Synopsis
Just as British jockey Bob Champion is in the middle of a vacation in Kentucky, he finds out he has cancer, and, like others before him, submits to the full, painful treatments of multiple injections and radiation, suffering as much or more from the cure as from the illness. Gaunt and nauseous, Champion also endures realistic meetings with his doctors who hold forth no guarantee of a cure. His eventual remission leads to yet another grueling physical schedule to get him back into shape for the Grand National Steeplechase.
Product Notes
John Hurt, Edward Woodward, Ann Bell. The power of the human spirit overcomes all in this true story of tragedy and triumph when 31-year-old jockey Bob Champion beats cancer and sickness to compete and win the Grand National Steeplechase. 1984/color/106 min/PG/fullscreen.
Product Reviews
John Hurt plays the British jockey Bob Champion in this true story of how Champion overcame cancer and the rigors of chemotherapy for an impressive personal and professional comeback. Just as Champion is in the middle of a vacation in Kentucky, he finds out he has cancer, and, like others before him, submits to the full, painful treatments of multiple injections and radiation, suffering as much or more from the cure as from the illness (these treatments are graphic). Gaunt and nauseous, Champion also endures realistic meetings with his doctors that hold forth no guarantee of a cure. His eventual remission leads to yet another grueling physical schedule to get him back into shape for the Grand National Steeplechase -- a 30-fence, well-publicized race that offers difficult hurdles for both the horses and their jockeys. If the 115-minutes running time of this film were cut in places, it would create a better, trim and slim, fast-paced telling of an even more focused tale. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi
Details
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Champions |
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Drama |
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29 May 2007 |
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John Hurt(Bob Champion), Edward Woodward(Josh Gifford), Jan Francis(Jo), Peter Barkworth(Nick Embiricos) |
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John Irvin |
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PG |
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DVD |
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21287 |
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012236212874 |
Technical Information 
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29 May 2007 |
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29 May 2007 |
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VIDMARK/TRIMARK ( VIDM ) |
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114 |
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1: USA, Canada |
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1.85:1 (Theatre Wide Screen), Color, Soft-Matted WSE for 16x9 TV |
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Closed Caption, English, Spanish |
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Dolby Digital Stereo, English |
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Discs:1 ~ Format:Ntsc ~ Region:1 |
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Alison Steadman(Mary Hussey), Andrew Wilde(Graham), Ann Bell(Valda Embiricos), Anthony Dawes(Fred), Antony Carrick(Ken), Ben Johnson(Burly Cocks), Carolyn Pickles(Sally), Ceri Jackson(Nurse), Edward Woodward(Josh Gifford), Edwin Richfield(Ashton), Fiona Victory(Helen), Fran Brill(2nd Nurse), Frank Mills(Charles), Gregory Jones(Peter), Hubert Rees(Bill/Hiawatha), Jan Francis(Jo), John Burke(Jockey Riding Double), John Hurt(Bob Champion), John Woodnut(Mr. Champion), Jonathan Newth(Mr. Griffith Jones), Judy Parfitt(Dr. Merrow), Julie Adams(Emma Hussey), Kirstie Alley(Barbara), Leonard Trolley(Steward), Mark Burns(Thorne), Mark Lambert(Sean), Michael Byrne(Richard Hussey), Mick Dillon(Snowy), Noel Dyson(Mrs. Champion), Peter Barkworth(Nick Embiricos), Richard Adams(Nicky Hussey), Richard Leech(Beck), Stephen Jenn(Bald Patient), Wendy Gifford(Althea) |
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Art Director:Roy Stannard, Cinematographer:Arthur Wooster, Cinematographer:Ronnie Taylor, Composer (Music Score):Carl Davis, Director:John Irvin, Producer:Peter Shaw, Screenwriter:Evan Jones, Screenwriter:Tony Kayden |
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