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IMDbPro

The Champ

  • 19791979
  • PGPG
  • 2h 1m
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
8.8K
YOUR RATING
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.
Play trailer2:13
1 Video
42 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
8.8K
YOUR RATING
    • Franco Zeffirelli
    • Frances Marion(story)
    • Walter Newman
  • Stars
    • Jon Voight
    • Faye Dunaway
    • Ricky Schroder
    • Franco Zeffirelli
    • Frances Marion(story)
    • Walter Newman
  • Stars
    • Jon Voight
    • Faye Dunaway
    • Ricky Schroder
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 68User reviews
    • 22Critic reviews
    • 38Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:13
    Watch Official Trailer

    Photos42

    Jon Voight, Faye Dunaway, and Ricky Schroder in The Champ (1979)
    Jon Voight, Ricky Schroder, and Jack Warden in The Champ (1979)
    Ricky Schroder in The Champ (1979)
    Jon Voight in The Champ (1979)
    Jon Voight in The Champ (1979)
    Jon Voight in The Champ (1979)
    Jon Voight and Ricky Schroder in The Champ (1979)
    Jon Voight and Ricky Schroder in The Champ (1979)
    Ricky Schroder in The Champ (1979)
    Jon Voight, Randall 'Tex' Cobb, and Ricky Schroder in The Champ (1979)
    "The Champ" Faye Dunaway 1979 MGM
    Ricky Schroder at an event for The Champ (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
      • Franco Zeffirelli
      • Frances Marion(story)
      • Walter Newman
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    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 reviews68

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    10/10
    One of the most heart-rending films in the history of films
    I first watched this film in 1980 as a five year old with my gran and we managed to distort the credits through our tears and sobbing. I received the video about four years ago, and as a twenty-two year old it had the same effect. Last night, I watched the Champ with my girlfriend and I am happy to say that the years haven't mellowed me and we were both in floods of tears before I switched the film off. I defy anybody who has an emotional bone in their body not to be touched by the story of Billy Flynn, and more importantly TJ. I won't give any of the storyline away as it will make it all the better for watching if you haven't seen it. As for me, I can't wait until the Champ get's it DVD release as I will be first in the queue.

    "I want the Champ !"
    helpful•40
    8
    • aj75
    • Jul 14, 2002

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 4, 1979 (United States)
      • United States
      • Warner Bros.
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • Hialeah, Florida, USA
    • Production companies
      • Hialeah Park Studios
      • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • 2 hours 1 minute
      • Color
      • 4-Track Stereo

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