Monday Morning Maybe

Add your email and we'll match picks to the services you stream at home.

Poster for Body and Soul

Body and Soul

Seen it?

1947 | 104 min | Drama

Friday Night Flickearly rating

Why it’s a Friday Night Flick

Critics loved it (92% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it won an Oscar. Make plans for this one.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for anyone who loves a strong drama. If you loved The Natural, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Thoughtful and character-driven.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 44 min.
What might put you off
  • Made in 1947: an older pace and style.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

Charley Davis, against the wishes of his mother, becomes a boxer. As he becomes more successful the fighter becomes surrounded by shady characters, including an unethical promoter named Roberts, who tempt the man with a number of vices. Charley finds himself faced with increasingly difficult choices.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    92% on Rotten Tomatoes

  • AudiencesSolid

    6.7 out of 10

  • AwardsStrong

    Won 1 Oscar: Academy Awards: Best Film Editing. Also nominated for 2 more Oscars.

  • Box office & staying powerBelow par

    $5 million worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactBelow par

    About 22K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

More like this

Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks

Cast & crew

Directed by Robert Rossen

  • John GarfieldCharley Davis
  • Lilli PalmerPeg Born
  • Hazel BrooksAlice
  • Anne RevereAnna Davis
  • William ConradQuinn
  • Joseph PevneyShorty Polaski
  • Lloyd GoughRoberts
  • Canada LeeBen Chaplin
  • Larry AnzaloneFighter Being Knocked Out (uncredited)
  • Al BainClub Patron (uncredited)