Apr 18th
Champions**                        

(GB 1983)

Embassy/Ladbroke Entertainment/United British Artists. 115m.

Steeplechaser Bob Champion recovers from cancer surgery to win the 1981 Grand National.
Powerful although not entirely involving dramatisation of topical events (including the winning horse himself, Aldaniti), with the ultimate outcome apparent from the beginning, which makes the finale not as exhilarating as it should be. Interestingly, Bob Champion makes himself the least sympathetic character of the film, but there are compensations to be found elsewhere in the supporting roles.

Written by: Evan Jones, based on the book by Bob Champion, Jonathan Powell.
Producer: Peter Shaw.
Director: John Irvin.
Starring: John Hurt, Edward Woodward, Jan Francis, Ben Johnson, Kirstie Alley, Peter Barkworth, Alison Steadman, Ann Bell, Michael Byrne, Judy Parfitt.
Photography: Ronnie Taylor.
Music: Carl Davis.