Directed by:
Mark RobsonScreenplay:
Philip YordanCinematography:
Burnett GuffeyComposer:
Hugo FriedhoferCast:
Humphrey Bogart, Rod Steiger, Jan Sterling, Max Baer, Edward Andrews, Harold J. Stone, Nehemiah Persoff, Felice Orlandi, Jack Albertson, Robert Fuller (more)VOD (1)
Plots(1)
Broke and without work, newspaper reporter Eddie Willis (Humphrey Bogart) agrees to work for the corrupt boxing promoter Nick Benko (Rod Steiger) to help hype his new boxer, Toro Moreno (Mike Lane). While Toro is beastly in appearance, he has no actual boxing talent, and all his fights are fixed. When Toro gets a shot at the title against the brutal Buddy Brannen (Max Baer), Willis is faced with the tough decision of whether or not to tell Toro that his entire career is a sham. (Umbrella Entertainment)
(more)Reviews (1)
Humphrey Bogart ended his career on a high note. While his final film role might not be his most iconic, it certainly deserves attention. It's quite fitting that he concluded his career with a role like this — Bogart embodies the archetype of his classic characters, providing a sentimental capstone to a career that ended too soon. Bogie was a true professional, giving his all even when he knew his time was short. I’ll always admire him for that. I enjoy boxing dramas, and this one delves more into the behind-the-scenes machinations than the struggles of the fighters, though those are well represented by the character Toro Moreno. His relationship with sportswriter Eddie Willis, who initially exploits him but later grapples with his conscience to make a morally right yet personally costly decision, is the film's core. The final scene serves as a beautiful epilogue to the illustrious career of one of cinema's greatest legends.
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