Tell me about your favorite boxing films

Baer wore his robe from the film into the ring when he challenged Primo.

 

The only "crime" about ****** ON HIS BACK, p, was that it was a one-note message picture. Like Sam Goldwyn said, 'You want to send a message, use Western Union.'

When it's done right, it can be great, and big box office, like THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN ARM 'n A HATFUL OF RAIN.

 

Quoted these two posts for the benefit of a little movie trivia... in the movie, Man with the golden Arm, they needed a "hands double" for close ups of the expert card dealing that Sinatra was supposed to be able to do...

the hands they used, belonged to none other than Uncle Miltie, Milton Berle.

I think boxing movies, sports movies in general have an impossible task; and that's to try and compete with the real thing. I think that's why they have to be about something a lot more than just the sport.

That said, and not that I've seen them all, even all the ones mentioned here, but Raging Bull, I thought was one of the best movies ever made, period. I'd also add the first Rocky and Requiem for a HW.

On the Waterfront, if I could only watch five movies for the rest of my life, and with all the crap they put out these days, that just may be the case; this would definitely be one of them.

 

I think the only way they could make a perfect fight scene, for me at least, would be if they were actually beating the **** out of each other. But then, I feel the same way about shoot 'em ups... I know they're not actually shooting each other, so I honestly find it a bore.

I DO think boxing presents a great backdrop for drama; but my least favorite parts are the actual fights. Could just be me...

 

That's Erik Morales as Vicente Saldivar, right? Beautiful. I'm a sucker when they bring in modern greats to assume the role of former greats.

Speaking of, Erik Morales is indeed "something to cheer about"... http://www.thesweetscience.com/news/articles/12387-something-to-cheer-aboutsprings-toledo

 

''You think you're God Almighty, but you know what you are? You're a cheap, lousy, dirty, stinkin' mug! And I'm glad what I done to you, ya hear that? I'M GLAD WHAT I DONE!''

There's so much quotable dialogue that it's daft.

Yep, that's Morales alright. I've a similar soft spot for the great playing a great thing , at least enough to overlook Morales' jelly belly. I might go away and rewatch all the Toney/Frazier bits from the Ali biopic later on.

I think that there was a rumour going around prior to filming starting that they'd enlisted Barrera - who was actually much more comparable in terms of both looks and fighting style - to play Saldivar, but obviously the part ended up going to Erik for whatever reason. I'll bet he was as pleased as punch too; getting to play a fellow great countryman and fighter at the expense of Barrera .

Nice article about Morales btw, Springs. Great effort he put up there; I only hope people don't go reading too much into it and expect him to roll back the clock. It looked like more of a last hurrah than anything else to me.

 

Well the hurricane was my favourite boxing film but this forum put me off it lol.

The obvious choices, raging bull, rocky, cinderella man.

Also that snake eyes has a bit about boxing in it.

 

People have been so pleasant and modest about liking The Hurricane that I'm starting to feel a bit guilty about blaggarding it....


No, no, please....****....film.....must fight ittttt......:gun

 

Rocky. No doubt about it. Raging Bull was the more well made film, sure, but Rocky was just a more enjoyable, timeless feature for me.

 

Don't fight it, start a campaign to get people back into it! That way I can watch it again

 

Hurricane was a great film and story.

 

If it weren't for the fact that HURRICANE's a work of fiction, I'd agree, P

 

What aspects are fiction?