Champions

1984
PG
1h 46m

IMDb RATING

6.5/10

779

YOUR RATING

Biography Drama Romance Sport

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.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.5/10

779

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 1 win & 1 nomination

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
The tiny silver horseshoe 'lucky charm' was not given to Bob Champion by Jo Beswick when she visited him in hospital. It was sent to him by a couple from Cheltenham, with instructions that he should carry it in the race.

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)

User reviews17

Review

Featured review

10/10

Brilliant

A wonderful movie, easily one of the best of the last 50 years. I would put it in the top 5 ever made. Great acting, production, script,drama,realness. Why this film didn't scoop all the awards in 1985 is beyond belief. I feel sorry for people who haven't seen this film. It is a beauty, and John Hurt is simply a genius. A knockout and a true story. Absolutely a magnificent film that I hope people rediscover. It is a story of a jockey and a horse who rise against incredibly difficult circumstances. A great feature of the film is the casting . Some films are cast badly, but this one gets it remits in every part. Though it was made in 85, some films age, but to this one. It is as relevant, raw and real as it was in 1985 and moves easily as a believable storyline in 2013.