Danny, the Champion of the World (film)

Danny, the Champion of the World is a 1989 film starring British Oscar winning actor Jeremy Irons, with his son, Samuel Irons, in the title role. It is based on the 1975 novel of the same name by Roald Dahl, and tells of a father and son who conspire to thwart a local businessmans plans to buy their land by poaching his game pheasants. It was filmed on location in Oxfordshire, mostly at Stonor Park, HenleyonThames. The book is written in the style of a reflective memoir by an adult Danny, who the reader might presume grew up in 1950s or 1960s rural England however, Chapterof the book reveals that the period was in fact the 1970s, given that the Baby Austin car that William and Danny were repairing was more thanyears old, having been made in 1933. The film is set in 1955.

The land that the station and garage is built upon is coveted by businessman Victor Hazell Robbie Coltrane, who owns the surrounding land and lives in a large mansion several miles away. Hazell attempts to buy the Smiths land, but William turns down his offers. Used to getting his own way, Hazell begins a campaign of harassment, trying to force them off their land. Several inspectors from the local council come and assess Williams property, and it becomes obvious that Hazell has sent them there by alerting them with false stories.William decides to poach Hazells prized game pheasants in retribution, using raisins to lure them out, but comes home empty handed Danny had detected his absence and was relieved to see him return. Afterwards, William reveals that he was out poaching. ........

Source: Wikipedia