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Requiem for a Heavyweight

Play trailer Poster for Requiem for a Heavyweight 1962 1h 27m Drama Sports Play Trailer Watchlist
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89% Tomatometer 46 Reviews 87% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
Fictional aging heavyweight Louis Mountain Rivera (Anthony Quinn) is felled by young Cassius Clay, the future Muhammad Ali, and finds his professional career over. His manipulative manager (Jackie Gleason) owes money on bets placed against Rivera, and convinces him to become a wrestler. Humiliated by the notion, Rivera examines the few options available in the afterglow of a boxing career. Rivera is broken and battered, but he continues to have the support of his trainer (Mickey Rooney).
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Requiem for a Heavyweight

Requiem for a Heavyweight

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Critics Consensus

Requiem for a Heavyweight is a stirring character study of a battered boxer that may at times pummel its message yet finely retains cinematic métier and human nobility.

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Critics Reviews

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Marjory Adams Boston Globe This film is an honest, compassionate film in which fear, meanness, and sadism compete with generosity, loyalty, and plain shining goodness. Feb 14, 2023 Full Review Kate Cameron New York Daily News [The performers] all lend an emotional quality to the action that quickens the pulse of the audience. Rated: 3.5/4 Feb 14, 2023 Full Review Mae Tinee Chicago Tribune It's terse and unvarnished and carries a terrific impact. Feb 14, 2023 Full Review Jane Corby Brooklyn Daily Eagle There is an appealingly human quality about this film that may well get to any adult audience, even to those who never had a glove laid on them or even saw a prize fight. Feb 14, 2023 Full Review Sandra Saunders Philadelphia Daily News ... A moving and compassionate study of a man struggling to maintain his personal dignity and integrity in a world that no longer has a place for him. Feb 14, 2023 Full Review Jay Carmody Washington Star “Requiem for a Heavyweight” is assured a top rung among 1962’s movies. Man's subhumanity to man is the theme of the film. Feb 14, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Tony S A prize fighter for 17 years, his career ends with being knocked out by Cassius Clay. With nowhere to turn, Mountain Rivera becomes Chief Mountain Rivera and resorts to professional wrestling. There's melancholy written all over this story. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 11/29/24 Full Review Audience Member movie,"Requiem for a Heavyweight"(1962) is a GREAT MOVIE to SEE! (I saw this at 7:30am(CT) Monday May 20, 2019 (on my TV(Spectrum channel 1248(KTBCDT2),of channel name "Movies!")(FREE(no CHARGE$) to see this movie)).) (I wrote this comment here at 9:46am(CT) Monday May 20, 2019, from GREAT city: Austin, Texas(TX).) Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/13/23 Full Review ashley h Requiem for a Heavyweight is an excellent film. It is about a Mountain Rivera who is mauled in a fight and forced to quit boxing. Anthony Quinn and Jackie Gleason give fantastic performances. The script is well written. Ralph Nelson did a great job directing this movie. I enjoyed watching this motion picture because of the drama. Requiem for a Heavyweight is a must see. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Not overly long but to the point. This is a serious old film nobody talks about, except mentioned by Jay Leno a few times. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/19/23 Full Review Audience Member Not a bad movie, if you like boxing movies then you should watch this one. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/14/23 Full Review Audience Member Sad movie about a stumbly bumbly fighter. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/18/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Requiem for a Heavyweight

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Cast & Crew

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Ralph Nelson

Director

Anthony Quinn

Louis "Mountain" Rivera

Jackie Gleason

Maish Rennick

Mickey Rooney

Army

Julie Harris

Grace Miller

Stanley Adams

Perelli

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Requiem for a Heavyweight

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Movie Info

Synopsis Fictional aging heavyweight Louis Mountain Rivera (Anthony Quinn) is felled by young Cassius Clay, the future Muhammad Ali, and finds his professional career over. His manipulative manager (Jackie Gleason) owes money on bets placed against Rivera, and convinces him to become a wrestler. Humiliated by the notion, Rivera examines the few options available in the afterglow of a boxing career. Rivera is broken and battered, but he continues to have the support of his trainer (Mickey Rooney).
Director
Ralph Nelson
Producer
David Susskind
Screenwriter
Rod Serling
Distributor
Columbia Pictures
Production Co
Columbia Pictures
Genre
Drama, Sports
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 16, 1962, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 20, 2012
Runtime
1h 27m
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