The Harder They Fall

1956 "No Punches Pulled! If you thought "On The Waterfront" hit hard... wait till you see this one!"
7.5| 1h49m| NR| en| More Info
Released: 09 May 1956 Released
Producted By: Columbia Pictures
Country: United States of America
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
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Synopsis

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.

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Reviews

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.
SnoopyStyle Respected sports writer Eddie Willis (Humphrey Bogart) is jobless when his newspaper folds. Fight promoter Nick Benko (Rod Steiger) wants to hire him as the press agent for his new heavyweight fighter Toro Moreno. The problem is that Toro is a big dumb giant stiff. Benko schemes to rig Toro's fights with nobodies building up his resume and get him a fight with the heavyweight champion Buddy Brannen.Bogart is terrific as the morally conflicted Eddie. It's impressive considering he was unwell and this is his last film. He still carries the movie. Steiger is incredible as the bombastic croaked promoter. It's also a fine morality tale. The fight game has always been corrupted and this takes it to the extreme.
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.