!!The novel
* WriteWhoYouKnow: Dahl loves talking about his childhood.
** Dahl lost one of his parents at a young age (although it was his father, not his mother).
** Captain Lancaster was based on one of Creator/RoaldDahl's teachers, Captain Hardcastle.
** Like Danny's father, Roald Dahl's mother was outraged to learn that her son had been caned at school, but unlike Danny's father, she actually did storm out to confront the headmaster concerned.
** Dahl had a friend who had a passion for poaching.
** Dahl taught his children to drive at a very young age.
!!The film
* RealLifeRelative:
** Father and son [[Creator/JeremyIrons Jeremy]] and Samuel Irons play the father and Danny.
** Cyril Cusack, who plays Dr. Spencer, is Jeremy Irons' father-in-law and Samuel Irons' grandfather, respectively.
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