Champions
Date: 1983
Director: John Irvin
Production Company: Archerwest, Ladbroke, United British Artists
Stars: John Hurt, Jan Francis, Edward Woodward, Alison Steadman, Peter Barkworth, Ben Johnson, Kirstie Alley, Judy Parfitt
Location(s): London, Berkshire, Monmouthshire, Merseyside, Kentucky
Region(s): London C-D, N. America, North, South East A-D, Wales
Storyline:
True story about Bob Champion’s struggle to beat cancer and win the Grand National. Evocative and uplifting music score by Carl Davis will necessitate a tissue or two. SJ
Additional Information:
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If you have any information regarding this production, the locations or, even better, some comparison shots please contact us. Images submitted must be in Landscape orientation, as would be seen on the cinema screen, not Portrait.
We are aware that there are films on the site that were added when the criteria for the inclusion of locations was very different from today and, as a result, there may be scenes missing from some productions. Please do not forward additional screen captures to us but bring the detail to our attention, for we do, and are, 're-addressing' these older entries as time allows.
- Capture 1
- 'Now' required
Hurt on Aldaniti at Chepstow, Monmouthshire.
- Capture 2
- 'Now' required
Hurt and Johnson in Kentucky, USA, which eliminates 49 states.
- Capture 3
- 24 Sep 2013
Hurt checks up on his health on Alley's advice.
Peter provides this comparison shot with scaffolding instead of a ladder.
- Capture 4
- 24 Sep 2013
The London Cancer Hospital? Nice reflection in the sign though. More like the Royal Marsden Hospital (which specialises in cancer), Fulham Road, London SW3. The real Bob Champion was treated at the other Royal Marsden in Sutton, Surrey.
The same location now from Peter.
- Capture 5
- 'Now' required
Woodward at his livery, answering the phone.
- Capture 6
- 30 Nov 2014
A night view from the hospital. Night Owls has moved up the road a bit since.
The same location now from Peter.
- Capture 7
- 'Now' required
Chepstow again, which Hurt visits while undergoing chemotherapy.
- Capture 8
- 'Now' required
Francis and Hurt take some time out at Steadman's house, somewhere in England.
- Capture 9
- 12 Sep 2013
Steadman crosses Fulham Road, SW3, to meet Hurt.
Peter captured this now shot adding "Outside the Royal Marsden Hospital, part of which occupies my old school building which is just behind shot in Stewarts Grove, Fulham Road. Number 1 Stewarts Grove is where the infamous Lord Lucan's best friend commited suicide after being hounded by the press."
- Capture 10
- 'Now' required
Johnson brings a beer for Hurt and Alley in Kentucky.
- Capture 11
- 'Now' required
Johnson and Hurt in Kentucky.
- Capture 12
- 'Now' required
Back in England, Aldaniti on a lovely spring day.
- Capture 13
- 'Now' required
Barkworth and co. inspect Aldaniti, now fully recovered and fit for the National. Same place as above.
- Capture 14
- 'Now' required
The helpful sign says Red Lion Hotel Lambourn, where Hurt and Francis meet but it then cuts to interiors so they may not have actually visited the pub.
- Capture 15
- 'Now' required
Hurt meets Francis at her college... An unknown location for ten years until James McFadyen came to the rescue with the former Royal Agricultural College (now University) on Stroud Road just outside Cirencester. James was one of the gentlemen farmer extras who passed by in this scene. He adds that some race scenes, which he missed out on as he returned to Hull University, may have been filmed at Cheltenham's Presbury Park. (SJ)
- Capture 16
- 'Now' required
Another shot of the Red Lion, Market Square/Oxford Street, Lambourn, Berkshire. It's no longer an inn.
- Capture 17
- 17 Apr 2023
Aintree, north of Liverpool in Merseyside. The Grand National has been run here since the 19th Century.
Stands have been rebuilt and replaced over the intervening years. (PW)
- Capture 18
- 18 Jan 2026
The Aldephi Hotel, Ranelagh Place, Liverpool.
This shot replaces, with his blessing, PW's June '22 snap which was obscured by trees in the season's full leaf. Taken by Nial Browne who adds that the hotel has hosted Cilla Black, The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Winston Churchill and in 1954 Roy Rogers and Trigger! (SJ)
- Capture 19
- 'Now' required
An interior on the eve of the National. Woodward, Francis, Hurt, Barkworth et al. This may be the interior of the Adelphi also seen in 'Three Businessmen'.