Body and Soul (1947)
Body and Soul Photos
Movie Info
Cast
as Charley Davis
as Peg Born
as Anna Davis
as Alice
as Quinn
as Shorty Polaski
as Ben
as Roberts
as David Davis
as Arnold
as Irma
as Roberts
as Drummer
as Doctor
as Prince
as Referee
as Miss Tedder
as Dan
as Jack Marlowe
as Victor
as Shelton
as Grocer
as Fight Announcer
Critic Reviews for Body and Soul
All Critics (11) | Top Critics (3) | Fresh (11) | Rotten (0) | DVD (1)
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.
Garfield's bullish performance saves the movie from its stagy moments and episodic script.
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.
Body and Soul is a film not simply with gritty boxing scenes but also a fascinating character analysis indicative of the human condition.
If the movie works today, it's probably because of Abraham Polonsky's beautiful screenplay, a rich desert plate filled with glorious, lowdown street and sports prose.
John Garfield gives a wonderful performance in the noir sports melodrama, directed by the blacklisted Polonsky
Audience Reviews for Body and Soul
sure it's the same tired boxing cliches but polonsky's sharp dialogues and garfield's greatest performance made it well worth watching, for me at least. james wong howe wore skates and rolled around the ring shooting the fight scenes with a hand-held camera, creating a level of realism that influenced 'raging bull'
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 out for him and a mother who wishes her son would decide to get an education. Great performances by Garfield, Anne Revere, Joseph Pevney, Lili Palmer, Canada Lee and Lloyd Gough. I gave this a 90 but now am giving this a 60. We've seen this story on screen before people.
Super Reviewer
The original Rocky 2, complete with dying trainer
Super Reviewer
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