
The Harder They Fall
Seen it?1956 | 109 min | Drama
Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
Critics loved it (100% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had soft box office. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
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 Raging Bull or Southpaw, 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 49 min.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1956: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
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.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
100% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
7.2 out of 10
- AwardsBelow par
Nominated for 1 Oscar.
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$1 million worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 82K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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SouthpawSaturday SpecialAnother sports drama, and a Saturday Special.
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Hands of StoneSunday Safe BetAnother sports drama, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
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Cast & crew
Directed by Mark Robson
- Humphrey BogartEddie Willis
- Rod SteigerNick Benko
- Jan SterlingBeth Willis
- Mike LaneToro Moreno
- Max BaerBuddy Brannen
- Jersey Joe WalcottGeorge
- Edward AndrewsJim Weyerhause
- Harold J. StoneArt Leavitt, TV sportscaster
- Carlos MontalbánLuís Agrandi
- Nehemiah PersoffLeo