An obviously ailing Humphrey Bogart made his final screen appearance in The Harder They Fall. Adapted from a novel by Budd Schulberg, the film is a thinly disguised a clef account of the Primo Carnera boxing scandal. Bogart is cast as unemployed newspaperman Eddie Willis, who sells his soul down the river when he signs on as press agent for slimy fight manager Nick Benko (Rod Steiger). It is Willis' job to stir up publicity for Benko's newest protégé, Argentinian boxer Toro Moreno (Mike Lane). Benko's boy quickly rises to ...
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An obviously ailing Humphrey Bogart made his final screen appearance in The Harder They Fall. Adapted from a novel by Budd Schulberg, the film is a thinly disguised a clef account of the Primo Carnera boxing scandal. Bogart is cast as unemployed newspaperman Eddie Willis, who sells his soul down the river when he signs on as press agent for slimy fight manager Nick Benko (Rod Steiger). It is Willis' job to stir up publicity for Benko's newest protégé, Argentinian boxer Toro Moreno (Mike Lane). Benko's boy quickly rises to the top of his profession, though everybody but Toro knows that all the fights have been fixed. Upon learning that Benko intends to bilk Toro of his earnings, Willis regains his integrity, tells the wide-eyed young pugilist the truth, then sits down to write a searing expose of the fight racket. Jan Sterling costars as Willis' estranged wife, while real-life boxers Jersey Joe Walcott and Max Baer are suitably cast as Toro's trainer and ring opponent, respectively. There is also a heartbreaking cameo appearance by ex-fighter Joe Greb, cast as a punchdrunk skid row bum. The Harder They Fall originally went out with two different endings: in one, Eddie Willis demanded that boxing be banned altogether, while in the other, Willis merely insisted that there be a federal investigation of the prizefighting business. The videotape version contains the "harder" denouement, while most TV prints end with the "softer" message. Hal Erickson, Rovi
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Add this copy of The Harder They Fall to cart. $18.50, very good condition, Sold by HPB-Movies rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2003 by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.
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Jan Sterling, Humphrey Bogart, Rod Steiger, Michael Lane, Max Baer, Edward Andrews. Very good. 1956 Run time: 109. Providing great media since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Digital copy/codes may be expired or not included. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of The Harder They Fall [Dvd] to cart. $18.97, very good condition, Sold by Goodwill of Orange County rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Santa Ana, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2003.
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Very good. This item has very light surface scratches that do not affect the use of the disc/s. This is a USED item. Case and cover may or may not have wear or damage. All items unless otherwise noted will include disc, case, and artwork. Codes have been used. Other contents such as booklets may vary, please inquire for details. All items ship Monday-Friday within 2-3 business days.
Add this copy of The Harder They Fall [Dvd] to cart. $18.98, fair condition, Sold by Goodwill Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Hillsboro, OR, UNITED STATES, published 2003.
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Fair. May have light surface scratches. Case and cover artwork are included but their condition may vary. If applicable: Digital copy or ultraviolet codes may be expired or not included. Slipcover may not be included.
Add this copy of The Harder They Fall (1956) [ Non-Usa Format, Pal, Reg to cart. $37.76, good condition, Sold by Goodwill of Silicon Valley rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from San Jose, CA, UNITED STATES, published 1956.
Boxing has always had a fascination for me, and for a time I followed it closely. I have used the time afforded by the pandemic to watch some boxing films I hadn't seen before, including "The Harder They Fall", a 1956 movie directed by Mark Robson and based upon a novel of the same name by Bud Schulberg. The movie saw the final appearance of Humphrey Bogart (1899 -- 1957) who was terminally ill with cancer during its production and who died, age 57, shortly after its completion.
"The Harder They Fall" captures the seamy, violent, and corrupt world of professional boxing. Bogart stars as Eddie Willis, an out of work sportscaster who is hired by a crooked fight promoter Nick Benko (Rod Sterling), Willis is hired to publicize a new, unknown Argentinian heavyweight, Toro Moreno (Mark Lane, who also was a professional wrestler), Moreno is a large, towering strong man who lacks boxing skills and can neither punch nor take a punch. His fights all will be fixed and phony.
Much of the movie shows the interplay between Willis and Benko. The tension between the two smolders and builds throughout the film. Willis has some feelings of conscience but puts his feelings aside in his efforts to make money and to secure the material things of life and the respect which he believes comes from having money and a highly visible career.. Benko together with most of his large retinue are vicious. They care nothing for their fighters and seek only to make money through bribery, corruption and violence. Toro Moreno for his part is a decent, naive individual and is used unmercifully by the gang. He slowly comes to realize what is going on.
The movie features many unusually brutal fight scenes with none of the sentimentality films often bring to boxing. The many fixed fights are realistically portrayed as is the brutality of the few unfixed fights. Several world class boxers had important roles in this film including Max Baer, as heavyweight champion Buddy Brannen and Jersey Joe Walcott as Toro's trainer, George. The machinations of the boxing gang are portrayed in their disregard for their fighters, in their corrupt, unconscionable dealings, and in their high living replete with lavish expense accounts, extensive food and booze, and prostitutes. The cinematography of the film is outstanding throughout in the fight scenes, the scenes between Willis and Benko, the views of the streets and waters of New York City, and the travels of the Benko entourage from California through small midwestern towns leading to Chicago and ultimately back to New York City for the anticipated large payday. Bogart's performance as the reluctant publicity man is reserved and understated while Steiger offers an utterly different acting approach in his fiery and aggressive characterization of Benko. Among many other striking scenes, the film includes a portrayal of a former boxer who has been battered senseless during his ring career and who wanders the streets of the Bowery, pathetic, penniless, and alone.
This film takes an utterly harsh view of the boxing world and its gangsterism. The film was much more negative towards boxing than was Budd Schulberg, the author of the book on which the film was based. This tension was reflected particularly at the end of the film. The ending used in this Amazon version, as in most current versions, is more restrained it its attitude towards the sport than the film's original version.
I learned a great deal from Eddie Muller in his introductory and concluding remarks to the film in his "Noir Alley" series. Muller discusses the background of the movie, the different acting styles of Bogart and Steiger, the film's alternative endings, legal action concerning the film, and much more. "The Harder They Fall" is an outstanding film for those fascinated by the harsh world of boxing and for the many admirers of Humphrey Bogart.
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