The Champ (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.

Director:

Franco Zeffirelli

Writers:

Frances Marion (story), Walter Newman

Stars:

Jon Voight, Faye Dunaway, Ricky Schroder

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 2 wins & 6 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

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 comeback in order to give his boy a better future. But suddenly Annie shows up again.

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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

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 April 1979 (USA)

Also Known As:

El campeón

Filming Locations:

Florida, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$1,972,684, 8 April 1979, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$30,441,738

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

121 min

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Director Franco Zeffirelli wanted to contrast the stark realism of the ring fighter boxing world and racetrack and gambling scene with something colorful and flamboyant so he chose the Vizcaya Fashion Show, with outfits and costumes from the Helen Larson Collection, as a fashion show set-piece for the film. Also, Faye Dunaway's previous movie had been the fashion photography thriller Eyes of Laura Mars (1978).

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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.

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Quotes

Doctor: [Champ has just died] 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!
Doctor: We're all real sorry.
T.J.: Please, wake him up!
[...]

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Connections

Featured in Sports on the Silver Screen (1997)

User Reviews

Cry much?

If you are not in tears at the end of this movie, go see the Wizard, cause you have no heart!

Cute little Ricky Schroder acts his --- off in this drama, which is a tad overdone in spots, but it is so sad that if you are embarrassed to cry in front of other people, see it alone.