Bill Flynn (John Voight) works in the back-stretch at Hialeah when no drinking or gambling his money . He is an alcoholic ex-boxer who struggles to provide a good living for his son T. J. Flynn (Ricky Schroder at his absolute best) . Despite his frequent binges, his frequent gambling and their squalid living conditions , T. J. loves his alcoholic father, ex-heavyweight boxing champion . His son calls him Champ and he tells his friends about his father's comeback , which never seems to happen . Flynn was badly wounded in his last bout , his only loss , and fear prevents him from going back into the ring . When Bill loses the horse gambling and winds up in jail after a drunken tirade, he realizes T. J's place is with his mother (Faye Dunaway) . T. J tearfully goes but sneaks out and returns at his first opportunity , filling a depressed Bill with a desire to make good. So Bill goes into training after his managers arrange a boxing match with a world champion. The knockout picture of the year! . The More You Love, The Harder You Fight !. Loved this boy of his more than anything else in the world-but knew that the best thing he could do for him was to go out of his life forever...A world of pathos and cheer in a picture you will never forget. Here's The Picture We're Proud to Recommend To You - Words Can Not Describe It! If You've Got a Heart in You...You'll laugh and cry like a child, unashamed! Don't fail to get a ringside seat!
This remake is a first-classs tearjerker about a father and his son who are separated against their will. Dealing with an attractive and poignant love-triangle of all - a father, his son, and the woman who came between them. The main reason for this stunning flick turns out to be Ricky Schroder. This little actor projects joy , sensibility , wisdom , fear , and innocence equally well . The fabulous trio protagonist : John Voight , Ricky Schroder , Faye Dunaway are stunningly accompanied by a very good support cast , such as : Jack Warden , Arthur Hill ,Strother Martin , Joan Blondell , Elisha Cook Jr. , Joe Tornatore, Dana Elcar, Randall 'Tex' Cobb , among others . This is a pretty good film , though it results to be a simple remake to superior The Champ 1931 by King Vidor with Wallace Beery who won Oscar-winning title role as Andy 'Champ' Purcell , Jackie Cooper and Irene Rich .
It contains exquisite cinematography by magnificent cameraman Fred J. Koenekamp . Unforgettable and hauntingly wonderful musical score by Dave Grusin. The motion picture was well directed by Franco Zeffirelli. Notorious Italian writer/director Franco Zeffirelli manages to make even the hokiest bits of hokum work in this four-hankie feast of sentimentality .He was a production designer and director, known for The taming of shrew (1967), Romeo and Juliet (1968), La Traviata (1982) , Champion , Jane Eyre , Endless Love , Hamlet , Otello , Turandot , Sparrow , Callas Forever and the TV series Jesus of Nazareth . Received a Special 1962 Tony Award "for designs and direction of the Old Vic's 'Romeo and Juliet'." The following year, in 1963, he was nominated for Broadway's Tony Award as Best Scenic Designer for "The Lady of the Camellias." Being one of eight Italians to have been nominated for the Academy Award for 'Best Director'. Rating : 7/10. Worthwhile watching , better than average .
This remake is a first-classs tearjerker about a father and his son who are separated against their will. Dealing with an attractive and poignant love-triangle of all - a father, his son, and the woman who came between them. The main reason for this stunning flick turns out to be Ricky Schroder. This little actor projects joy , sensibility , wisdom , fear , and innocence equally well . The fabulous trio protagonist : John Voight , Ricky Schroder , Faye Dunaway are stunningly accompanied by a very good support cast , such as : Jack Warden , Arthur Hill ,Strother Martin , Joan Blondell , Elisha Cook Jr. , Joe Tornatore, Dana Elcar, Randall 'Tex' Cobb , among others . This is a pretty good film , though it results to be a simple remake to superior The Champ 1931 by King Vidor with Wallace Beery who won Oscar-winning title role as Andy 'Champ' Purcell , Jackie Cooper and Irene Rich .
It contains exquisite cinematography by magnificent cameraman Fred J. Koenekamp . Unforgettable and hauntingly wonderful musical score by Dave Grusin. The motion picture was well directed by Franco Zeffirelli. Notorious Italian writer/director Franco Zeffirelli manages to make even the hokiest bits of hokum work in this four-hankie feast of sentimentality .He was a production designer and director, known for The taming of shrew (1967), Romeo and Juliet (1968), La Traviata (1982) , Champion , Jane Eyre , Endless Love , Hamlet , Otello , Turandot , Sparrow , Callas Forever and the TV series Jesus of Nazareth . Received a Special 1962 Tony Award "for designs and direction of the Old Vic's 'Romeo and Juliet'." The following year, in 1963, he was nominated for Broadway's Tony Award as Best Scenic Designer for "The Lady of the Camellias." Being one of eight Italians to have been nominated for the Academy Award for 'Best Director'. Rating : 7/10. Worthwhile watching , better than average .