The Harder They Fall (1956)
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100% of critics liked it
(10 reviews) -
79% of users liked it
(1,985 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
- Directed By
- Mark Robson
- Written By
- Budd Schulberg / Philip Yordan
- Genres
- Drama, Mystery & Suspense, Classics
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Jan 1, 1956 Wide
- Studio
- Sony Pictures Entertainment
Critic Reviews
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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.
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Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
In this noir sports melodrama, which is his final screen role, Bogart gives a powerful performance.
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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.
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Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
Fairly gritty and potent for its time, director Mark Robson (The Seventh Victim) delivers some terrifically brutal fight footage.
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
The unwell Bogie's last film is not a knockout, but his hard-hitting performance is terrific.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Featured Audience Ratings
Cast
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Humphrey Bogart
as Eddie Willis
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Rod Steiger
as Nick Benko
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Jan Sterling
as Beth Willis
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Mike Lane
as Toro Moreno
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Max Baer Jr.
as Buddy Brannen
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Jersey Joe Walcott
as George
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Edward Andrews
as Jim Weyerhause
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Harold J. Stone
as Art Leavitt
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Carlos Montalban
as Luis Agrandi
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Nehemiah Persoff
as Leo
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Felice Orlandi
as Vince Fawcett
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Herbie Faye
as Max
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Rusty Lane
as Danny McKeogh
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Jack Albertson
as Pop
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Val Avery
as Frank
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Tommy Herman
as Tommy
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Vinnie de Carlo
as Joey
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Pat Comiskey
as Gus Dundee
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Matt Murphy
as Sailor Rigazzo
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Abel Fernandez
as Chief Firebird
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Marian Carr
as Alice
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Tina Carver
as Mrs. Benko
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Lillian Culver
as Mrs Harding
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Jack Daly
as Reporter
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Patricia Dane
as Shirley
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Elaine Edwards
as Vince's Girl Friend
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Everett Glass
as Minister
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Frank S. Hagney
as Referee
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Mort Mills
as Reporter
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Stafford Repp
as Reporter
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William Roerick
as Lawyer
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Sandy Sanders
as Reporter
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Charles Tannen
as Reporter
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Paul H. Frees
as Priest
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Don Kohler
as Reporter
- Diana Mumby
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Russ Whiteman
as Reporter
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Emily Belser
as Reporter
- Ralph Gamble
- Joe Herrera
- Mark Scott
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J. Lewis Smith
as Brannen's Manager
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Tony Blankley
as Benko's Son
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Richard Norris
as Reporter
