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Allan C One of Paul Newman's first starring roles as real-life boxer Rocky Graziano is a dynamite biopic. From his youth as a NYC street tough from a broken home, committing petty crimes, he ends up in juvenile detention, then prison, and later in the army where he deserts, only to turn his life around when he sees his potential as a boxer. Newman is very much in his Actor's Studio Lee Strasberg method acting mode, which comes off very odd compared to when he'd later relax his acting style and embrace just being himself onscreen, which is what made him a star (Which is what most movie stars do. Jimmy Stewart, Cary Grant, or Tom Hanks are always just Jimmy, Cary, or Tom whether they are in a comedy, drama, or whatever.). The film was directed by the under-appreciated Robert Wise, who directed multiple classic films (THE HAUNTING, THE SOUND OF MUSIC, THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL, etc.) and is a director who is not talked about enough in film circles, which I think is a result of him not having a discernible style or consistent theme to his films, much like the equally under-appreciated George Roy Hill (THE STING, THE GREAT WALDO PEPPER, SLAP SHOT, etc.), and was written by Ernest Lehman, who wrote or co-wrote multiple classics including SABRINA, NORTH BY NORTHWEST, WEST SIDE STORY, SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS, and many more, serve up a terrific melodrama. Look fast for Steve McQueen in a bit part as one of Newman's street tough friends early in the film. Robert Loggia (BIG, SCARFACE) and Dean Jones (THE LOVE BUG, THAT DARN CAT!) also make their film debut in this film. My main complaint about the film is that although based on a true story, it does feel like a cliched Horatio Alger story, but despite that, it's super entertaining. FUN FACT! James Dean was originally cast as Graziano before his untimely death at 24 years old. In real life, he and leading lady Pier Angeli (who also died young at 39) were carrying on an affair at the time, which would have made for some real-life onscreen chemistry. BONUS FILM RECOMMENDATION: If you'd like to see an excellent but very different boxing picture from the director of this film, check out THE SET-UP, a terrific hard-boiled film noir about boxer Robert Ryan being forced to throw a fight. The film has the fun gimmick of taking place in real-time over the course of just over an hour. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 11/12/24 Full Review Tony B Paul Newman as much as I love most of his performances can't play a New York Italian American no matter how hard he tried. The movie was contrite and filled with many dishonesty's. And as much as I loved Rocky Graziano, it was hard for me to root for a man who deserted the army. It would've been better off if rather than telling this rather large fairytale, we told the true story maybe I would've enjoyed it better. Rated 2/5 Stars •  Rated 2 out of 5 stars 08/13/23 Full Review Steve D Proto-Rockey with strong acting. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 07/05/23 Full Review Audience Member This is a fantastic performance by Paul Newman playing ex world champion Rocky Graziano. Rocky was a troubled youngster who was always in trouble with the law. He had a great mother who loved him to death and an angry father who took his anger out on Rocky. Rocky grew up a criminal but when he was introduced to boxing it was the greatest thing that happened to his life. This really is a great boxing movie and a must see Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/14/23 Full Review deke p Good 1956 Pro Boxing flick. I new next to nothing about ROCKY GRAZIANO, nor the champ he beat... ZALE, and PIER ANGELI was just an actress with an odd name... Pier. Newman doing a great 'ROCKY' imitation, like Stallone. But he and the other boxers didn't look in good enuf shape to be fighters. But that was then. & now I am smitten with PIER. And SAL MINEO in small role. Too bad he and Pier both died young. Never heard of this movie until saw on THE MOVIE CHANNEL, 3.6.2021 Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member I just watched this for the first time. I am no fan of boxing or boxing movies but I like Paul Newman. I thought it was a really good movie and am surprised that it didn't win more awards. Paul Newman should have been nominated for best actor at least. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/24/23 Full Review Read all reviews

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