Champions (1984)
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30% want to see it
(87 ratings)
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… More 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
- Directed By
- John Irvin
- Genres
- Drama
PG,
Critic Reviews
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Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Begins in tragedy and ends in triumph.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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John Hurt
as Bob Champion
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Edward Woodward
as Josh Gifford
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Jan Francis
as Jo
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Peter Barkworth
as Nick Embiricos
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Ann Bell
as Valda Embiricos
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Judy Parfitt
as Dr. Merrow
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Alison Steadman
as Mary Hussey
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Kirstie Alley
as Barbara
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Julie Adams
as Emma Hussey
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Fran Brill
as 2nd Nurse
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Michael Byrne
as Richard Hussey
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Mick Dillon
as Snowy
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Ben Johnson
as Burly Cocks
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Gregory Jones
as Peter
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Mark Lambert
as Sean
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Richard Leech
as Beck
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Carolyn Pickles
as Sally
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Hubert Rees
as Bill/Hiawatha
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Fiona Victory
as Helen
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Andrew Wilde
as Graham
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John Woodnut
as Mr. Champion
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Mark Burns
as Thorne
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Edwin Richfield
as Ashton
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Jonathan Newth
as Mr. Griffith Jones
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Leonard Trolley
as Steward
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Antony Carrick
as Ken
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Stephen Jenn
as Bald Patient
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John Burke
as Jockey Riding Double
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Noel Dyson
as Mrs. Champion
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Anthony Dawes
as Fred
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Wendy Gifford
as Althea
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Ceri Jackson
as Nurse
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Richard Adams
as Nicky Hussey
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Frank Mills
as Charles
