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Post by Claire on Aug 6, 2012 10:05:53 GMT 1
Hi all its a while since we did a new film. Daren was talking about how good this film was and someone has just given me the DVD so thought it might be nice to do this one. Also its available on youtube if you haven't got a copy or don't want to buy/rent one. (Or I can lend someone it) In case you dont know, the film is about the remarkable true story of jockey Bob Champion and horse Aldaniti who both came back from life threatening ill health to win the Grand National. Watch film on youtube
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Post by darenc1 on Aug 6, 2012 17:40:51 GMT 1
One of the few films to actually make me cry - I can watch this any time I feel low, or fed up.
Just HEARING this music makes my eyes fill up...
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Post by Claire on Aug 6, 2012 22:50:41 GMT 1
I might watch this tonight if I can stay awake long enough!
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Post by darkhorse on Aug 7, 2012 14:31:47 GMT 1
Will join in with this one. I have it on video or DVD somewhere.
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Post by rallycairn on Aug 11, 2012 16:22:06 GMT 1
I watched in fairly recently, last year or so, and I actually didn't like it that much. For me, it had too much "disease survivor of the week" flavor to it. But the horse footage was great, and it wonderful that they used Aldaniti himself for (probably just some of) the filming, etc.
I've certainly seen much worse horse films, but I had heard this one praised so much that maybe my expectations were too high.
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Post by Claire on Aug 11, 2012 20:28:08 GMT 1
Have you a vote rallycairn?
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Post by Claire on Aug 23, 2012 20:01:35 GMT 1
Well I finally got round to re-watching this. I know what you mean about the 'survivor of the week' thing rallycairn. I do agree there's perhaps a bit much of this, and would have rather had more horse stuff in its place but I suppose the film was made to appeal to mainstream audiences who are more interested in people than nags (unlike me!) However saying that it was done well, hardly any over-sentimentality or cheesiness and John Hurt gave a brilliant performance of a cancer victim, not a brave little soldier or hero type, just an ordinary person who sometimes felt sorry for himself, got fed up, etc. I dread to think what the film may have been like if it had been given the full Hollywood treatment but the whole thing was done in a down to earth, matter of fact way. As I said, would have liked more Aldaniti bits, but I did love the parts where the recuperation of both man and horse mirrored each other. Racing bits very authentic, again totally 'un-Hollywooded' and matter of fact. A far better racing film than the recent Secretariat. Agree the music was brilliant, tho it has been a bit over-used in the BBC coverage of the National in years gone by!
Coincidentally just got a DVD of the 12 greatest nationals to watch and Aldaniti's race is featured on it. Will be interesting to see the real thing after watching the film.
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Post by darenc1 on Aug 23, 2012 21:24:56 GMT 1
I reckon it's the ROCKY of horse-racing movies - complete with training montage! ;D
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Post by Claire on Aug 24, 2012 11:46:33 GMT 1
I reckon it's the ROCKY of horse-racing movies - complete with training montage! ;D Great analogy - it would be fun to make a video of that part with the Rocky music as the backdrop.
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Post by darenc1 on Aug 24, 2012 17:24:54 GMT 1
That's sorely tempting....
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Post by darkhorse on Sept 7, 2012 21:50:38 GMT 1
I watched this the other day when I was doing the ironing! Excellent film, but a little more horsey bits and a little less hospital bits would have made it even better. John Hurt also looked a bit old to be a top jockey!
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Post by rallycairn on Sept 9, 2012 4:53:29 GMT 1
darkhorse, your comments jogged my memory -- I agree, not just the hospital bits per se but all the ladykiller stuff with the wigs when he was about to get out of the hospital. I mean, I'm sure they wanted to show him facing hair loss with good humor, but it was just "too much" for me. Still it was a good movie, just not as good as I was expecting.
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Post by Claire on Sept 9, 2012 10:35:06 GMT 1
I quite liked the wig bits! I did enjoy the horsy bits best of course but John Hurt is such a good actor the other parts weren't as dull or cheesy as they could have been. Yes he was a bit old for the role, he was in his mid 40s when he played Bob Champion, and he has never exactly had a youthful face! Considering the film was called Champions with an 's' it could have had a bit more of Aldaniti's story in it too. Its funny but when you watch films like this and you know that the hero is going to win you still get excited and find yourself rooting for them - really weird! Or is it just me...?
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Post by darenc1 on Sept 9, 2012 12:22:41 GMT 1
Nah, that Grand National sequence gets me worked up every time - gotta love the music in it!
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