Customer Reviews
Long Overdue...... - By: L. Hay, 20 Sep 2007 
At long last this classic has been released on DVD.
The cast is outstanding, the story quite charming & the scenery breathtaking.
Well worth waiting for.
Buy this one!!!!
Made for 1989 television, 4:3 ratio is all you need - By: A. Lambkin, 13 Feb 2006 
This is a wonderfully-realised television version of Roald Dahl's novel. It evokes a golden age of pastoral 1950s England as Dahl does in his book. The chemistry here between real-life father & son Jeremy & Samuel Irons rings true, & Robbie Coltrane's performance creates a suitably vulgar, nasty & stupid Victor Hazell for the viewer to hate.
I would suggest that the admittedly upsetting bloodsport scenes at the film's opening are an essential part of underlining the stupidity & cruelty of men like Hazell & what they like to do for fun, which was surely one of Dahl's key points for comment in the original novel. These scenes are not enough to take away from the film's appropriateness or enjoyability for a family audience, which scores highly indeed.
Regarding Judy Lewis' comment on the aspect ratio of this transfer, the Internet Movie Database lists the original aspect ratio for this film as 1.33:1 (or 4:3). This was a made-for-television film in 1989, so 4:3 would have indeed been the original aspect ratio for this film, & no widescreen edition could therefore exist without severe cropping. This means you are missing nothing of the film with this transfer.
AT LAST ITS ON DVD! - By: , 15 Aug 2005 I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw this film in the DVD shop as I have been looking forward to seeing this film for ages! I love everything about this film (except the first scene when they show men shooting the pheasants, which I felt was unnecessary) Its a shame there isn't more extras but the documentary, showing the film being made was very interesting.
One of Dahl's greatest - By: , 26 Jul 2005 Not as extravagant or as fantastical as some other Dahl fictions, Dahl's gentle tale of a loving Father/Son relationship is definitely one of his best. With the lead roles being given to a Father & Son this film can't go wrong. Both Irons actors give a superb performance.
Danny the Champion of the World - By: Judy Lewis, 24 Jul 2005 I have been waiting for years for the release on DVD of this delightful & timeless film, based of course on Roald Dahl's book. Set in the 1950s, & featuring excellent performances from three generations of the one family (the great Jeremy Irons, his son Sam & Sam's grandfather Cyril Cusack), it is a charming & often amusing tale of poaching, bullying & revenge. The only disappointment - its aspect ratio is 4:3, something not mentioned in the technical specs.
