Comwayon A Disappointing Continuation

Maidexpl Entertaining from beginning to end, it maintains the spirit of the franchise while establishing it's own seal with a fun cast

Ogosmith Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.

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

JasparLamarCrabb Ralph Nelson's hard hitting adaptation of Rod Serling's teleplay features a grotesque performance by Anthony Quinn as a punched drunk boxer struggling to come to terms with the fact that his career is over. He's helped (in vain) by employment placement specialist Julie Harris and stymied by shifty manager Jackie Gleason. The film is all about the acting and it's top notch. Quinn, who at times is a bit inaudible, carries the film and is in virtually every scene. Harris is terrific in an unlikely role and Gleason is very potent as a degenerate gambler facing mounting financial woes. The stunning B&W cinematography is by Arthur J Ornitz and there's a dynamite score by Laurence Rosenthal. Mickey Rooney, Stanley Adams and Madame Spivy (as "Ma") co-star.

audiohead44 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.

wes-connors 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

djkla Like so many others have already said, this is a great film, and one that I've watched many, many times since the late-1960's. Somewhere along the line, though, it was unceremoniously edited by someone who should've left it alone. The cut to which I refer involves an exchange between Maish Reynolds and Ma Greeney at the end of the film. Reynold's has narrowly escaped death at the hands of Greeney's goons, and in that moment, Reynold's vindictively intones to Greeney, "I wish you were a man." Greeney laughs out loud and replies, "Maishey darling, that's the nicest thing anyone ever said to me!" Maybe some of you remember it, but it has been many years since any version I've seen still has it.