By Chris Barrymore
Presented, as I am wont to do, in chronological order:
Kid Galahad (1962) Starring Elvis Presley, Charles Bronson – Although I have not yet seen this film, it was recommended by Will-He-M, and since I have no reason to doubt the integrity or honesty of the Shithawks, it’s in. This is a remake of the 1937 original, and stars Mississippi’s favorite son in perhaps the first (and last?) boxing film that also happens to be a musical. Here's a more interesting fact. For this role, Presley was tutored in the arts of pugilism by former world welterweight champ Mushy Callahan, who has got to possess the best name of all time.
Requiem for a Heavyweight (1962) Starring Anthony Quinn, Jackie Gleason, Mickey Rooney, Jack Dempsey, Rory Calhoun, Cassius Clay – This film is the big screen adaptation of Rod Serling’s original teleplay. Quinn stars as a once-promising but now washed-up boxer who faces the end of his career after he is savagely defeated by a much younger foe. Cassius Clay appears as himself, as Quinn's opponent in a match at the beginning of the movie.
The Champ (1979) Starring Jon Voight, Faye Dunaway, Ricky Schroder – The original 1931 version won Academy Awards for Best Actor and Best Story (as it was called at the time). This film however, even though it is one of the first boxing films I remember seeing, didn’t win
Raging Bull (1980) Starring Robert DeNiro, Cathy Moriarty, Joe Pesci – This film has truly achieved legendary status, and featured Martin Scorcese directing Robert DeNiro, as real life boxer, Jake LaMotta. To this day, the role represents DiNiro's only Best Actor Oscar win.
Rocky III (1982) Starring Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Burt Young, Carl Weathers, Burgess Meredith, Mr. T, Hulk Hogan - I'd like to nominate the entire Rocky series (1976-2006), but will settle for what is probably my personal favorite. Little needs to be said about this film, or any in the series really, since everyone already knows all there is to know about it. I probably could have included at least Rocky IV (1985) and Rocky Balboa (2006) on this list, but decided to stick with just the one film.
When We Were Kings (1996) Starring Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, Don King, James Brown, B.B. King, Mobutu Sese Seko, Spike Lee, Norman Mailer, George Plimpton – This film is a documentary about the 1974 Rumble in the Jungle between Ali and Foreman. It contains lots of social and political overtones, since in 1974, much like today, there were many things going in the U.S. and around the world that were shaping the present and the future to come. It won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature, and at the presentation, both Ali and Foreman came up to join the filmmakers to make it clear they had long made peace, with Foreman even helping Ali up the stairs.
The Hurricane (1999) Starring Denzel Washington - This film tells the story of boxer Rubin “Hurricane” Carter, whose conviction for a triple-murder was set aside after he had spent almost 20 years in prison. The script was adapted from the books Lazarus and the Hurricane by Sam Chaiton and Terry Swinton, and The 16th Round, written by Carter himself.
Ali (2001) Starring Will Smith, Jamie Foxx, Jon Voight, Mario Van Peebles, Ron Silver, Mykelti Williamson, Jada Pinkett Smith - This film tells the story of Muhammad Ali from 1964-1974, and covers his capturing the heavyweight title from Sonny Liston, his conversion to Islam, his criticism if the Vietnam War, his banishment from boxing, his return against Joe Frazier, and his regaining of the title from Foreman in the Rumble in the Jungle. Nominated for numerous awards from assorted foundations and associations, but came up empty on its two Academy Awards categories (Best Actor - Will Smith, Best Supporting Actor - Jon Voight)
Million Dollar Baby (2004) Starring Clint Eastwood, Hilary Swank, Morgan Freeman – Not only starring, but also directed by, co-produced by, and even scored by Eastwood, this film takes its name from a 1941 film that starred Ronald Reagan. Eastwood and company won the Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress (Swank), and Best Supporting Actor (Freeman). Plus, Eastwood was also nominated for Best Actor. Many have argued that this is Eastwood’s masterpiece, though I would personally vote for Unforgiven (1992).
Cinderella Man (2005) Starring Russell Crowe, Renee Zellweger, Paul Giamatti - Although Crowe appears to be a total jackass in real life, his films tend to transcend his public persona and invite the viewer on various journeys through the history of man. In this film, he stars as Irish-American boxer, James J. Braddock. Set during the Great Depression, it is inspired by the true-life story of the heavyweight champ who overcame 10-1 odds to beat Max Baer. This is considered one of the greatest upsets in boxing history. Although not included in the movie, because it would be a bummer of an ending, Braddock would later lose the title to Joe Louis, a couple of years later.
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