The Champ (1979)

User Rating:

6.1/10   

Director:

Franco Zeffirelli

Writers:

Frances Marion (story)
Walter Newman (writer)

Release Date:

4 April 1979 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Sport

Tagline:

The most poignant love-triangle of all - a father, his son, and the woman who came between them.

Plot:

Billy Flynn, an ex box champion, is now horse trainer in Hialeah. He makes just enough money to raise his little boy T.J...

Plot Keywords:

Champion | Tragedy | Ring | Father Son Relationship | Horse Racing

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 1 win & 4 nominations

Cast

Jon Voight	...	Billy
Faye Dunaway	...	Annie
Rick Schroder	...	T.J. (as Ricky Schroder)
Jack Warden	...	Jackie
Arthur Hill	...	Mike
Strother Martin	...	Riley
Joan Blondell	...	Dolly Kenyon
Mary Jo Catlett	...	Josie
Elisha Cook Jr.	...	Georgie (as Elisha Cook)
Stefan Gierasch	...	Charlie Goodman
Allan Miller	...	Whitey
Joe Tornatore	...	Hesh
Shirlee Kong	...	Donna Mae
Jeff Blum	...	Jeffie
Dana Elcar	...	Hoffmaster

Runtime:

121 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo

Certification:

Iceland:12 | South Korea:All (DVD rating) | Argentina:13 | Australia:PG | Chile:14 | Finland:K-12 | UK:PG | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Coconut Grove, Miami, Florida, USA

Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Trivia:

The film was originally intended for Ryan and Griffin O'Neal.

Quotes:

[Billy and T.J. are playing in the ocean]
T.J.: Champ, did you love her?
Billy: Who?
T.J.: Annie.
Billy: Of course I loved her, that's why we had you.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Durugin si Totoy Bato (1979)

One of the most heart-rending films in the history of films

I first watched this film in 1980 as a five year old with my gran and we managed to distort the credits through our tears and sobbing. I received the video about four years ago, and as a twenty-two year old it had the same effect. Last night, I watched the Champ with my girlfriend and I am happy to say that the years haven't mellowed me and we were both in floods of tears before I switched the film off. I defy anybody who has an emotional bone in their body not to be touched by the story of Billy Flynn, and more importantly TJ. I won't give any of the storyline away as it will make it all the better for watching if you haven't seen it. As for me, I can't wait until the Champ get's it DVD release as I will be first in the queue.

"I want the Champ !"