The Champ (1979)

Movie
German title	The champ
Original title	The Champ
Country of production	United States
original language	English
Publishing year	1979
length	123 minutes
Age rating	FSK 12
Rod
Director	Franco Zeffirelli
script	Frances Marion , Walter Newman
production	Dyson Lovell
music	Dave Grusin
camera	Fred J. Koenekamp
cut	Michael J. Sheridan
occupation
Jon Voight : Billy Flynn Faye Dunaway : Annie Ricky Schroder : Timothy Joseph Flynn ("TJ") Jack Warden : Jackie Joan Blondell : Dolly Kenyon Arthur Hill : Mike Strother Martin : Riley Elisha Cook : Georgie Mary Jo Catlett : Josie Dana Elcar : Hoffmaster

The Champ is a 1979 American drama directed by Franco Zeffirelli . It is a remake of the film of the same name made by King Vidor in 1931 . In the lead roles are Jon Voight , Faye Dunaway , Ricky Schroder and Joan Blondell seen. For Blondell, it was the last film released during her lifetime. She died of leukemia eight months later .

content

Billy Flynn is 37 years old and was a successful boxer from a young age . During this time he is still mourning and wondering what his life could have been like if he had tried a little more. Now he spends his time on the racecourse and earns his living as a trainer for horse racing horses. He still boxes occasionally, but doesn't believe in his comeback . For his son TJ, his father is the greatest hero; he is firmly convinced that he can make another career. In order to finally be able to finance a better life for his son, Billy Flynn gets back into the ring.

Trivia

The film is often referred to as the saddest film. Scientists even said that it contains scenes that are sadder than the death of Bambi's mother.

Awards / nominations

• The film was nominated in 1980 for an Oscar in the category “Best Film Music” .
• Ricky Schroder won a Golden Globe Award for “Best Young Actor” and Jon Voight was nominated in the “Best Leading Actor - Drama” category.
• The champ was nominated for "Best Foreign Film" at the Japanese Academy Awards .
• The production was nominated in two categories at the 1980 Young Artist Awards .

criticism

The lexicon of international films concluded that the filmed family play directed by Zeffirelli had turned out to be a "lengthy melodrama".

Web links

• The champ in the Internet Movie Database (English)

Individual evidence

1. ↑ The Champ: Saddest movie ever? Retrieved January 28, 2015 (eng). 
2. ↑ The Champ. In: Lexicon of International Films . Film service , accessed February 3, 2014 .