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Body and Soul (1947) (1947)

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Average Rating: 7.7/10
Reviews Counted: 9
Fresh: 9 | Rotten: 0

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Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 2
Fresh: 2 | Rotten: 0

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Average Rating: 4/5
User Ratings: 594

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Movie Info

This riveting 1947 drama, regarded by many as the greatest boxing movie of all time, centers on a former pugilist who looks back on his life in and out of the ring and realizes that self-respect is a more important prize than winning. John Garfield is Charlie Davis, a former boxing champion who began fighting in order to save himself and his mother from poverty after his father was killed in a mob-related bombing. William Conrad plays Quinn, a veteran boxer-turned-trainer who discovers that

Unrated, 1 hr. 44 min.

Drama, Classics

Directed By: Robert Rosen , Robert Rossen

Written By: Abraham Polonsky

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1947 Wide

On DVD: Mar 5, 2002

Cast

John Garfield
Charlie Davis
Lilli Palmer
Peg Born
James Burke
Arnold
Anne Revere
Anna Davis
Canada Lee
Ben Chaplin
Mary Currier
Miss Teddy
Joe Devlin
Prince
Hazel Brooks
Alice
William Conrad
Quinn
Tim Ryan
Shelton
Lloyd Gough
Roberts
Wheaton Chambers
Doctor
Virginia Gregg
Irma
John Indrisano
Referee
Milt Kibbee
Dan
Joseph Pevney
Shorty Polaski
Cyril Ring
Victor
Shimen Ruskin
Grocer
Art Smith
David Davis
Dan Tobey
Fight Announcer
Peter Virgo
Drummer

Critic Reviews for Body and Soul (1947)

All Critics (10) | Top Critics (3) | Fresh (9) | Rotten (0) | DVD (3)

Trite is hardly the word for the plot, which was already wheezy by the time this minor classic was made in 1947, but Abraham Polonsky's script brings such tight, painful focus to the moral choices that it seems fresh and real.

March 25, 2008 Full Review Source: Chicago Reader

| Comment

Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

Top Critic

Altogether this Enterprise picture rolls up a round-by-round triumph on points until it comes through with a climactic knockout that hits the all-time high in throat-catching fight films.

January 28, 2006 Full Review Source: New York Times

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Bosley Crowther

New York Times

Top Critic

John Garfield gives a wonderful performance in the noir sports melodrama, directed by the blacklisted Polonsky

April 23, 2011 Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com Source: EmanuelLevy.Com

Garfield's bullish performance saves the movie from its stagy moments and episodic script.

February 9, 2006 Full Review Source: Time Out

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Time Out

Now only seems gripping because of Garfield's gritty performance.

March 20, 2004 Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews

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Dennis Schwartz

Ozus' World Movie Reviews

The fight film to which all others are compared.

July 30, 2003 Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide

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TV Guide's Movie Guide

This is tight, hard-hitting entertainment.

May 24, 2003 Full Review Source: Film4

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Film4

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Audience Reviews for Body and Soul (1947)

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The original Rocky 2, complete with dying trainer

July 11, 2007

Ken Stachnik

Super Reviewer

A look at the corrupt sides of professional boxing. John Garfield plays the corrupted boxer. Fast money, fast women, expensive high rise, a corrupted manager that would make Don King's face light up with glee. "Body And Soul" isn't all that corrupt, Garfield's character has a love intrest, a good friend who is looking

August 24, 2010