evanston_dad "Champion" has a satisfyingly gritty, noir-like look, but its style is unfortunately wasted on a story that's pure melodrama.Kirk Douglas plays a boxing phenom, whose meteoric rise is due to his charisma and animal magnetism, and whose fall is due to his hubris. The problem is that you have to find Douglas irresistible in the first place, or at least understand why he might be so irresistible to others, to make his rise make sense, and to make you feel any compassion for his fall. Since I don't particularly like Douglas and never have, the movie left me cold.The sleazy boxing underworld that serves as the film's setting provided ample opportunities to craft a juicy little drama, but instead the movie focuses on the various love interests of Douglas and becomes a parade of scenes featuring women, all interchangeable, suffering over the wrongs done to them. Who cares?This film received an Academy Award for Best Film Editing, which, when taken with the editing awards given to "Body and Soul" and "Rocky" over the years, shows that the Academy really likes to give this particular award to boxing movies. It was also nominated for Best Actor (Douglas), Best Supporting Actor (Arthur Kennedy, as Douglas's brother and the film's conscience), Best Screenplay (Carl Foreman), Best Black and White Cinematography (Frank Planer), and Best Dramatic or Comedy Score (Dimitri Tiomkin).Grade: B-

edwagreen An absolute brilliant performance by Kirk Douglas as the ruthless fighter Midge, who attained success but at a cost finally to himself and others.The film would mark Kirk Douglas's Oscar nomination and it is only too bad that he had Broderick Crawford, the winner, in that category for the latter's magnificent performance as Willie Stark in "All the King's Men," that very same year of 1949.We see a very triumphant boxer and then through the art of flashbacks, the hurt that he invariably caused others.The boxing scenes were quite authentic to say the least and probably mirrored what Midge was doing during his lifetime-creating havoc for others.

Riley Porter This movie is essentially a boxing noir where the emphasis is more on the characters than the boxing. If you have seen Ace in the Hole then the performance that Kirk Douglas gives in this movie will be very reminiscent of that. Midge Kelly, as played by Douglas, basically functions as a rags to riches villain who appears to onlookers as a people's champion, and appears to the people close to him as the actual person that he is. Much in the way that we treat our idols today, Midge Kelly is to the people whatever they want him to be, and like many idols his life outside of the ring is nothing to be sought after.This movie is a commentary on champions in sports and likely elsewhere, as well as a fine display of acting by Kirk Douglas and the supporting cast. This is basically the Kirk Douglas show as he occupies the majority of the screen and brings the bulk of the talent. The supporting cast does their part but are frankly overshadowed by Douglas, with his absences being fairly noticeable when they occur. The boxing will probably appear lack luster to fans of Rocky or actual boxing matches. Despite that, the important matches are engaging and the montage material gets the point across. This film is a hidden gem and is worth some recognition if nothing else but for a great performance and some intelligent insight on champions.

gaston-rivera Due to current technology, last night I was able to watch "Champion" (1949) for the first time, at home, on my schedule, without having to wait for a commercial TV showing. This powerful, independent, black and white film is a credit to the motion picture industry demonstrating how a good story, expert direction, and a riveting lead performance may successfully substitute standard movie making with higher budgets, special effects, and outdoor locations. The world of boxing is painfully presented, and despite the ambiance, and rawness of it all, one cannot stop watching scene by scene, until the powerful, no nonsense end. Special mention goes to Kirk Douglas' outstanding performance as the strong, unlikeable, and cynic box champion. He pours realism and passion. One of his very best. Arthur Kennedy and Paul Stewart add excellent support. This gem is a must film for movie lovers as myself privileged to watch it 62 years after its original release.