What do you guys think of Primo Carnera?

[JAB5239]

Love Bogart too, The Harder They Fall and Requiem For a Heavyweight, but does everyone here really hate Rocky that much? I always thought it was a great underdog story. Liked the love story too. After the first 3, not much I can say to defend the series though, although thought the last one was well done, a good way to wrap up the series. Overall, it was enough for me to see him lose the title shot, win the rematch, defend the title and then regain it before retiring.

Rocky is my all time favorite boxing movie, but "The harder they fall" and "Requiem" are great, great movies. Some people jut can't relate because they're in black and white or they don't understand the lingo of the day. The latter is my problem with most older films, but being a boxing enthusiast I overlook it in great boxing films of old.

[Lucas Machine]

Well tbh, I didn't originally watch those films in contemporary settings. But I do know a good boxing movie when I see one. The Harder They Fall starred Humphrey Bogart and Rod Steiger. Requiem for a Heavyweight starred Anthony Quinn, Jackie Gleason, and Mickey Rooney. These are all time great actors in stellar performances. Certainly better than Sylvester Stallone.

You call these movies unrealistic, and I couldn't disagree more. They didn't glamorize boxing or rewrite history. They showed the worst side of the sport. No happy last scenes. Are they current? Of course not. But they are the two best boxing movies I've ever seen. Be honest, did you even watch either of these films, or did you just automatically disqualify them because they were in black and white?

Honestly I didn't see the entire film regarding either one. I have seen bits and pieces but it was not enjoyable or believable in contemporary times, so I lost interest. As of now there is nothing about either film that would intrigue me enough to watch it in it's entirety. But yes, I feel that way about most films in black and white. I did like birth of a nation which I thought was brilliant film making for it's time.

[Scott9945]

Honestly I didn't see the entire film regarding either one. I have seen bits and pieces but it was not enjoyable or believable in contemporary times, so I lost interest. As of now there is nothing about either film that would intrigue me enough to watch it in it's entirety. But yes, I feel that way about most films in black and white. I did like birth of a nation which I thought was brilliant film making for it's time.

Well at least I do appreciate you being honest about not seeing the films and being biased against anything filmed in b/w. I'm still watching new movies and if I ever see a better boxing movie than those I'll say it.

So what boxing movies would YOU recommend?

[Lucas Machine]

Well at least I do appreciate you being honest about not seeing the films and being biased against anything filmed in b/w. I'm still watching new movies and if I ever see a better boxing movie than those I'll say it.

So what boxing movies would YOU recommend?

Rocky 1-2, Raging bull would be my recommendation. I can actually sit through both and finish watching them. Also, both films feature relevant actors who are still living. Sorry, but I don't see thespians such as Jackie Gleason as a great actor by today's standards

[StarshipTrooper]

I did like birth of a nation which I thought was brilliant film making for it's time.

A Klan propaganda movie gets a thumbs up from you but you dump on real classics? Very revealing!

Poet

[mickey malone]

Easy to see why a thread about Carnera, becomes a discussion on old boxing movies. Seems he was more accomplished at playing the part, than he ever was at being it..

For me, it's Raging Bull, although a fond affinity for the oldies, ie Errol Flynn as Gentleman Jim, and Paul Newman's portrayal of Graziano, in Somebody up there likes me.

[Lucas Machine]

A Klan propaganda movie gets a thumbs up from you but you dump on real classics? Very revealing!

Poet

It was brilliant film making for it's time. Whether you like the content or not.

[Ray Corso]

Gleason is an underrated actor! Try Gigott or the Hustler comedy "Papas Deliquent Condition"!! Theres lots of good work by Gleason and he promoted tons of shows also! On his TV show he was the BOSS the networks did NOT control content! He was a mans man and loved boxing too!
As for boxing films I think Requiem is tuff to beat! I think the old Flynn film depicting JJ Corbett is terrific, the scene were Sullivan releases his belt to Corbett is excellant! When you see Ward Bond as Sullivan you'd picture Sullivan looking just like him!!!! hahaha he didn't!!!!
Newman as Rocky was another excellant film telling it as it was for Graziano,
the geographic lay outs in the NYC were perfect!

To me the best film about a fighter had alot of boxing technique in it but added a few extra techniques. Try out "Hard Times" with Colburn and Struthers Martin with Bronson as the "shooter"! This was a very real way to earn and if you were good you made alot more than pro boxers did in and around the depression times!! I know abit about this "form" of fighting!! Bronson could have boxed easily, very good hands and balance! Ray.

[StarshipTrooper]

It was brilliant film making for it's time. Whether you like the content or not.

I'm sure you can relate to Leni Riefenstahl's "Triumph des Willens" too :rolleyes9:

Poet

[Anthony342]

Rocky is my all time favorite boxing movie, but "The harder they fall" and "Requiem" are great, great movies. Some people jut can't relate because they're in black and white or they don't understand the lingo of the day. The latter is my problem with most older films, but being a boxing enthusiast I overlook it in great boxing films of old.

It used to be the black and white when I was a kid, now it's more the lingo, also the style of dialogue and melodramatic acting of older movies too. That's why most black and white movies I watch are usually grittier dramas and film noir, some heartwarming dramas, occasional comedy. I guess it took somebody like Brando to come along to change that and movie tough guys like McQueen, Newman, Bogart.