Synopsis
Humphrey Bogart, down-on-his-luck sports writer, is recruited by crooked boxing impresarioRod Steiger. Bogart’s assignment: build up the reputation of a gigantic but incompetent fighter.A series of fixed fights leads to the gentle Goliath’s superstardom, but you know this is all goingto end in tears. Bogart descends further and further into corruption, hating himself all the way.The boxing scenes are stunning in their brutality, and the film (barring a perhaps overlyoptimis…ic ending) is one gritty piece of work, much in the vein of On the Waterfront.
Audio
The original mono, and it sounds fine. There is no distortion or buzz (which is a neat trick,given how much Steiger shouts). The music has got a good feel to it as well. All in all, a warm,nuanced track.
Video
There is a bit of speckling, primarily at the beginning, but generally the print is in excellentshape, with very little edge enhancement visible and no real grain at all. It’s not often you get tosee Bogart is widescreen, but here he is in 1.85:1 anamorphic.
Special Features
The menu is basic, and the extras are minimal: the same advertising montage as the otherrecent Bogart releases, and trailers for The Greatest and On the Waterfront.
Closing Thoughts
As final films go, this is a pretty sharp one. Bogart went out in top form. A welcome release,and a must for fans of good boxing movies.
Special Features List
- Trailers
- Advertising Montage
