The Harder They Fall (DVD)

...was nothing particularly exciting in the box, but I thought the film, which stars Humphrey Bogart, would be worth a watch. Had I known what the subject matter was, I would probably not have watched it - boxing is not something I particularly enjoy - but by the time I realised what it was about, I was already into the film. Compared to most Bogart films, this was definitely not his best, although it was the last film he was to make before his death. ...
...a number of films, including The Inn of Sixth Happiness, starring Ingrid Bergman, and Peyton Place, starring Lana Turner. The Harder They Fall was released in 1956.

The storyline
Nick Benko hires ex-journalist Eddie Willis (Humphrey Bogart) to act as PR Manager for a boxer Benko has brought over from Argentina called Toro Moreno. Benko has put a lot of money on Moreno and there are various underground organisations also involved ... more

Introduction
I found this film in a box of stuff I brought home from overseas nearly three years ago and had never got round to opening. Unfortunately, there was nothing particularly exciting in the box, but I thought the film, which stars Humphrey Bogart, would be worth a watch. Had I known what the subject matter was, I would probably not have watched it - boxing is not something I particularly enjoy - but by the time I realised what it was about, I was already into the film. Compared to most Bogart films, this was definitely not his best, although it was the last film he was to make before his death.

The director
Mark Robson was born in Canada in 1913 and directed a number of films, including The Inn of Sixth Happiness, starring Ingrid Bergman, and Peyton Place, starring Lana Turner. The Harder They Fall was released in 1956.

The storyline
Nick Benko hires ex-journalist Eddie Willis (Humphrey Bogart) to act as PR Manager for a boxer Benko has brought over from Argentina called Toro Moreno. Benko has put a lot of money on Moreno and there are various underground organisations also involved in financial backing. The only problem is, Moreno, although massive, can't fight to save his life.

Willis is eventually persuaded to take Moreno on. Between them, he and Benko set up a number of fights that Moreno wins. One of them, fighting against an ex-Champ, culminates in the ex-Champ's death. Moreno blames himself for the death, although he is probably not guilty and wants to return to Argentina with the money he has earned. But his backers have set up a fight with the heavyweight champion and so Benko asks Willis to persuade Moreno to stay. I won't take the plot any further than that, but let's just say it is not pretty.

The actors
It is difficult to criticise Humphrey Bogart in anything he does, mainly because he is a good actor, but partly because his face doesn't move apart from his eyes and mouth and it is not easy to read his face. I was not sure until very close to the end whether Eddie Willis had a conscience or not. The character is not a particularly pleasant one - he is doing the job for the money rather than anything else - and I found it hard to like him, even when I did think he was doing the right thing. Then again, just the way that Bogart looks makes it difficult for him to be liked; he just has that gangster look about him.

Boxing manager Nick Benko is played by Rod Steiger, who does an excellent job of being totally obnoxious and money-driven. A thoroughly selfish, dislikeable character. Rod Steiger played a number of roles before his death in 2002, including his breakthrough film, On the Waterfront and In the Heat of the Night, where he played opposite Sidney Poitier.

Mike Lane, who plays Toro Moreno, also deserves a mention. He was a professional boxing hopeful in the 1950s, but moved on to acting, where he managed to get a number of roles primarily for his size - a giant 6ft 8! I don't know how much of his role was acted, but he managed to play a boxer totally dependent on his backers, yet not having a clue what was happening, in a very realistic way. He was badly abused and I felt deeply deeply sorry for him. Apparently, this film is based on a true story about the boxer Primo Carnera, although some artistic licence has been used.

Technical bits
Classification: PG

Running time: Over two hours

Special features: There is an interesting picture gallery of Humphrey Bogart, with information of his films, primarily the ones he made with Columbia, of which this film is one. There is also a trailer for On the Waterfront, a film which stars Rod Steiger. It took me a while to realise why this was a special feature, because Humphrey Bogart wasn't in it - to be honest I would rather have seen something that Bogart was in.

Conclusion
This is a powerful film that gives a hard-hitting message about the boxing underworld and its exploitation of boxers. However, it takes a long time to give that message and there is quite a lot of boring fight scenes to get through first. If you like boxing, then you'll probably enjoy this more than I did. I also thought that the film could probably have been half the length and it would have been long enough. Its saving grace is Humphrey Bogart and to a certain extent, Rod Steiger and Mike Lane. Without them, I think I would have given up after about 10 minutes. Recommended, but only if you're a fan of Bogart or boxing.

The DVD is available from Amazon for £12.99, although the used and new section has copies from £4.50.
 

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