The Harder They Fall (1956)

To me, this movie is perfection.

Redundant and unnecessary.

Absolutely Brilliant!

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

It was so much more believable three or four decades ago. It's nothing to do with production or performances, it's that the writing leapfrogs certain points of development and the actors have to sell it. It looks like "On the Waterfront"; it wants to be "Requiem for a Heavyweight"; it has a plot equal to those but it just doesn't quite hit the mark and the fight choreography is what I remember as a kid realizing 'Hey, they're not really fighting'. Still, the story is good enough to make up for all that picking of nits. Classic

I only saw "The Harder They Fall" recently, because it was one of the few Humphrey Bogart films I had not seen, and a story about professional boxers and their managers isn't usually my cup of tea. So, I had avoided it for a long time. I had seen most of his early gangster films and his later detective films and then there's other miscellaneous films that stand out, like "Sabrina," "The Caine Mutiny" and "The African Queen." So Bogie has been in a lot of different genres of film and in all walks of life. But, as I started the film and watched more and more, I felt over and over again that this was the best performance of Bogart's that I had ever seen. This was a great last film, as Bogart would die sometime after making this film. I was thoroughly engrossed with (and frankly repulsed by) the film and just everything about it. These managers don't really look after "their property," but only their own pockets. Rod Steiger is one such person. Bogie, a former newspaperman and sportswriter known for his honorable reputation, is hired by Steiger as the publicity man and pitchman for Rod's latest "hot property," a very tall, broad guy, who incidentally is mashed potatoes in the ring. Rod has been trying to hire Bogie for years, but now when Bogie needs the job and more importantly the dough, Bogie agrees. This was raw and ugly in its depiction of this dog-eat-dog world, the boxers themselves being used and not even thought of as human. The managers pay off the boxers who will take the money to "fix" the fight. Any boxer with pride or personal integrity, who won't "fall," doesn't live long. Don't turn your back on these people! It made me glad I don't know anybody like them, and I don't want to. Jan Sterling as Bogie's wife gave a very subdued performance. Harold J. Stone, Nehemiah Persoff and Edward Andrews all excelled in their roles and added to the film's ruthlessness. I may never see Edward Andrews the same way again. He's usually in comedies. And, character actor Jack Albertson had a small role, along with Carlos Montalban having a supporting but memorable role. After having such a strong reaction to the film, I would have to say that I would see this again. It was very well made and hard hitting. If you don't feel affected by this film experience, check your pulse, or better yet go to the doctor and ask him to look for your heart!

it is not only a good film. it is wise adaptation of a good story. and scene for a great role for Humphrey Bogart. because it is more than his last role. it is essence of a hard work and demonstration of extraordinary talent. it is a parable or the picture of a world. it is the wise demonstration about the basic values who are the best form of resistance against the lie and evil. it is not easy to define the performance of Bogart. because, more than a song of swan, it represents a confession. not only as the last role but as testimony of a credo. not as good job but as the last word of a brilliant career. short, a film who must see it.

A relentless and rigorous dive into the world of Professional Boxing (circa 1956) and its effect on the Athletes and their exploitation and disregard. It is no surprise that this was a flop at the box-office at the time. It has since found its place in the Film-Noir world with its no holds barred expose of corruption.Notable for the last screen role for Humphrey Bogart it has much more to offer. Crisp hands-on Direction with the Cinematography and Lighting and Sets looking as bleak as the Story. It is an uncompromising and unsettling unfolding of a no-talent, but gargantuan, Boxer that believes he is unbeatable. But the fix is in and he is the last one to know. The result is heart-wrenching and real here, with the salty script and hard-boiled performances by all lending credulity with its cynicism and gutsy shout-out in an era of rigid conformity and a faith-based belief in the integrity of larger than life, celebrity based, and powerful institutions from Government to Show Business.This is a dreary and dreadful Fiction based on Fact. Character studies laced with as much pomp and spectacle as need be. There are unforgettable scenes with Bogart and Steiger as well as some just as memorable from the cheap seats.