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The Champ

  • 19791979
  • PGPG
  • 2h 1m
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
8.6K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
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
26 Photos
  • Drama
  • Sport
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
8.6K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Franco Zeffirelli
  • Writers
    • Frances Marion(story)
    • Walter Newman
  • Stars
    • Jon Voight
    • Faye Dunaway
    • Ricky Schroder
Top credits
  • Director
    • Franco Zeffirelli
  • Writers
    • Frances Marion(story)
    • Walter Newman
  • Stars
    • Jon Voight
    • Faye Dunaway
    • Ricky Schroder
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 65User 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 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 Flynnas Billy Flynn
    Faye Dunaway
    Faye Dunaway
    • Annieas Annie
    Ricky Schroder
    Ricky Schroder
    • T.J. Flynnas T.J. Flynn
    Jack Warden
    Jack Warden
    • Jackieas Jackie
    Arthur Hill
    Arthur Hill
    • Mikeas Mike
    Strother Martin
    Strother Martin
    • Rileyas Riley
    Joan Blondell
    Joan Blondell
    • Dolly Kenyonas Dolly Kenyon
    Mary Jo Catlett
    Mary Jo Catlett
    • Josieas Josie
    Elisha Cook Jr.
    Elisha Cook Jr.
    • Georgieas Georgie
    • (as Elisha Cook)
    Stefan Gierasch
    Stefan Gierasch
    • Charlie Goodmanas Charlie Goodman
    Allan Miller
    Allan Miller
    • Whiteyas Whitey
    Joe Tornatore
    Joe Tornatore
    • Heshas Hesh
    Shirlee Kong
    • Donna Maeas Donna Mae
    Jeff Blum
    • Jeffieas Jeffie
    Dana Elcar
    Dana Elcar
    • Hoffmasteras Hoffmaster
    Randall 'Tex' Cobb
    Randall 'Tex' Cobb
    • Bowersas Bowers
    • (as Randall Cobb)
    Kristoff St. John
    Kristoff St. John
    • Sonnyas Sonny
    • (as Christoff St. John)
    Gina Gallego
    Gina Gallego
    • Cuban Girlas Cuban Girl
    • Director
      • Franco Zeffirelli
    • Writers
      • Frances Marion(story)
      • Walter Newman
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Over two thousand children were interviewed for the key child role of T.J. Flynn.
    • 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 reviews65

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    A true tearjerker, I have never cried so much in a film
    This is arguably Jon Voight's finest acting performance with the possible exception of The Odessa File.

    Jon Voight plays Billy Flynn an ex boxing champion with Ricky Shroder playing his eight year old son, T.J Flynn. Billy Flynn is now a horse trainer bringing up his son after a divorce some seven years ago when T.J. was just a baby. Billy loves a drink and is addicted to gambling and bringing up his son does have problems.

    The problems intensify when his ex-wife, now remarried, appears on the scene to see her son after seven long years. T.J. knows her only as Annie and is played by Faye Dunaway. Annie starts to come between Billy and T.J even though T.J has undying love for his father. As Billy gets further into trouble, his only way of securing a life for his son is to make one last come-back into the boxing ring.

    The film is very poignant, emotional and has so many sad sequences. Poor T.J. is constantly in tears and whenever his tears flowed, so did mine. The Champ is a superb movie, a must see, and although over 20 years old, still has a place today. The problems that existed then, still exist today. Booze, gambling, single parentage, divorce and reconciliation. Only the clothing fashions are different.
    helpful•45
    7
    • traceyames17
    • Sep 22, 2002

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 4, 1979 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Warner Bros.
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • Der 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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