, quite faithfully enacting one of Dahls less fanciful but nonetheless entertaining novels means it has class in spades, and I feel the positive reviews this goes alongside give a good account of the film's merits.What I would add though is the feeling that this fim stands above many other Dahl adaptations because of the low-key way it was produced, acted and directed. We don't see any of the usual fantastical sequences found in more modern or big budget Dahls, instead we find a sweet little drama played out without fanfare, but with great sympathy toward both the characters and the original book. The headmaster is... masterful in his understatement, as are some of the other minor players, the Policeman too. It's not a gag fest and it's not syrupy or overly sentimental (I think the word 'charming' is the more appropriate adjective here). The pairing of real life father and son works too, and I was surprised to see the young Samuel Irons hasn't gone on to act further, as he showed promise here.Anyway, a thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining bit of understated British nostalgia. What's not to like?
TheLittleSongbird 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
Lee Eisenberg I saw "Danny the Champion of the World" in fifth grade right after we read Roald Dahl's novel. Portraying a widowed father and son resisting a developer's plan to expand his estate onto their property in rural England in 1955, the movie does a worthy job although it did change some things from the book. It made sense to have Jeremy Irons and his son play Samuel play father and son in the movie; as it was, I'd never heard of Jeremy Irons before watching this movie (and anyone who knows his movies knows that this was probably his most unusual role). It's also interesting now that I know that Victor Hazell was played by Robbie Coltrane, who more recently played Hagrid in the Harry Potter movies. All in all, a pretty good movie.
ultraviolet400 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.