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Champion

Play trailer Poster for Champion Released Apr 9, 1949 1h 39m Drama Romance Play Trailer Watchlist
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94% Tomatometer 16 Reviews 74% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
Scrappy Michael "Midge" Kelly (Kirk Douglas), on the run from a shotgun marriage and needing to help support his handicapped brother, Connie (Arthur Kennedy), angles his way into a short-term job as a boxer. His life of hard knocks has given Midge a fiery temper and a will to win that quickly makes him one of the most popular fighters on the circuit. But when he gets instructed to take a dive in a championship bout, his bosses learn that no one tells Midge Kelly what to do.
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Champion

Critics Reviews

View All (16) Critics Reviews
Christy Lemire Associated Press A tight, gripping drama worth more to the movie customer than many multi-million epics. Jun 19, 2019 Full Review THR Staff The Hollywood Reporter Frank Planer's photography has much drama as the script as it begins to tell the story right under the titles and continues compelling on its course through the grim, relentless narrative. Apr 9, 2019 Full Review Tom Milne Time Out The Set-Up, made the same year, is infinitely superior. Jun 24, 2006 Full Review Elsa Branden Photoplay Long, loud cheers for the season's smashing movie of the fight game. Rated: 2/3 Aug 20, 2021 Full Review Michael J. Casey Michael J. Cinema In another movie, maybe a Hollywood melodrama, Kelly's defiance, and individualism would be celebrated, maybe even lauded, treating Kelly's rise from rags to riches as something distinctly American and noble. Rated: 3.5/5 Apr 12, 2021 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com In his first Oscar nomination in Mark Robson's compelling melodrama, Kirk Douglas gives a ferociously realistic performance as a boxer determined to succeed at all costs. Rated: A- Jul 6, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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RICHARD S I won't reiterate the plot here. Douglas surprisingly effective in a demanding role in which his character evolves from a likeable post-war ambitious young man into a successful prizefighter who sacrifices personal relationships for the glory of the ring. You end up disrespecting him and his values and grieve for the people he leaves in his wake. A just ending to a sad, but compelling, story. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 11/09/24 Full Review Leaburn O A reasonable boxing pic about a guy who goes from the gutter to world champ, loses his way a bit with women and friends etc. standard stuff but actually a decent ending that I wasn't expecting. Terrible boxing by Kirk as always in these films. Watched this on Sky cinema. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 10/16/23 Full Review steve d I am not much for this kind of film but Douglas gives one of his best performances. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member Although it hardly breaks new ground, even back then, in terms of sports drama, Champion still tells a compelling and believable story of a gifted fighter with more ambition than loyalty. Kirk Douglas is great, and the film editing won an Oscar. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/16/23 Full Review s r A complicated drama. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member A true masterpiece from start to finish. This film is worth adding to your collection. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/22/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Champion

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Champion

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Movie Info

Synopsis Scrappy Michael "Midge" Kelly (Kirk Douglas), on the run from a shotgun marriage and needing to help support his handicapped brother, Connie (Arthur Kennedy), angles his way into a short-term job as a boxer. His life of hard knocks has given Midge a fiery temper and a will to win that quickly makes him one of the most popular fighters on the circuit. But when he gets instructed to take a dive in a championship bout, his bosses learn that no one tells Midge Kelly what to do.
Director
Mark Robson
Producer
Stanley Kramer
Screenwriter
Carl Foreman, Ring Lardner
Distributor
United Artists
Production Co
Screen Plays Corp.
Genre
Drama, Romance
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 9, 1949, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
May 1, 2012
Runtime
1h 39m
Sound Mix
Mono
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.37:1)
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