Champion

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Cast & Crew

Kirk Douglas
Michael 'Midge' Kelly

Marilyn Maxwell
Grace Diamond

Arthur Kennedy
Connie Kelly

Mark Robson
Director

Carl Foreman
Writer

Ring Lardner
Writer (Story)

Stanley Kramer
Producer

Robert Stillman
Associate Producer

Dimitri Tiomkin
Original Music

Franz Planer
Cinematographer

Harry W. Gerstad
Film Editor

Rudolph Sternad
Production Designer

Edward G. Boyle
Set Decoration

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Critic Reviews for Champion

Audience Reviews for Champion

• Nov 03, 2012

  "Champion" might seem like a another predictable drama at first glance, but it's more thoughtful and darker than you'd expect, and its ending is surprisingly pessimistic. Kirk Douglas gives an imperfect but rousing performance that goes well with a respectable supporting cast, which is headed by the likes of Arthur Kennedy and Paul Stewart. "Champion" is a drama crafted by capable hands, and it's pretty well-made, too.
  Stephen E Super Reviewer
• Nov 07, 2010

  A taut and atmospheric classic that has long been considered one of the best boxing films ever made. It is a stark and gripping character study that concerns the rise and fall of a unscrupulous boxing champion Midge Kelly, played brilliantly by Kirk Douglas in his breakout Oscar nominated star-making performance, who began as a know-nothing beginner, but because of his underprivileged life as a youth, which has given him a persecution complex, that drives his relentless ambition, it soon makes him into a natural and fearsome boxer, who rockets to the top of his sport, to become the middleweight champion of the world, but fame and wealth quickly seduce what was already a man with serious issues to began with, he alienates and thrusts aside everyone around him, including his beloved crippled brother Connie, played impressively by Arthur Kennedy in a Oscar nominated turn and the three women in his life that he uses, than discards, wonderful played by Lola Albright, Marilyn Stewart, and Ruth Roman. His quiet, knowing manager Tommy Haley, very aptly played by Paul Stewart who helped build him up into a world class fighter, he also betrays. Kelly is such a cruel, selfish, contemptible and self-destructive bastard, that the dark and tragic ending will surprise no one, but the engrossing Oscar nominated screenplay and Douglas's powerful virtuoso performance will keep your eyes glued to the screen all the way until it reaches that end. Astute direction by Mark Robson, sharp Oscar winning editing by Harry W. Gestad, with sensational black & white cinematography by Franz Planer, which makes spectacular use of light and shadow, excellent fight scenes that are very well-staged, and realistically brutal. An outstanding melodrama which earned 6 Academy Awards including Best Actor: Kirk Douglas, Best Supporting Actor: Arthur Kennedy, Best Adapted Screenplay: Carl Foreman, Best Score: Dimitri Tiomkin, Best Editing: Harry W. Gestad. Highly Recommended.
  Danny R Super Reviewer
• Aug 24, 2010

  Pretty much like watching "Body And Soul". Kirk Douglas is as good as Robert DeNiro was in "Raging Bull". This movie is no different from "Body And Soul". Corruption in the boxing biz, fast women, fast money, a shot at the title with consequences, shady managers, oh yeah can't forget a special love interest.
  Brian R Super Reviewer
• Jan 21, 2009

  The best boxing movie you've never heard of. Kirk Douglas is under the radar but at the top of his game.
  Randy T Super Reviewer

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