Search - Champions on DVD

A movie to lift the spirits

new york girl | new york | 10/24/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In 1992 I was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of 20. While in the hospital I watched Champions and took strength from the story. Whenever my body felt tired and my mind became despondent I would relive the story of Bob Champion and realize that through pain came hope. I related to the story in many ways as I was/am a rider of horses. When I was well enough to leave my hospital room, even if only for a short time, I would ride my own mare and pretend to be Bob Champion... living his Grand National moments. When my treatments ended and I was declared in remission I returned to college and acquired a position exercising steeplechasers for a training stable in TN. This movie was more than an inspiration for me and to this day I have no idea how it made it's way into my hospital room. I highly recommend watching this story... it will help you to find your own strength within."

Inspiring story but a hatchet job from the book: CHAMPIONS

KerrLines | Baltimore,MD | 01/05/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Bob Champion was a point-to-point, or Huntsman Timber rider from Yorkshire,England.He was a success as a teen in this "Steeplechase" circuit and his racing career eventually brought him to America where he rode several winners.In 1979, Champion was diagnosed with cancer and was given six months to live.After enduring grueling chemotherapy in 1980, Champion was "in the clear" and returned to riding.His ultimate triumph was the 1981 Grand National Steeplechase aboard the horse Aldaniti.Such is the true and courageous story as told in the 1983 film CHAMPIONS starring English legend John Hurt as Bob Champion.Though I have seen this film several times since it's theatrical release,the screenplay is still a very hatcheted job of the book "Champion's Story".The screenplay jumps time zones and countries and characters as if it the the Grand National itself.It is an extremely choppy script.What this film does do well is show the wonderfully exciting yet dangerous world of horse racing "over the jumps", and can be viewed for a good,accurate and in-depth look at the dangers that jockeys and horses face.You will be moved by Champion's bout with cancer,but as a film, this movie has better action sequences than it does character development and plot.

Great companion films would be PHAR LAP,SECRETARIAT,NATIONAL VELVET,JOCKEY,BROADWAY BILL,RUFFIAN,BLACK GOLD and DAN PATCH."

Courage

skylarkspur | Littleriver, CA USA | 11/10/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What a great story of survival and triumph. John Hurt made me laugh and cry. It must be an oversight that he is not mentioned as 'The Star' anywhere on this page. Wait, there is his name in the picture of the DVD cover, look close, squint. It was fun seeing Kirstie all young and beautiful too. I love her.

Bob Champion had an amazing career, winning over 500 races. After his illness he earned great quantities of money for cancer research. You can learn more about him at bobchampion.com

And, of course, the 1981 Grand National and the horse, Aldaniti. What exciting video of the toughest steeple chase in the world. I'm not an expert, but I believe it is over four miles and has more than 22 huge fences. That any horse and jockey can survive this race when young and healthy is remarkable, to do it, both rider and horse, after fighting back from illness and lameness, is unbelievable. Except that they did, and won! Aldaniti plays himself.

Thanks for finally bringing this great movie to us on DVD.



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Horse Movie

D. Wogaman | cruising on our sail boat | 10/06/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"We thoroughly enjoyed this "based on a true story" movie. My understanding is that the horse plays himself in it, which really adds an extra dimension. Well enough done movie for any to enjoy, but great for any horse lover like myself."