Billy Flynn, a former boxing champion, is now horse trainer in Hialeah. He makes just enough money to raise his little boy T.J., over whom he got custody after his wife Annie left him seven... See full summary »

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Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 2 wins & 6 nominations. See more awards »
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
...
Annie
...
...
Jackie
Arthur Hill ...
Mike
...
Riley
...
Dolly Kenyon
...
Josie
...
Georgie (as Elisha Cook)
...
Charlie Goodman
...
Whitey
Joe Tornatore ...
Hesh
Shirlee Kong ...
Donna Mae
Jeff Blum ...
Jeffie
...
Hoffmaster
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Storyline

Billy Flynn, a former boxing champion, is now horse trainer in Hialeah. He makes just enough money to raise his little boy T.J., over whom he got custody after his wife Annie left him seven years ago. T.J. worships The Champ who is now working on his come-back in order to give his boy a better future. But suddenly Annie shows up again ... Written by Willy Vanhaelen <willy.vanhaelen@advalvas.be>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Taglines:

The More You Love, The Harder You Fight. See more »

Genres:

Drama | Sport

Certificate:

PG | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

4 April 1979 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

El campeón  »

Company Credits

Production Co:

 »
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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Faye Dunaway's part was only a supporting role but this fitted with what the actress was doing at the time which was only taking smaller roles. See more »

Goofs

When Champ is badly beaten up in the ring near the end of the movie, he is almost unconscious. To try to make sure he is okay, Jackie asks Champ, "What day is it today?" Champ says, "Thursday, May 23rd." The film takes place in 1979. May 23rd, 1979 was actually a Wednesday. See more »

Quotes

[Billy just sees Annie after 7 years]
Billy: You know what I told him? I told him that you died, that you were killed in a car wreck. That you were a tramp and we're better off without you. You're dead! Do you understand that? You're dead! The kid's got no mother!
Annie: I am his mother.
Billy: You're dead! He's got no mother!
Annie: I'm here, I am his mother.
See more »

Connections

Remake of The Champ (1931) See more »

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User Reviews

 
Excellent
13 July 2002 | by (Seattle, WA. USA) – See all my reviews

After seeing this movie again (it's been over 20 years), I can't think of enough positive things to say about it. The honesty of the script tends to overcome any sense of melodrama, and it turns out to be a 10-hanky tearjerker. The acting is great all around as well. I didn't know what I'd think since it's been so long, and was a bit surprised to find this film has lost nothing in the intervening years -- if anything, it views even better than it did when it was released. I'm also a bit surprised to see it so far down on the IMDB ratings chart. Almost too painful to watch at times (maybe that's why).

9/10


25 of 26 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

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