An ex-sportswriter is hired by a shady fight promoter to promote his latest find, an unknown but easily exploitable rising star from Argentina.An ex-sportswriter is hired by a shady fight promoter to promote his latest find, an unknown but easily exploitable rising star from Argentina.An ex-sportswriter is hired by a shady fight promoter to promote his latest find, an unknown but easily exploitable rising star from Argentina.
- Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 2 nominations total
- Luís Agrandi
- (as Carlos Montalban)
- Pretty Girl
- (uncredited)
- Fighter
- (uncredited)
- Oklahoma City Ring Announcer
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaJoe Greb has a small and uncredited role as a brain-damaged boxer who gives an interview about the damaging effects of the sport. In reality, Greb had a 12 year career as a boxer and fought in 119 bouts during that period. Greb suffered irreparable brain damage from his time as a boxer and was a vocal proponent of fighter safety. In essence, he plays himself in this film.
- GoofsIn the opening, when Eddie hires a cab, initially it's a '55 Plymouth; in the next scene, as they're driving off, it's a '54 Ford.
- Quotes
[Willis tells Toro to throw his fight with Buddy Brannen to avoid getting hurt]
Toro Moreno: I don't know, I don't know. What would people think of me?
Eddie Willis: What do you care what a bunch of bloodthirsty, screaming people think of you? Did you ever get a look at their faces? They pay a few lousy bucks hoping to see a man get killed. To hell with them! Think of yourself. Get your money and get out of this rotten business.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Great Performances: Bacall on Bogart (1988)
Bogart, as "Eddie Willis," plays a decent guy who knows he's doing the wrong thing so he's ornery for most of the film. His conscience is getting the best of him. Not many others in here are happy, either, for that matter, in this tale of crooked boxing. Boy, filmmakers in the '40s and '50s loved making crooked boxing stories.
What's also different about this is the featured boxer: a 6-foot-8 Argentinian import named "Toro Moreno" (Mike Lane), a stiff who is being groomed for the heavyweight championship via a series of fixed fights, led by the crooked promoter played by Rod Steiger.
Along the way, it was interesting to see real-life fighters Max Baer and Jersey Joe Walcott.
Bogart died a little a little over a year after making this film. He looked haggard, which is understandable, but he still did his normal excellent job of acting and keeping the story interesting. Like him or not, Bogart always got your interest. He, along with James Cagney, were the best at dominating a film.
A decent boxing film, but nothing spectacular, to be honest. There are many, many better boxing movies, but this is still worth watching.
- ccthemovieman-1
- Sep 30, 2006
- How long is The Harder They Fall?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- Težak pad/Тежак пад
- Filming locations
- South Street and Catherine Slip, Manhattah, New York, USA(Eddie takes taxi outside apartment)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $1,350,000
- Runtime1 hour 49 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1