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

Ricky Schroder recalls turning eight during filming in April, 1978.

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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.

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Quotes

[Annie just revealed to T.J. she is his mother]
Annie: I'm your mother.
T.J.: No, my mother's dead. She's a beautiful angel.
Annie: No she's not, I'm here and I love you.
T.J.: You don't live with us, you're not married to Champ.
Annie: Listen to me T.J., you don't have to live with someone to love them, I love you.
T.J.: Do you love the Champ? Do you? Do you love him? No you're not my mother.
Annie: No, no please listen to me. It's not that simple. T.J. listen to me.
T.J.: Go away. Please don't touch me. I don't want you, I don't want you.
Annie: Timmy...
[...]

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Connections

Featured in Paul O'Grady's Hollywood: Weepies (2017)

User Reviews

Excellent

After seeing this movie again (it's been over 20 years), I can't think of enough positive things to say about it. The honesty of the script tends to overcome any sense of melodrama, and it turns out to be a 10-hanky tearjerker. The acting is great all around as well. I didn't know what I'd think since it's been so long, and was a bit surprised to find this film has lost nothing in the intervening years -- if anything, it views even better than it did when it was released. I'm also a bit surprised to see it so far down on the IMDB ratings chart. Almost too painful to watch at times (maybe that's why).

9/10