The Champ (1979)

Billy Flynn is an ex-champion boxer who was KO'd by booze and gambling. When the wealthy, estranged mother of his young son begins trying to lure the boy away from him, Flynn must return to the ring to provide for his child.

Director:

Franco Zeffirelli

Writers:

Frances Marion (story), Walter Newman

Stars:

Jon Voight, Faye Dunaway, Ricky Schroder

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 2 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jon Voight	...	Billy
Faye Dunaway	...	Annie
Ricky Schroder	...	T.J.
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

Storyline

Jon Voight, Faye Dunaway and Ricky Schroder star in this poignant story about a one-time boxing champ who is forced to return to the ring in order to maintain custody of his eight-year-old son. Voight plays Billy Flynn, an ex-champion boxer who was KO'd by booze and gambling. When the wealthy, estranged mother of Flynn's young son begins trying to lure the boy away from him, Flynn must return to the ring to provide for his child.

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Plot Keywords:

boy | boxer | horse trainer | champion | boxing | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Drama | Sport

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film's two adult leads had recently won Best Acting Academy Awards. Jon Voight, Best Actor for Coming Home (1978), and Faye Dunaway, Best Actress for Network (1976).

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Goofs

At the gym in the beginning of the film, Tex Cobb is being battered in a sparring match and his seconds call him Tommy. At the end of the film, Cobb is featured as Roland Bowers, Heavyweight Contender.

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Quotes

Annie: Come on. I'll help you undress.
T.J.: No. It's okay. The day a man can't take off his own pants - he - he ain't a man.

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Connections

Referenced in Gilmore Girls: The Breakup: Part 2 (2001)

User Reviews

Sure it's corny, but it's good!

I loved this movie, and was moved by it even though some of the actors were so very moved so many times that there almost wasn't room for anyone else to care! Little Ricky Schroeder gives one of the best child performances of all time, going step for step with the great Jon Voight in the acting department. Faye Dunaway is good too, and there are also treats like the great Joan Blondell and Elisha Cooke Jr making appearances. Schmaltzy and over scored, this movie still manages to evoke a tear or two. Enjoyable if a bit over the top.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 April 1979 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Champ

Filming Locations:

Florida, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$1,972,684, 8 April 1979

Gross USA:

$30,441,738

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$30,441,738

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hialeah Park Studios, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

121 min

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1