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Requiem for a Heavyweight

Play trailer Poster for Requiem for a Heavyweight 1962 1h 25m Drama Sports Play Trailer Watchlist
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89% Tomatometer 46 Reviews 88% 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 Feb 14, 2023
This film is an honest, compassionate film in which fear, meanness, and sadism compete with generosity, loyalty, and plain shining goodness. Go to Full Review Kate Cameron New York Daily News Feb 14, 2023
3.5/4
[The performers] all lend an emotional quality to the action that quickens the pulse of the audience. Go to Full Review Mae Tinée Chicago Tribune Feb 14, 2023
It's terse and unvarnished and carries a terrific impact. Go to Full Review Jane Corby Brooklyn Daily Eagle Feb 14, 2023
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. Go to Full Review Sandra Saunders Philadelphia Daily News Feb 14, 2023
... 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. Go to Full Review Jay Carmody Washington Star Feb 14, 2023
“Requiem for a Heavyweight” is assured a top rung among 1962’s movies. Man's subhumanity to man is the theme of the film. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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j f @LiberteBurrows Dec 10, 2025 That Mickey Rooney is alright See more Tony S @RT22145614 Nov 29, 2024 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. See more May 20, 2019 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).) See more ashley h @ashleyhobgood87 Nov 15, 2018 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. See more Mar 19, 2018 Not overly long but to the point. This is a serious old film nobody talks about, except mentioned by Jay Leno a few times. See more Aug 17, 2016 Not a bad movie, if you like boxing movies then you should watch this one. See more 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

Requiem for a Heavyweight (1962) Requiem for a Heavyweight (1962) Requiem for a Heavyweight (1962) Requiem for a Heavyweight (1962) Requiem for a Heavyweight (1962) View more photos

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 25m
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