The Harder They Fall (1956)
No Punches Pulled! If you thought 'On The Waterfront' hit hard... wait till you see this one!
Starring Humphrey Bogart, Rod Steiger, Jan Sterling
Directed by Mark Robson
Jobless sportswriter Eddie Willis is hired by corrupt fight promoter Nick Benko to promote his current protégé, an unknown Argentinian boxer named Toro Moreno. Although Moreno is a hulking giant, his chances for success are hampered by a powder-puff punch and a glass jaw. Exploiting Willis' reputation for integrity and standing in the boxing community, Benko arranges a series of fixed fights that propel the unsophisticated Moreno to #1 contender for the championship. The reigning champ, the sadistic Buddy Brannen, harbors resentment at the publicity Toro has been receiving and vows to viciously punish him in the ring. Eddie must now decide whether or not to tell the naive Toro the truth.
Runtime: 109 min.
Rating: 7.2
DVD
Languages: English,Spanish
Countries: United States of America
Genres: Drama
Keywords: pride,tall man,fixed fight,corrupt system,press agent,broken jaw
Cast
Eddie Willis
Nick Benko
Beth Willis
Toro Moreno
Buddy Brannen
George
Jim Weyerhause
Art Leavitt, TV sportscaster
Luís Agrandi
Leo
Vince Fawcett
Max
Danny McKeogh
Pop
Priest
Fight Arena Locker Room Guard
Reporter at Hospital
Ringsider (uncredited)
Fight Crowd Spectator
Fight Crowd Spectator
Party Guest