The Champion
An inspirational film about one of boxing’s most unlikely heroes, The Fighter brings the story of “Irish” Micky Ward to the screen in all its rawness and excellent, nuanced performances from Mark Wahlberg (Ward), Christian Bale (Ward’s half brother Dicky Ecklund) and Amy Adams (Ward’s girlfriend).
This gritty, yet affectionately humorous film traces Ward’s life both in and out of the ring as he distances himself from his family to clear his head after a string of harrowing defeats.
Training alone, things look up for Ward as he is offered a chance at the title, but Ward finds that to prepare for the fight of his life he’ll need to rebuild bridges with his family, especially his half brother Ecklund.
Acted with sensitivity and purpose, and photographed in a raw and palpable style, The Fighter is a story of redemption in the face of adversity, and is sure to join the esteemed company in our Top 10 Boxing Films in History.
CHAMPION (1949)
Midge Kelly (Kirk Douglas) is a young man crossing America without a dream. Unwittingly thrust into the ring to fight a professional, Kelly suffers a heavy defeat, but not before catching the eye of a manager.
At his journey’s end another begins as he takes up boxing to escape menial work. Seduced by the money, crowds, and broads, Kelly’s career goes from strength to strength... but at what cost to his private life with his young wife?
THE HARDER THEY FALL (1956)
Humphrey Bogart’s last role before his death in 1957, The Harder They Fall uncovered the unsavoury business of fight-fixing.
Bogart performs wonders as the out-of-work sportswriter who is hired by a corrupt promoter to make a star of his new Argentine fighter of dubious talent.
A series of fixes propel the fighter to within one fight of the title, but the reigning champ will refuse to take a fall. As an unpleasant future approaches for the naive boxer, Bogart faces a heavy moral challenge.
ROCKY (1976)
Probably the most watched film on this list, Rocky, written by and starring Sylvester Stallone, is the quintessential boxing movie.
Everyone knows the theme and everyone remembers the montage but Rocky should be noted for its themes of ambition and self-respect.
The ‘Italian Stallion’ gets a once-in-a-lifetime shot at the title, and grasps it with everything his body can take and then some.
RAGING BULL (1980)
Martin Scorsese’s masterpiece stars Robert De Niro as Jake La Motta, a prize boxer whose aggression in the ring makes him a champion.
La Motta is unable to control the same power and aggression out of the ring with severe consequences for his family, his friends, and ultimately himself.
With both fights and family beautifully shot and edited, Raging Bull must be the best boxing film of all time.
WHEN WE WERE KINGS (1996)
1974 - George Foreman Vs. Mohammad Ali – Surely one of the greatest fights of all time was made into the greatest boxing documentary of all time.
The Academy agreed, awarding the film a best documentary Oscar. Finally released 23 years after the event, this film recounts the untold story behind the ‘Rumble In The Jungle’.
THE HURRICANE (1999)
Denzel Washington steps into the shoes of Rubin “Hurricane” Carter, a boxer falsely convicted and imprisoned for murder.
After overcoming a rough youth and becoming a real contender, Carter was accused of a triple murder and his life came crashing down.
Hope arrives in the form of a young African-American boy compelled after reading Carter’s book to fight for his freedom, but finding a racist establishment standing in his way.
GIRLFIGHT (2000)
One of the first films about female boxing, Girlfight stars Michelle Rodriguez as Diana, an 18 year old tearaway who discovers a hidden talent when she joins her brother at the gym.
As her training builds, Diana has to learn to accommodate her toughness or risk the few relationships she has.
This often overlooked film tells a story of not giving up, and proved an excellent first feature for Rodriguez.
ALI (2001)
Will Smith enters the ring as perhaps the most famous boxer of all time, Cassius Clay, aka Muhammad Ali.
The film traces Ali’s triumphant rise to heavyweight champion, explores his allegiance to the Nation of Islam and friends like Malcolm X, and his refusal to fight in the Vietnam War, before championing his victorious come-back.
Michael Mann’s film has helped a new generation come to know a true legend of boxing.
MILLION DOLLAR BABY (2004)
Hilary Swank, Morgan Freeman and Clint Eastwood star in this emotional tale story of an aging trainer, an old friend and a 31 year old waitress who wants to better herself.
Reluctant relationships are forged, old wrongs forgiven and things are looking up before an event in the ring changes things forever. Utterly devastating - but filmmaking at its very best.
