The Harder They Fall
The Harder They Fall
NR | 09 May 1956 (USA)
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Jobless sportswriter Eddie Willis is hired by corrupt fight promoter Nick Benko to promote his current protégé, an unknown Argentinian boxer named Toro Moreno. Although Moreno is a hulking giant, his chances for success are hampered by a powder-puff punch and a glass jaw. Exploiting Willis' reputation for integrity and standing in the boxing community, Benko arranges a series of fixed fights that propel the unsophisticated Moreno to #1 contender for the championship. The reigning champ, the sadistic Buddy Brannen, harbors resentment at the publicity Toro has been receiving and vows to viciously punish him in the ring. Eddie must now decide whether or not to tell the naive Toro the truth.

Reviews
PiraBit if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.
filippaberry84 I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.
Sienna-Rose Mclaughlin The movie really just wants to entertain people.
Matylda Swan It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties.
grantss A fine finale to Bogart's career.Famous for being Humphrey Bogart's last movie (he died about a year after making this), it deserves to be more than an historical footnote, as this is a good movie, full stop. Starts slowly, and initially struggled to retain my interest. However, it gathers momentum as it progresses, and becomes quite intriguing. Bogart puts in a solid performance, despite suffering from ill-health (soon after the movie was completed he was diagnosed with the cancer that would end his life). Good support all round. Rod Steiger is very convincing as the unscrupulous boxing promoter.
Kirpianuscus it is not only a good film. it is wise adaptation of a good story. and scene for a great role for Humphrey Bogart. because it is more than his last role. it is essence of a hard work and demonstration of extraordinary talent. it is a parable or the picture of a world. it is the wise demonstration about the basic values who are the best form of resistance against the lie and evil. it is not easy to define the performance of Bogart. because, more than a song of swan, it represents a confession. not only as the last role but as testimony of a credo. not as good job but as the last word of a brilliant career. short, a film who must see it.
LeonLouisRicci A relentless and rigorous dive into the world of Professional Boxing (circa 1956) and its effect on the Athletes and their exploitation and disregard. It is no surprise that this was a flop at the box-office at the time. It has since found its place in the Film-Noir world with its no holds barred expose of corruption.Notable for the last screen role for Humphrey Bogart it has much more to offer. Crisp hands-on Direction with the Cinematography and Lighting and Sets looking as bleak as the Story. It is an uncompromising and unsettling unfolding of a no-talent, but gargantuan, Boxer that believes he is unbeatable. But the fix is in and he is the last one to know. The result is heart-wrenching and real here, with the salty script and hard-boiled performances by all lending credulity with its cynicism and gutsy shout-out in an era of rigid conformity and a faith-based belief in the integrity of larger than life, celebrity based, and powerful institutions from Government to Show Business.This is a dreary and dreadful Fiction based on Fact. Character studies laced with as much pomp and spectacle as need be. There are unforgettable scenes with Bogart and Steiger as well as some just as memorable from the cheap seats.
Spikeopath Eddie Willis was once a top sports writer, but now he is down on his luck and searching for work. He gets a proposition from dodgy promoter Nick Benko, he is to write up sensationalist press for Benko's new discovery, the gigantic Toro Moreno. Trouble is is that Moreno is a poor boxer, powder puff punches and a glass jaw. But each fight is fixed by Benko and along with Eddie's press writings, this propels Moreno to being a household name, thus a crack at the heavyweight title is in the offering. However, Eddie starts to feel conflicted the more the story unfolds and just around the corner is a tragedy that will shape the destinies of everyone who is involved.This was sadly to be the last film from the great Humphrey Bogart. He would pass away the following year, but thankfully this Mark Robson directed piece proves to be a fitting swansong. He puts depth to his portrayal of Willis and his face off scenes with Rod Steiger's Benko are a real acting joy to observe. The film itself {great scripting from Phillip Yordan} is a scathing and critical look at the boxing circuit, corruption, greed and a scant care for human life come bubbling to the surface, with Burnett Guffey's stark black & white photography adding grime to the nasty underbelly. Real life {and one time heavyweight champion of the world} boxer Primo Carnera sued {and lost} Columbia because The Harder They Fall's story was close enough to his own life story, that in itself makes this film's core story all the more interesting. 8/10