With its frenetic motion, dynamic energy, inherent danger, and astonishing highs and unexpected lows, the prizefight was among the very first events ever captured by a motion-picture camera.
Rising in tandem with moviemaking in the twentieth century, the boxing film has produced everything from emotionally visceral masterpieces (Rocco and his Brothers, Raging Bull) to leftist film noir (Champion, The Set-Up) and triumphant documentary (When We Were Kings).
The new Criterion collection of propulsive, stylish, and subversive boxing dramas sheds light on the way filmmakers have used the sport to tell stories about social class and mobility, race and discrimination, gender and masculinity.
From larger-than-life heroes to the villainous fringes, this collection contains masterpieces, some of which still underrated or underestimated.
Major Films (in chronological order)
The Ring, Alfred Hitchcock, 1927
The Champ, King Vidor, 1931
Gentleman Jim, Raoul Walsh, 1942
Champion, Mark Robson, 1949
The Set-Up, Robert Wise, 1949
The Harder They Fall, Mark Robson, 1955
Somebody Up There Likes Me, Robert Wise, 1956
Rocco and His Brothers, Luchino Visconti, 1960
Requiem for a Heavyweight, Ralph Nelson, 1962
a.k.a. Cassius Clay, Jim Jacobs, 1970
Hammer, Bruce D. Clark, 1972
Fat City, John Huston, 1972
Raging Bull, Martin Scorsese, 1980
Fallen Champ: The Untold Story of Mike Tyson, Barbara Kopple, 1993
When We Were Kings, Leon Gast, 1996
Ring of Fire: The Emile Griffith Story, Dan Klores and Ron Berger, 2005
