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Mestari

Original title: The Champ
  • 19791979
  • K-12K-12
  • 2h 1m
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
8.7K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,796
9,472
Mestari (1979)
A former boxer discovers that his biggest battle of all is going to be with his ex-wife, Annie, who returns after abandoning their young son seven years prior.
Play trailer2:13
1 Video
26 Photos
DramaSport

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 ... Read allBilly 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.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.

IMDb RATING
6.8/10
8.7K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,796
9,472
  • Director
    • Franco Zeffirelli
  • Writers
    • Frances Marion(story)
    • Walter Newman
  • Stars
    • Jon Voight
    • Faye Dunaway
    • Ricky Schroder
  • Director
    • Franco Zeffirelli
  • Writers
    • Frances Marion(story)
    • Walter Newman
  • Stars
    • Jon Voight
    • Faye Dunaway
    • Ricky Schroder
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 66User reviews
    • 21Critic reviews
    • 38Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 2 wins & 8 nominations total

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:13
    Official Trailer

    Photos26

    Jon Voight, Faye Dunaway, and Ricky Schroder in Mestari (1979)
    Jon Voight, Ricky Schroder, and Jack Warden in Mestari (1979)
    Ricky Schroder in Mestari (1979)
    Jon Voight in Mestari (1979)
    Jon Voight in Mestari (1979)
    Jon Voight in Mestari (1979)
    Jon Voight and Ricky Schroder in Mestari (1979)
    Jon Voight and Ricky Schroder in Mestari (1979)
    Ricky Schroder in Mestari (1979)
    Jon Voight, Randall 'Tex' Cobb, and Ricky Schroder in Mestari (1979)
    "The Champ" Faye Dunaway 1979 MGM
    Ricky Schroder at an event for Mestari (1979)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Jon Voight
    Jon Voight
    • Billy Flynn
    Faye Dunaway
    Faye Dunaway
    • Annie
    Ricky Schroder
    Ricky Schroder
    • T.J. Flynn
    Jack Warden
    Jack Warden
    • Jackie
    Arthur Hill
    Arthur Hill
    • Mike
    Strother Martin
    Strother Martin
    • Riley
    Joan Blondell
    Joan Blondell
    • Dolly Kenyon
    Mary Jo Catlett
    Mary Jo Catlett
    • Josie
    Elisha Cook Jr.
    Elisha Cook Jr.
    • Georgie
    • (as Elisha Cook)
    Stefan Gierasch
    Stefan Gierasch
    • Charlie Goodman
    Allan Miller
    Allan Miller
    • Whitey
    Joe Tornatore
    Joe Tornatore
    • Hesh
    Shirlee Kong
    • Donna Mae
    Jeff Blum
    • Jeffie
    Dana Elcar
    Dana Elcar
    • Hoffmaster
    Randall 'Tex' Cobb
    Randall 'Tex' Cobb
    • Bowers
    • (as Randall Cobb)
    Kristoff St. John
    Kristoff St. John
    • Sonny
    • (as Christoff St. John)
    Gina Gallego
    Gina Gallego
    • Cuban Girl
    • Director
      • Franco Zeffirelli
    • Writers
      • Frances Marion(story)
      • Walter Newman
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      At just age nine, Ricky Schroder won the Golden Globe Award for "Best New Male Star of the Year in a Motion Picture" for his performance as T.J. Flynn in this film.
    • Goofs
      When The Champ slaps T.J. he slaps him while standing up but, in the very next shot, he's kneeling down by T.J.
    • Quotes

      Ring Doctor: [SPOILER]

      [Champ has just died]

      Ring Doctor: I'm sorry.

      T.J.: [Georgie and Jackie start to cry, TJ is shocked] No! Champ! No! Champ. Is he out? Is he out? What's the matter, Champ? Champ, wake up! Wake up! Wake - wake up!

      [kisses his head]

      T.J.: Champ, wake up, Champ! Hey, don't sleep now. We got to go home. Got to go home, Champ.

      [Georgie collapses into sobs]

      T.J.: Georgie. Don't cry. Georgie.

      [TJ goes to the doctor]

      T.J.: Mister, help me. Wake him up! Wake him!

      Ring Doctor: We're all real sorry.

      T.J.: Please, wake him up!

      Ring Doctor: Let's go outside.

      T.J.: No, no! I don't want to! I don't want to!

      [runs to Jackie]

      T.J.: Jackie! Wake him up! Wake him!

      Jackie: TJ, please.

      T.J.: I want Champ!

      Jackie: TJ...

      T.J.: I want Champ!

      Jackie: TJ. Please, TJ, listen to me. He's gone. He's gone, son. He's gone.

      T.J.: [shakes his head and backs away from Jackie] No. No! He's not gone! He's not! He's not!

      Jackie: [Annie comes in, a smile on her face until she sees Champ and Jackie trying to calm TJ] Please.

      T.J.: He is not dead! He is not dead! I want Champ!

      Jackie: Please, listen to me, son.

      T.J.: I want Champ!

      Jackie: TJ, please, listen to me!

      T.J.: I want Champ! Champ! He is not gone!

      Jackie: [he and the doctor try to drag TJ away from Champ] Come on, son. Come on. TJ.

      Annie: TJ.

      [TJ walks towards her and hugs her, holding on tightly as he sobs]

    • Connections
      Featured in Sneak Previews: Hair/Murder By Decree/A Perfect Couple/The Champ/Buck Rogers in the 25th Century/Love at First Bite/In Search of Dracula (1979)

    User reviews66

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    The most EMOTIONAL movie ever made, A 10-hanky MUST-SEE!
    Once upon a time, when I was 10 years old, my father took me from playing with my friends to see this movie called "The Champ." And now, I can't wait to share it with MY children. Truly, the most EMOTIONAL movie I've ever seen. Jon Voight plays the role of ex-Boxing champion Billy Flynn who attempts a comeback to help his son. Ricky Schroder is the object of affection from his down-on-his-luck father, AND his rich mother (Faye Dunaway)who deserted him many years ago. The conflict between the parents is so painfully realistic, but it's Ricky's acting performance as T.J. that steals the show and your heart. Have SEVERAL boxes of tissue handy when viewing this film, because there are MANY scenes that will draw tears from the hardest of hearts. NO ONE can sit through this film and not be affected by the emotional impact, unless they are just a cold-hearted, unloving, uncareing person. I rate this one a 10-hanky MUST-SEE!
    helpful•17
    8
    • scoobyg69
    • Mar 13, 2000

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 21, 1979 (Finland)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Warner Bros.
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • The Champ
    • Filming locations
      • Hialeah, Florida, USA
    • Production companies
      • Hialeah Park Studios
      • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $30,441,738
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $1,972,684
      • Apr 8, 1979
    • Gross worldwide
      • $30,441,738
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 1 minute
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • 4-Track Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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