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Champions

  • 1984
  • PG
  • 1h 46m
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
811
YOUR RATING
Champions (1984)
BiographyDramaRomanceSport

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 Gr... Read allA 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 steeplechase on the horse Aldaniti.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 steeplechase on the horse Aldaniti.

  • Director
    • John Irvin
  • Writers
    • Bob Champion
    • Jonathan Powell
    • Evan Jones
  • Stars
    • John Hurt
    • Gregory Jones
    • Mick Dillon
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.5/10
    811
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • John Irvin
    • Writers
      • Bob Champion
      • Jonathan Powell
      • Evan Jones
    • Stars
      • John Hurt
      • Gregory Jones
      • Mick Dillon
    • 17User reviews
    • 6Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 1 nomination total

    Photos16

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    Top cast42

    Edit
    John Hurt
    John Hurt
    • Bob Champion
    Gregory Jones
    Gregory Jones
    • Peter
    Mick Dillon
    Mick Dillon
    • Snowy
    Ann Bell
    • Valda Embiricos
    Jan Francis
    Jan Francis
    • Jo Beswick
    Peter Barkworth
    Peter Barkworth
    • Nick Embiricos
    Edward Woodward
    Edward Woodward
    • Josh Gifford
    Ben Johnson
    Ben Johnson
    • Burly Cocks
    Kirstie Alley
    Kirstie Alley
    • Barbara
    Alison Steadman
    Alison Steadman
    • Mary Hussey
    Jonathan Newth
    Jonathan Newth
    • Mr. Griffith Jones
    Ceri Jackson
    • 1st Nurse
    Francesca Brill
    • 2nd Nurse
    Andrew Wilde
    Andrew Wilde
    • Graham
    Judy Parfitt
    Judy Parfitt
    • Dr. Merrow
    Carolyn Pickles
    Carolyn Pickles
    • Sally
    Andrew Fell
    • Doctor
    Fiona Victory
    Fiona Victory
    • Helen
    • Director
      • John Irvin
    • Writers
      • Bob Champion
      • Jonathan Powell
      • Evan Jones
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews17

    6.5811
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    Featured reviews

    6bre62

    Tear jerker par-excellence

    Whilst this film sticks mostly to the 'disease of the week' formulae of American TV-movies, it does contain, for me, one of the most moving scenes in cinema history. Check out the scene at the children's ward and make sure you have a box of tissues handy.
    spiritranch

    Rave

    Even if you are not a horse fancier, CHAMPIONS is a movie to be seen, savored, and collected. A classic about the indomitable human spirit. Grounded in fact, the movie involves you in an arcane sport and in the life of two of its passionate followers. Somebody out there...re-release this! Please.
    6webstercharlotte

    Sadly does not do justice at all to what was a truly remarkable story.

    Champions could and should have been a superb film had it been true to its story and not rushed and aimed towards having US audience appeal. It would have appealed to everyone - horse-racing fans or just average movie audiences alike but it was too quick and keen to make the most of the success story whilst it was still in everyone's mind but then again it is was made by Ladbrokes.

    As a horse-mad kid I loved this film for its opening shot and music and the dramatic climax being the 1981 Grand National even feeling genuine flutters of nerves as Bob (John Hurt) was weighing in and gearing up to ride the race of his life.

    Didn't care for much in-between other than seeing Bob's harrowing but touching transformation as he battles cancer which takes him from resignation and almost bitter resentment to finding strength, courage and determination after children make him realise he either fights for himself and Aldaniti or gives up on them both.

    As an adult I have even less time and respect for anything other than its respectful tribute to the strength, courage and determination of those with cancer, the fact John Hurt actually rode Aldaniti (aged 44 over fences as an amateur which is no easy task) and for its beautiful score.

    Aldaniti and Bob Champion had been a successful paring until leg injury put Aldaniti out and off the track for over a year which for most horses would have been the end to his racing career if not his life given the difficulties in treating that level of injury. However the owner's promise to keep persevering and treating Aldaniti was more to help motivate Bob who was at this time undergoing gruelling chemotherapy with the end goal "If you recover - you can ride him in the National" being something of a carrot on a stick nobody realistically expected either to see.

    The Grand National is run over four miles with 30 fences to jump some of which have since been modified for safety but in the 70's and 80's they were notorious and often fatal. I was a competitive rider for years and would hurtle around XC courses and steam over fences in open team chase events like a lunatic but even I knew then the madness in going that distance, over so many fences with so many horses going over with you so tightly bunched in together during the National.

    The year before Bob and Aldaniti won, only four horses managed to finish the race which gives some idea as to how difficult and gruelling it is.

    I understand Ladbrokes and Embassy must have almost peed their pants when given the rights to this movie especially as one about "Red Rum" was still off the cards but it shows. A sultry Kirstie Alley is thrown in briefly for the "Wit-Woo" factor wearing tight top, jhods, shiny riding boots and her hair and make up done beautifully.

    It feels generic and cliché and some real and genuine reflection, explanation and focus could have been on emphasising exactly what the Grand National is and what is involved in just getting to and completing the most gruelling steeplechase in British racing let alone winning.

    I'm giving this a 6/10 because it does have some superb shots, because John Hurt actually rode Aldaniti in his 40's, because it's a true story and a brilliant one and because of the beautiful score by Carl Davis.

    Would love to see this remade at some point but with time, care, patience and full due respect given to this legendary team both of whom have since been lost.

    Just don't give it to Randox or Disney...
    norniron

    The most amazing story from the most amazing race

    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.
    8jerryllintz2

    One of the best horseracing movies ever-4 stars

    I saw this film years ago when it was on cable for a short time and have been looking for a copy since. This movie is one of these sports movies that will have you yelling/pounding the arm of your chair/crying by the end,(think HOOSIERS/ROCKY).The track sequences are so realistic, you'll wonder how they could do them safely. The fact that the story is true is only one of it's great strengths. John Hurt does another of his (sadly underappreciated) great performances. All in all, a movie that is worth hunting down. I'm thinking that this film and the new SEABISCUIT would be a great 1-2 pick... now if I could just find a suitable third for a parley.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • 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.
    • Goofs
      At the start of the film, Bob Champion and Aldaniti are seen winning a race at Chepstow racecourse. Aldaniti never raced at Chepstow.
    • Quotes

      Bob Champion: There are different sorts of courage. Fighting is the lion's courage, but running is the courage of a horse. Running and jumping. A horse will do anything for you, if he's genuine and he loves you.

    • Alternate versions
      ABC edited 20 minutes from this film for its 1987 network television premiere.
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Where the Boys Are/Iceman/Champions/Kirov (1984)
    • Soundtracks
      Sometimes
      Music by Carl Davis

      Lyric by Norman Newell

      Sung by Elaine Paige

      (Deleted from general release print)

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    FAQ16

    • How long is Champions?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 20, 1984 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Sein größter Sieg
    • Filming locations
      • England, UK
    • Production companies
      • Archerwest
      • Ladbroke
      • United British Artists (UBA)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $200,498
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $54,262
      • Apr 22, 1984
    • Gross worldwide
      • $200,498
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 46m(106 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.78 : 1

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