Danny the Champion of the World

A guy who I know at college is in this film. Step forward, Sam Irons! I'm not going to eulogise him, though. His performance is quite wooden, unlike the rest of the cast: Cyril Cusack and Jeremy Irons were on great form for this movie, but the best thing about it it was Robbie Coltrane. Once a scene -stealer, always a scene stealer! So, I'm sorry all you Sam Irons fans! This one belongs to Robbie Coltrane. Jeremy Irons gives a good enough performance as Danny's dad: to an actor of his caliber, such a part is easy. What keeps the whole thing moving is the plot: the book was classic Dahl stuff, and the movie remains faithful. All in all, it is rather enjoyable, if a little dull. If only Haley Joel Osment could have played Danny! It wasn't to be....

This movie is listed as TV, yet in Austrlia it was shown in cinemas where I saw it with my family, The movie was true to the Roald Dahl book and was as enjoyable and whimsical, the acting and direction was what was needed for such a classic and I never felt let down or became conscious of the fact that I was watching a movie, but rather was taken away with the story , which is something I long for in movies. I would so enjoy seeing this again, it is in my psyche with such movies as "The railway children" and "The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe" of which all were British. If your a lover of children's literature and wish to be taken away by a wonderful and endearing movie with values not often contained in entertainment today, this movie is for you.

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