The Harder They Fall (1956)

100% of critics liked it
(10 reviews)
77% of users liked it
(1,920 ratings)

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… More 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

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 49 min.
Directed By: Mark Robson
Written By: Budd Schulberg / Philip Yordan
Genres: Drama, Mystery & Suspense, Classics

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1956 Wide
On DVD: Jan 21, 2003

Critic Reviews

Prairie Miller, NewsBlaze
Honored as the greatest male star in the history of American cinema by the American Film Institute, the late iconic Humphrey Bogart is now similarly memorialized with the re-release of this screen classic compilation.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
In this noir sports melodrama, which is his final screen role, Bogart gives a powerful performance.
Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena
O último filme de Bogie traz o veterano em mais uma ótima atuação (ainda que Steiger quase roube o show) e é suficientemente ambicioso, ainda que um tanto maniqueísta. ... uma pena, também, que as lutas sejam tão mal encenadas.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
Fairly gritty and potent for its time, director Mark Robson (The Seventh Victim) delivers some terrifically brutal fight footage.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
The unwell Bogie's last film is not a knockout, but his hard-hitting performance is terrific.
Ryan Cracknell, Apollo Guide
Even in a film where everyone seems to end up a loser, Humphrey Bogart finishes his career with a solid Bogie performance.
Forrest Hartman, Reno Gazette-Journal
Both [Rod] Steiger and [Humphrey] Bogart deliver outstanding performances, and director Mark Robson (Peyton Place, Valley of the Dolls) paces the action deftly.

Read all 7 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Graham J

Bogart's last film has many flaws, but his performance is so great, it makes this a memorable film.
Lanning :

Not Bogart's greatest, but a sure sign that even in his later films, he could still project a presence that could command the screen. Another chance for him to play the tough guy with a good heart. Steiger is a great jerk in this one.
Mike T

The final chapter in Bogart's career is a fantastic one. This is a powerful study of corruption and manipulation, and one of the best crime-dramas I've seen from its era. Humphrey Bogart is terrific in the lead role.
cody f

Bogie goes out with a bang! He was dying of cancer while making this film and his intensity never wanes. Very enjoyable film about a gambler(Steiger) and a down and out sports writer (Bogie) hyping a bum of a boxer all the way to the title. The boxing scenes are not very convincing,… More
Bogie goes out with a bang! He was dying of cancer while making this film and his intensity never wanes. Very enjoyable film about a gambler(Steiger) and a down and out sports writer (Bogie) hyping a bum of a boxer all the way to the title. The boxing scenes are not very convincing, but the acting and story makes you not care. Bogie is good as always, but this film belongs to Steiger. Steiger has become one of my favorite character actors in recent years and he is in top form in this film. If you like Hump and Rod then this is a must see!

Cast

            Humphrey Bogart as Eddie Willis

            Rod Steiger as Nick Benko

            Jan Sterling as Beth Willis

            Mike Lane as Toro Moreno

            Max Baer Jr. as Buddy Brannen

            Jersey Joe Walcott as George

            Edward Andrews as Jim Weyerhause

            Harold J. Stone as Art Leavitt

            Carlos Montalban as Luis Agrandi

            Nehemiah Persoff as Leo

            Felice Orlandi as Vince Fawcett

            Herbie Faye as Max

            Rusty Lane as Danny McKeogh

            Jack Albertson as Pop

            Val Avery as Frank

            Tommy Herman as Tommy

            Vinnie de Carlo as Joey

            Pat Comiskey as Gus Dundee

            Matt Murphy as Sailor Rigazzo

            Abel Fernandez as Chief Firebird

            Marian Carr as Alice

            Tina Carver as Mrs. Benko

            Lillian Culver as Mrs Harding

            Jack Daly as Reporter

            Patricia Dane as Shirley

            Elaine Edwards as Vince's Girl Friend

            Everett Glass as Minister

            Frank S. Hagney as Referee

            Mort Mills as Reporter

            Stafford Repp as Reporter

            William Roerick as Lawyer

            Sandy Sanders as Reporter

            Charles Tannen as Reporter

            Paul H. Frees as Priest

            Don Kohler as Reporter

            Diana Mumby
            
            Russ Whiteman as Reporter

            Emily Belser as Reporter

            Ralph Gamble
            
            Joe Herrera
            
            Mark Scott
            
            J. Lewis Smith as Brannen's Manager

            Tony Blankley as Benko's Son

            Richard Norris as Reporter
See full cast