Champions [DVD]

Excellent movie would recommend.

John Hurt Is excellent, i remember Sir Bob Champion and Aldaniti both coming back from being written off to win the National, this movie is true and very moving.

I own the book,still have the video even though the player is long gone, and thought all my birthdays had come at once when i spotted the film on dvd.This has to be one of the saddest / happiest films ever. A true story depicting a brave man ( Bob Champion) and an even braver horse Aldaniti who between them beat all the odds to win the biggest horse race on earth the 1981 grand national.I have had the privilage of meeting both the stars of this true story on more than one occasion. Bob is still continuing his charity work for the Bob champion cancer trust. The only thing i recommend is buy some handkerchiefs you will need them i usually need them as the music starts. This film stars the fantastic John Hurt as Champion, Alison Steadmam plays his sister. Edward Woodward his boss, Jan Francis his girlfriend and Aldaniti of course played himself. A truly inspirational story and you dont need to be a horsse racing fan to love this film.

Really enjoyed this movie, feel good film.

Excellent true story of jockey Bob Champions difficult recovery from cancer/chemotherapy which did not stop his determination to recover and ride again but also win the Grand National.

I was a crowd extra at Chelteltenham Racecourse back in 1982 for a 5 day location shoot of the Champions film. Not having been to a race meeting before I was in two minds as to what to wear. Most of the professional extras from the Playhouse AM DRAM Theatre who were picked to "speak" had been supplied with the correct clothes, hats & binoculars etc. I turned up dressed in a tweed jacket & casual trousers + cameras. The other 300 extras all looked the part. I had a feint idea what the film was about, but was determined to meet John Hurt & Edward Woodward and get photos of them. My chance came when during a set-up shot in the Parade Ring as I strolled over to JH & EW who were chatting to each other and casually asked " May I have a "Head & Shoulders" shot? Both said, "No problem". "Which paper do you work for?", asked JH. "I'm a freelance", I nervously replied. "Excellent!", they both said. I got some nice shots of them. Later up in the stands I met the Director John Irvin and got a nice shot of him by one of the cameras. I was now "in his eye" and when a large crowd scene was being set-up in the parade ring, JI said-"That man at the back with the cameras-please come forward and stand next to John Hurt and pretend to take photos of him getting on his horse!" I was down there like a shot-much to the annoyance of the other extras, but I got some more money for those shots! So I later really got into the film story and told all my friends to see it as it was very moving and had some great horse racing sequences. Also it has some great soundtrack music and is a fitting epitaph to the late Edward Woodward who was a pleasure to work with-an absolute gentleman!

I vaguely remembered this film from years ago and am so glad I decided to get the DVD and watch it again. There's some famous names that turn up as it's an old film and of course John Hurt was brilliant. It's actually aged well and anyone who loves horses, and a good story, will enjoy this.

I was 7 years old when I saw Bob champions race in the 1981 Grand National. My dad had backed him to win, but I loved the movie ever sense. It always brings a tear to my eye with the great odds aldaniti and Bob chamipion had to overcome injury and cancer, and a true champion s story. I was saddened to hear aldaniti had passed away 3years later what a horse and what a jumper and what a jockey. John hurt r.I.p played the role bob very well.