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The Champ

Play trailer Poster for The Champ PG 1979 2h 2m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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40% Tomatometer 25 Reviews 81% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
Billy (Jon Voight) used to be a great boxer, but he's settled into a hardscrabble life that revolves around drinking, training horses, and the one bright spot in his existence -- his young son, T.J. (Ricky Schroder). Although Billy has had custody of T.J. since his wife, Annie (Faye Dunaway), left the family years ago, her return prompts a new struggle for the former fighter. Determined to hold on to T.J., Billy gets back into the ring to try and recapture his past success.
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The Champ

Critics Reviews

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Bob Thomas Associated Press 11/08/2021
The entire production is first-class, reminiscent of MGM in its heyday. Go to Full Review Michael Booth Denver Post 04/01/2007
A three-alarm, three-hanky movie of the highest order, perfect for your kids who don't get to see many truly sad films. Go to Full Review Dave Kehr Chicago Reader 04/01/2007
The tear-jerking is so determined and persistent that your ducts feel as if they'd been worked over with a catheter. Go to Full Review Tom Cassidy Common Sense Media 04/13/2022
4/5
This 1979 drama has moments of excitement to keep it interesting and heaps of real emotion, making it a compelling drama. But while you shouldn't expect to maintain dry eyes, The Champ is much more than a misery parade. Go to Full Review Stephen Farber New West/California 11/03/2021
This film has only two moods: the mawkish and the maudlin. Go to Full Review David Nusair Reel Film Reviews 01/22/2020
2/4
...an often egregiously deliberate drama that rarely (if ever) wholeheartedly grabs the viewer's interest and attention... Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Oscar F Nov 10 great movie, great acting, made me cry... See more Alec B Mar 30 A bloated and overwrought mess (really makes you appreciate the original, which never wastes a second). Not a single emotional moment lands here, which given that this is supposed to be a "weepy" is a massive problem. See more CodyZamboni Z 11/20/2024 Movie goes all in on the sentimentality, The boxing stuff only occupies a small part of this movie, But final scene still gets me, and Faye Dunaway is stunningly beautiful. See more KB B @Okbullard 06/27/2024 This was such a compelling movie that I'd completely forgotten about. It has great acting and storyline. It's definitely a tearjerker and worth the watch. 40%...Hmmmmm See more Suzanne C 06/15/2024 This was my favorite movie as a kid. Major tear jerker! See more jacob b 01/03/2023 I'm not going to go around saying that this is the best movie ever or anything (guys, I've seen 12 Years a Slave and that film's definitely a major tearjerker) and, remake or not, the boxing angle feels to me like MGM is cashing in on Rocky's massive success but overall, I do think The Champ is an effective drama. The performances are top-notch, the dynamic between father and son is compelling and of course, it's really sad. It's not a neverending parade of misery but the sad scenes really stick, even before the ending. Mostly scenes relating to Faye Dunaway as the mother whom Jon Voight has told his son was dead (it was a very bitter divorce). The scene where the dad was in jail and reluctantly broke his son's heart was the most memorable moment for me. Is The Champ strictly required viewing for boxing fans? Probably not. Boxing doesn't factor into the story until the third act. But if you feel like watching something a bit more on the angst side without being too bleak, The Champ seems like a good choice to me...and certain audiences also get a chance to see late 30's Jon Voight shirtless so you can maybe see where his daughter Angelina Jolie gets her good looks from ;) (it actually says something about the direction and acting that the scenes don't lose their dramatic edge during these moments that would be perceived as gratuitous). See more Read all reviews
The Champ

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Cast & Crew

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Franco Zeffirelli

Director

Jon Voight

Billy

Faye Dunaway

Annie

Ricky Schroder

T.J.

Jack Warden

Jackie

Arthur Hill

Mike

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The Champ

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Movie Info

Synopsis Billy (Jon Voight) used to be a great boxer, but he's settled into a hardscrabble life that revolves around drinking, training horses, and the one bright spot in his existence -- his young son, T.J. (Ricky Schroder). Although Billy has had custody of T.J. since his wife, Annie (Faye Dunaway), left the family years ago, her return prompts a new struggle for the former fighter. Determined to hold on to T.J., Billy gets back into the ring to try and recapture his past success.
Director
Franco Zeffirelli
Producer
Dyson Lovell
Screenwriter
Walter Newman
Production Co
Metro Goldwyn Mayer
Rating
PG
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 20, 1979, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
May 1, 2008
Runtime
2h 2m
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