MovieChat Forums > Danny the Champion of the World (1989) Discussion > Just one problem... (CONTAINS SPOILERS!)

Just one problem... (CONTAINS SPOILERS!)

posted 17 years ago by kcfan-3
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I liked this adaptation very much. I first read the book at school 30 years ago and it still remains my favourite children's book to this day.

When it comes to characterisation, Dahl has the same gift that Stephen King has; he describes his characters in a way that makes you actually see them as three-dimensional people. Now, I'm not suggesting that Danny's father was perfect in any way, but I don't think he had a malicious bone in his body. Why then, in the film, is getting even with Hazell Danny's father's prime motivation to poach the pheasants? In the book, he did it because a) it was a family tradition and b) he loved to poach.

Just a small niggle, but on the whole a very enjoyable adaptation with a wonderful cast.

Not on the rug, man....

[–] Just_Call_Me_Nathan 12 years ago

In the book revenge, or at least getting his own back on Mr. Hazell, is another motivation for Danny's father's poaching, particularly after

1. Mr Hazell insulted Danny and
2. The two inspectors turning up with suspicions about his premises.

Danny's father even says at one point: "I do not like Mr. Hazell one little bit and it's a pleasure to poach his birds."