<P> The book was adapted into a made - for - TV movie in 1989 by Thames Television . It was directed by Gavin Millar and starred Jeremy Irons as William and his son, Samuel, as Danny, with Robbie Coltrane as Mr. Hazell . It was released to Region 2 DVD in 2006 . </P> <P> Danny, The Champion of the World is based on a previous short story by Dahl, entitled The Champion of the World, which was first published in The New Yorker Magazine in 1959 and later re-published in the compilation Kiss Kiss . The original story has a similar premise, but with adults as the main characters . </P> <P> Danny recalls a bedtime story of a "Big Friendly Giant" who captures good dreams and blows them into children's bedrooms at night . Dahl would later use the same concept in the full - length novel entitled The BFG . </P> <P> In one section of the story distinct from the rest, Danny describes being caned by his teacher, Captain Lancaster, for cheating in an exam . This is similar to an experience that Dahl recounted of his own teacher, Captain Hardcastle, in Boy . </P>

Danny the champion of the world plot summary