Frankie Dunn has trained and managed some incredible fighters during a lifetime spent in the ring. The most important lesson he teaches his boxers is the one that rules life: above all, always protect yourself. In the wake of a painful estrangement from his daughter, Frankie has been unwilling to let himself get close to anyone for a very long time. His only friend, Scrap, an ex-boxer who looks after Frankie's gym, knows that beneath his gruff exterior is a man who has been seeking, for the past 25 years, the forgiveness that somehow continues to elude him. Then Maggie Fitzgerald walks into his gym...
Written by Any
Anjelica Huston originally brought the book "Rope Burns" to producer Albert S. Ruddy's attention, hoping that he would ask her to direct the film. (She guaranteed that he would cry after reading the "Million Dollar Baby" story, and he admits that he did.) However, by the time Ruddy acquired the rights, Huston was busy on another project.
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Goofs
Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers):
Eddie Dupris claims that a knockout is caused when the neck turns a certain degree after which the human body takes over and shuts itself down for safety reasons. While generally unknown, it is widely believed that a knockout is actually caused by the rattling of the brain against the skull causing severe trauma resulting in a concussion.
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Quotes
[first lines]
Eddie Scrap-Iron Dupris:
[Narrating]
Only ever met one man I wouldn't wanna fight. When I met him he was already the best cut man in the business. Started training and managing in the sixties, but never lost his gift. See more »
Crazy Credits
There are no opening credits after the title is shown.
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