CINDERELLA MAN (2005)
The uplifting true story of depression-era boxer James J. Braddock’s comeback was captured by Ron Howard with Russell Crowe in the lead role.
In the 1930’s former prize fighter Braddock was much like the rest of the American populace. He had no money, no luck, and seemingly no way to pull his family out of poverty.
Eventually, his love for his family and honour prompted him to dream the impossible dream, and success was to come his way.
THE FIGHTER (2011)
The Fighter is the inspirational true story of two boxing legends. Dicky Ecklund (Christian Bale) is a former boxing legend whose life has become shattered by drug abuse whilst Micky Ward (Mark Wahlberg), his half brother, has become the town's fighter and fading hope for a champion.
But with Micky losing fight after punishing fight, it takes iron-willed Charlene (Amy Adams), to help him split with his family, pursue his own interests and train without his criminal brother.
The Fighter is released nationwide on February 2
An inspirational film about one of boxing’s most unlikely heroes, The Fighter brings the story of “Irish” Micky Ward to the screen in all its rawness and excellent, nuanced performances from Mark Wahlberg (Ward), Christian Bale (Ward’s half brother Dicky Ecklund) and Amy Adams (Ward’s girlfriend).
This gritty, yet affectionately humorous film traces Ward’s life both in and out of the ring as he distances himself from his family to clear his head after a string of harrowing defeats.
Training alone, things look up for Ward as he is offered a chance at the title, but Ward finds that to prepare for the fight of his life he’ll need to rebuild bridges with his family, especially his half brother Ecklund.
Acted with sensitivity and purpose, and photographed in a raw and palpable style, The Fighter is a story of redemption in the face of adversity, and is sure to join the esteemed company in our Top 10 Boxing Films in History.
CHAMPION (1949)
Midge Kelly (Kirk Douglas) is a young man crossing America without a dream. Unwittingly thrust into the ring to fight a professional, Kelly suffers a heavy defeat, but not before catching the eye of a manager.
At his journey’s end another begins as he takes up boxing to escape menial work. Seduced by the money, crowds, and broads, Kelly’s career goes from strength to strength... but at what cost to his private life with his young wife?
THE HARDER THEY FALL (1956)
Humphrey Bogart’s last role before his death in 1957, The Harder They Fall uncovered the unsavoury business of fight-fixing.
Bogart performs wonders as the out-of-work sportswriter who is hired by a corrupt promoter to make a star of his new Argentine fighter of dubious talent.
A series of fixes propel the fighter to within one fight of the title, but the reigning champ will refuse to take a fall. As an unpleasant future approaches for the naive boxer, Bogart faces a heavy moral challenge.
ROCKY (1976)
Probably the most watched film on this list, Rocky, written by and starring Sylvester Stallone, is the quintessential boxing movie.
Everyone knows the theme and everyone remembers the montage but Rocky should be noted for its themes of ambition and self-respect.
The ‘Italian Stallion’ gets a once-in-a-lifetime shot at the title, and grasps it with everything his body can take and then some.
RAGING BULL (1980)
Martin Scorsese’s masterpiece stars Robert De Niro as Jake La Motta, a prize boxer whose aggression in the ring makes him a champion.
La Motta is unable to control the same power and aggression out of the ring with severe consequences for his family, his friends, and ultimately himself.
With both fights and family beautifully shot and edited, Raging Bull must be the best boxing film of all time.
WHEN WE WERE KINGS (1996)
1974 - George Foreman Vs. Mohammad Ali – Surely one of the greatest fights of all time was made into the greatest boxing documentary of all time.
The Academy agreed, awarding the film a best documentary Oscar. Finally released 23 years after the event, this film recounts the untold story behind the ‘Rumble In The Jungle’.
THE HURRICANE (1999)
Denzel Washington steps into the shoes of Rubin “Hurricane” Carter, a boxer falsely convicted and imprisoned for murder.
After overcoming a rough youth and becoming a real contender, Carter was accused of a triple murder and his life came crashing down.
Hope arrives in the form of a young African-American boy compelled after reading Carter’s book to fight for his freedom, but finding a racist establishment standing in his way.
GIRLFIGHT (2000)
One of the first films about female boxing, Girlfight stars Michelle Rodriguez as Diana, an 18 year old tearaway who discovers a hidden talent when she joins her brother at the gym.
As her training builds, Diana has to learn to accommodate her toughness or risk the few relationships she has.
This often overlooked film tells a story of not giving up, and proved an excellent first feature for Rodriguez.