CHAMPIONS

UK, 1984, 106 minutes, Colour.
John Hurt, Kirstie Alley, Ben Johnson, Edward Woodward, Alison Stedman, Judy Parfitt, Anne Bell.
Directed by John Irvin.

Champions is based on the autobiography by jockey Bob Champion. Champion had had great success in racing but was diagnosed during the 1970s with cancer. The film shows his struggle with the disease – but shows great determination in combating the illness. Ultimately, Champion did overcome his cancer and resumed his racing career, even winning the Grand National in 1981. The film was made in the immediate aftermath of that success.

The film works well as a film about illness but it also has the power and the courage of somebody confronting the illness.

John Hurt is excellent in the role of Bob Champion. For more than forty years, Hurt has given a number of extraordinary performances ranging from A Man For All Seasons, Heaven’s Gate, Midnight Express to more recent performances like The Proposition and his priest in Shooting Dogs.

There is a good supporting cast of British and American actors led by Kirstie Alley.

The film was directed by John Irvin, a rather eclectic director who has made quite a number of interesting films of different styles including the television series Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy and the films Ghost Story, Dogs of War, Turtle Diary, Hamburger Hill as well as Widow’s Peak and A Month By The Lake. He also directed a Robin Hood film at the same time as the Kevin Costner version. His version starred Patrick Bergin.

1.Interesting film? Enjoyable? Its concerns, its message? Successfully communicating the experience of illness? Struggle, endeavour, achievement? The British story? Universal appeal?

2.The film as a true story, the impact of true stories? Winning out against many odds? A portrait of courage? The ending? The audience experiencing the struggle of Bob Champion, the emotional response?

3.The style of the film, the opening, the horses, training, the races, steeplechase races? The visuals, the editing? The drama of the jockey, his ordinariness? The British setting? The hospital and the experiences in hospital? Treatment? England, the comparison with the American interlude? The musical score?

4.The racing background and audience interest? Bob Champion and his career? Demonstrating his various skills? The presentation of owners, trainers, jockeys, the scenes of training, the races? The atmosphere of the racecourse? Authentic? The pressures on those involved in the racing game?

5.The American interludes, the comparisons with British races, British racetracks? The contribution to Bob Champion’s career and appreciation of him?

6.John Hurt as Bob Champion? The scenes of success? The relationship with Barbara? The issue of the lump? Hospital, the rapid development? Interviews and tests, the operation? The wards and the way these were filmed? Life in the hospital, the hospital staff? Issues of options and choices? Hopes? Limited time? The clarity of the choices for Bob Champion? The chemotherapy, its effect, his appearance? The duration of the therapy, in and out, weak, sick? The drips? The contents of the drips? Growing depression? His weariness, hair falling out etc? The uncertainties for his future?

7.The experience of the cancer? Thin, in and out of treatment, his sister and her help? At home, the difficulties, the bathroom? His nieces and the riding? The cattle? The emergency and the calling of the police?

8.Jo and her visit, sharing with him, her support? The races, going to the United States? The hotel, the proposition? Bob’s proposal, sharing the joy, the wedding? Plans for training?

9.The background of the hospital, the portrait of the doctors, the nurses, the interest and help? Handling the situation? Going to the races?

10.Bob and the temptations to give up? The visit to the children? The rocking horse? His getting better?

11.The good news, exercise? The fact of his recovery, riding and success? The support of Josh Gifford?