Your favorite boxing movies?

[BigRight]

I think Raging Bull is brilliant, it is well acted and beautiful shot. Some moments in the ring are pure visual poetry, it is representative of the sweet science without trying to glorify or villify the sport. Its perfectls done. As far as doc's go, I really like the Thrilla In Manilla doc, Joe Frazier was quite something in this film.

[rocky_balboa23]

CINDERELLA MAN. f@cking brilliant movie with f@cking brilliant performances by some f@cking brilliant actors.

[JAB5239]

I know I'm in the vast minority, but I hated Raging Bull. And I loved the book which I had read before I ever saw the movie.

The book was ok, but I've read many boxing books that were better, but the film is WAY over rated.

[joseph5620]

The book was ok, but I've read many boxing books that were better, but the film is WAY over rated.

I have low standards for boxing movies because most of the time they don't turn out well IMO. I think Raging Bull was one of the better ones. I read the book too. Just watched "The harder they fall" recently and it was excellent. "The fighter" was a lot better than expected for me. The acting was great.

[JAB5239]

I have low standards for boxing movies because most of the time they don't turn out well IMO. I think Raging Bull was one of the better ones. I read the book too. Just watched "The harder they fall" recently and it was excellent. "The fighter" was a lot better than expected for me. The acting was great.

I thought "The fighter" was pretty good but I went in not expecting much. I really liked "The harder they fall", but the gold standard for me will always be the first "Rocky" movie. Im sure a lot of that has to do with me being Italian-American, the impressionable age I was when it came out and the fact that I told my parents I wanted to drink raw eggs when we got home only to puke them back up on the sink with the yolks still unbroken. But hey, that's just me.

[joseph5620]

I thought "The fighter" was pretty good but I went in not expecting much. I really liked "The harder they fall", but the gold standard for me will always be the first "Rocky" movie. Im sure a lot of that has to do with me being Italian-American, the impressionable age I was when it came out and the fact that I told my parents I wanted to drink raw eggs when we got home only to puke them back up on the sink with the yolks still unbroken. But hey, that's just me.

Oh for sure, Jab. That would be my number 1 pick. That movie was brilliant. And I'm not even Italian LOL

[JAB5239]

Oh for sure, Jab. That would be my number 1 pick. That movie was brilliant. And I'm not even Italian LOL

I seem to remember reading somewhere that Stallone originally wanted Earnie Shavers as Apollo Creed. No way that movie is as good without Carl Weathers and the rest of the cast that was put together. Burt Young, Talia Shire, Burgess Meredith. What a movie!

[joseph5620]

I seem to remember reading somewhere that Stallone originally wanted Earnie Shavers as Apollo Creed. No way that movie is as good without Carl Weathers and the rest of the cast that was put together. Burt Young, Talia Shire, Burgess Meredith. What a movie!

That's true, Jab. But actually Stallone approached Ernie Shavers for the role of Clubber Lang. There are different stories why Shevers didn't get IT. One says that Shavers was not able to pull his punches enough during fight scenes. The other was that Ernie didn't have the intimidating voice that they needed. I tend to believe more of the latter that Ernie just could cut it as an actor for that part.


I alos read that Ken Norton was considered for the part of Apollo Creed. That just wouldn't have worked IMO. Also the studio didn't want stallone and were seeking a Ryan O'neal or James Caan. Stallone wouldn't budge and you have to admire him for that. But like you said, that cast was great! Would like to see more of Burt Young these days.

20 years after that movie was made I was in high school watching it to pump myself for high school wrestling. I can talk about that movie all day LOL

[JAB5239]

That's true, Jab. But actually Stallone approached Ernie Shavers for the role of Clubber Lang. There are different stories why Shevers didn't get. One says that Shavers was not able to pull his punches enough during fight scenes. The other was that Ernie didn't have the intimidating voice that they needed. I tend to believe more of the latter that Ernie just could cut it as an actor for that part.


I alos read that Ken Norton was considered for the part of Apollo Creed. That just wouldn't have worked IMO. Also the studio didn't want stallone and were seeking a Ryan O'neal or James Caan. Stallone wouldn't budge and you have to admire him for that. But like you said, that cast was great! Would like to see more of Burt Young these days.

20 years after that movie was made I was in high school watching it to pump myself for high school wrestling. I can talk about that movie all day LOL

That was it!!

[Barn]

I read somewhere that Stallone sparred Earnie Shavers, and Earnie refused to hit him with more than a light jab, Stallone tying to entice him said "Come on Earnie is that all you got." Shavers then let rip a left hook to the body and Stallone was in the toilet for 2 hours.