Aussie Mike's Top 10 most authentic Boxing Movies!!!
/Ok folks, here are my top 10 boxing films based on the authenticity of the boxing scenes.
Sure the acting, story, writing etc.is important but my ranking is based on how realistic the boxing scenes are compared to the usual hackneyed, glorified Hollywood depictions where the hero wins and escapes the ring with nary a black eye or broken nose to be seen.
10. Gentleman Jim (1942)
A rollicking fictionalized tale based on the life of Gentleman Jim Corbett and his victory over John L Sullivan for the heavyweight Championship in 1892. The fighting scenes accurately depict the predominant boxing styles that were evolving from the traditional bare knuckle era. Much is made of Corbett’s footwork. Footwork that the star portraying Gentleman Jim, Errol Flynn, alas could not master. All the scenes of Corbett’s fancy feet are shown from the waist down, using the the nimble footwork of the then current Light heavyweight Champion Billy Conn.
9. Rocky1
Sorry Rocky Fans, big props to Sly Stallone for reigniting the” Fight Film” genre and boxing in general, but the lead with your face boxing style and exaggerated effects of the punches are a bit hard to reconcile for true fight fans. There are some great pre-fight training scenes that added a lot to the general perception of how hard boxers train, but even then, hitting huge slabs of meat in a fridge ???… mmm yep well it is Hollywood!
8. Rocky Balboa 2006
A fitting finale to the Rocky series. Some nice boxing scenes if again a little unrealistic. Nevertheless I was struck by the session where Rocky’s trainer explains that he (Rocky) has lost his speed and reflexes but still has power and “that is all we are going to train for….Bone crushing, jaw breaking power “. Some moving motivational scenes between Rocky and his son and Rocky and his new love interest are a nice addition.
7. The Fighter 2010
Based on the story of Micky Ward the fight scenes are good portrayal of Ward’s scrappy, all or thing fighting style. Yes Mark Whalberg as Micky Ward leads with his face, but that is largely how Ward fought.
6. Requiem for a Heavyweight (1962)
A dark realistic portrayal of a retired punch drunk fighter trying to make his way in life after a particularly bad beating in his final bout. The boxing scenes show the brutality both in and outside the ring.
5. The Harder they fall (1956)
Based on Budd Schulberg’s 1947 novel, this is a thinly veiled account of the career of Primo Carnera a mob controlled Heavyweight Champion in the 1930’s. There are some interesting cameo appearances from ex-heavyweight Champions Jersey Joe Walcott as a trainer and an ageing Max Baer as the hero’s nemesis. Also notable is the very anti boxing message at the film’s conclusion.
4. Ali, An American Hero (2001)
Will Smith’s portrayal of Muhammad Ali’s is very faithful to his boxing style, but doesn’t quite capture Ali’s spontaneity and quickness of movement both in and outside the ring. Very accurate depictions of Ali’s major fights with Liston, Frazier and Foreman.
3 .Cinderella Man (2005)
Russel Crowe’s portrays James Braddock and his climb out of the depression to become a very unlikely Heavyweight champion. The fights scenes accurately depict the rock em sock em boxing style of the 1930’s pre Joe Louis championship era. The Close ups of the punches landing and the blood, spit and grit really show the true nature of a boxing contest in its purest, most gruelling, form.
2. The Boxer (1997)
An often overlooked boxing movie where Daniel Day Lewis’ penchant for method acting is clearly displayed. In terms of pure boxing movement, particularly the infighting sequences where body punching, feinting, blocking and rolling with the punches are displayed you can’t get more realistic. Apparently in true method acting fashion Daniel Day Lewis trained in boxing for 3 years prior to filming but most telling of all ex used ex World featherweight Champion Barry McGuigan as chief boxing adviser in the filming. It shows. And by the way the story of an ex IRA member coming back to his community in Belfast after serving 14 years in Jail is pretty compelling as well.
1. Raging Bull (1980)
A classic of American film making, you can’t go far past Raging Bull as the ultimate boxing movie. The story of Jake LaMotta a former middleweight boxing champion and his struggles both in and out of the ring have been immortalized by the performance of Robert De Niro in the key role. Jake La Motta himself was very impressed with De Niro’s boxing skills and depiction of his major fights against the likes of Sugar Ray Robinson.
There you have it folks for me Its De Niro’s Raging Bull #1 winning by a very close split decision over Daniel Day Lewis, ‘The Boxer” a very close #2.
Let me know what you think!!