The Harder They Fall (1956)

It is a performances centric movie

It's funny watching the elements come together in this complicated scam. On one hand, the set-up isn't quite as complex as it seems, but there's an easy sense of fun in every exchange.

Go in cold, and you're likely to emerge with your blood boiling. This has to be seen to be believed.

Blistering performances.

Hollywood history is chock full of seedy, noirish boxing movies, and based on the ones I've seen, "The Harder They Fall" is one of the best.Mark Robson, who directed this one, had tackled the underbelly of the boxing world before with his well-received 1949 film "Champion," starring Kirk Douglas. But "The Harder They Fall" is better than that earlier film. It's tougher, grittier, and has much better actors. One such actor is Humphrey Bogart in what would end up being his last, and one of his best, movie performances. He's really exceptional as a journalist who reluctantly gets sucked into the criminal world of fixed fights in order to make a star out of a young up-and-comer who's big as a house but has no boxing ability at all. The mastermind is played by Rod Steiger in a typically hammy, scene-chewing performance. He's all shouted lines and sweaty histrionics as juxtaposed to Bogart's cool, collected poise, and the contrast in acting styles, while it might have derailed another movie, enhances this one. Jan Sterling, who I absolutely adore, plays Bogart's wife, and if she's somewhat wasted in her role, I won't complain too much because I'll take whatever Sterling I can get.Burnett Guffey, who had won an Oscar for "From Here to Eternity" and would win another a decade later for "Bonnie and Clyde," received a nomination for Best Black & White Cinematography.Grade: A

We live in a golden age for film buffs. The downside for those of us who are old is that we have a chance to easily see films that we once thought great, perhaps because of the effort it took to view them, but in review, do not live up to our memories. As a Bogart fan I had to see this forty years ago as it was his last screen appearance. I thought it a good film, but not remarkable. Now, having seen it twice in the last six months, it far exceeds my previous opinion. Eddie Willis is a complex character and anyone who has been downsized or laid off can identify with the struggle between ethics and the need to make a buck. The rest of the cast delivers at the least adequate, and at best memorable performances. Don't avoid it if you're not a sports fan (I'm not either.) Boxing is simply the setting for a great tale about corruption, rationalization, conflict and redemption. A great film and for Humphrey Bogart a great end to a great career.

Unemployed sportswriter Humphrey Bogart (as Eddie Willis) reluctantly agrees to work as promoter for sleazy boxing manager Rod Steiger (as Nick Benko). Fixing fights for lumbering heavyweight Mike Lane (as Toro Moreno) leads to the expected championship bout, but Mr. Bogart is secretly battling a moral conscience. "The Harder They Fall" also catches Bogart losing his fight with cancer. In hindsight, the superstar appears to be in failing health, but with his screen persona and acting skills intact. Like many classic stars of early cinema, Bogart can be the singular reason to watch a motion picture.****** The Harder They Fall (5/9/56) Mark Robson ~ Humphrey Bogart, Rod Steiger, Jan Sterling, Mike Lane

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