Requiem for a Heavyweight (1962)

Horrible, fascist and poorly acted

The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.

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.

Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

This is an obvious remake/revision of "The Harder They Fall" 1956 with Humphrey Bogart, his last film. The story may slightly vary but the plot is the same. I'm surprised Serling gets credit for an original teleplay. If you haven't seen the first version do yourself a favor, both Bogart and Steiger's performances are noteworthy if not classics. Some feel it was Bogart's finest dramatic role. And although I'm a huge fan of Gleason I must say it's not quite that of Bogart's interpretation of the character. Bogart explores the darker and scandalous side of the boxing realm far deeper and more intense in my view. But perhaps I'm bias since I prefer originals over remakes.

After months in the "long wait" list on Netflix, I finally got this DVD delivered to me yesterday. Rod Serling had originally written this for live television before adapting this for film but this was the first version I've seen of it so I won't make comparisons to that one. Anyway, Anthony Quinn is a washed-up boxer who's now decommissioned because of his health which doesn't make manager Jackie Gleason's job any easier since he owes lots of money to a loan shark. Mickey Rooney who helped train Quinn just wants what's best for him but gets overruled by Gleason every time. Julie Harris is the employment clerk who takes a liking to Quinn enough to pull some strings for him but she really...oh, watch the film if you're curious enough. I'll just now say that this was quite a compelling drama that got me riveted throughout especially during the score of Lawrence Rosenthal when playing. Nice cameo by boxer Muhammad Ali when he was still known as Cassius Clay. P.S. I dedicate this review in memory of the recent passings of Julie Harris and Mickey Rooney.

Requiem for a Heavyweight You can tell a boxer is over-the-hill when they come to the ring wearing their bathrobe.After getting knocked out by Cassius Clay, "Mountain" Rivera (Anthony Quinn) hangs up his gloves in hopes of landing a less violent gig.But when his manager's (Jackie Gleason) life is threatened by a bookie, Mountain must put his aspirations on hold, swallow his pride, and enter the wrestling ring.Despite his embarrassment in the theatrics of the sport, Mountain agrees to the match-up, much to the chagrin of his career counselor/ love interest (Julie Harris).Based on the teleplay by Twilight Zone's Rod Serling, this film adaptation of the scribe's sci-fi free script is altered for cinematic purposes, but the pathos of an archaic contender is still present, and is pure Rod Serling.The worst thing about being a retired boxer is that with your slurred speech everyone keeps enrolling you in A.A.Green Light vidiotreviews.blogspot.ca

After seven grueling rounds with Muhammad Ali (as Cassius Clay), heavyweight boxer Anthony Quinn (as Louis "Mountain" Rivera) is knocked out. Told he with likely go blind if he fights again, due to optic nerve damage, Mr. Quinn must give up boxing. Displaying "punch drunk" behavior, Quinn is not exactly qualified to be anything other than a professional fighter. Pressured by gangsters, manager Jackie Gleason (as Maish Rennick) tries to get Quinn back in the ring, while trainer Mickey Rooney (as Army) encourages Quinn to try find another job. Thanks to kindly New York State employment worker Julie Harris (as Grace Miller), Quinn sets up an interview as summer camp counselor...The boxing profession takes another big hit, with this feature film version of writer Rod Serling's excellent 1956 "Playhouse 90" teleplay. Ironically, a couple of the profession's super-stars participate...This is essentially a four-person drama. All are re-cast from the original production, and all are outstanding. The "Film Daily" had Quinn finishing in the year's top five "Best Actor" performances, and Mr. Rooney was runner-up in the "Supporting Actor" category. Also award-worthy are Mr. Gleason and Ms. Harris. They are letter perfect in their supporting roles. TV director Ralph Nelson very successfully re-imagines the drama, enlarging the landscape while retaining intimacy. There is nothing new or original here, but that is only a minor deficiency. Interestingly, the "fight scenes" are memorable not for the fighting, but for the hideous spectators and the pathetic last impression of a boxer.******** Requiem for a Heavyweight (10/16/62) Ralph Nelson ~ Anthony Quinn, Jackie Gleason, Mickey Rooney, Julie Harris