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The Champ

  • 1979
  • PG
  • 2h 1m
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
9.7K
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
BoxingTragedyDramaSport

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.

  • Director
    • Franco Zeffirelli
  • Writers
    • Frances Marion
    • Walter Newman
  • Stars
    • Jon Voight
    • Faye Dunaway
    • Ricky Schroder
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.8/10
    9.7K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Franco Zeffirelli
    • Writers
      • Frances Marion
      • Walter Newman
    • Stars
      • Jon Voight
      • Faye Dunaway
      • Ricky Schroder
    • 73User reviews
    • 22Critic reviews
    • 38Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 2 wins & 8 nominations total

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:13
    Official Trailer

    Photos42

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    Top cast65

    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
      • Walter Newman
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews73

    6.89.7K
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    Featured reviews

    7asd29

    Probably the all time best weepie movie

    I have not seen this film for many years , ive not seen the dvd anywhere since i last watched it on tv years ago, the movie is a cross between kramer vs kramer and rocky the acting in this is sensational to say the least especially from a young ricky schroder who is now nearly unheard of , despite schroders fledgling career he is the only actor who has genuinely made me cry his performance in the closing scene is heart wrenching its so realistic its nearly unbearable, i will look out for this film in the future and when i see it again the tears are very likely to fall again .
    10aj75

    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 !"
    7alaz_izmir

    Maybe not masterpiece but poignant father-son story

    First of all, it does not deserve a harsh criticism from the critics. The movie is not technically perfect but the acting especially from T.J is superb and as a parent, some show their love and affection obscurely than the others but in this story, the bond between father and son is powerful and moving. Whatever the critics say, just avoid them and watch this beautiful movie.
    9The_Core

    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
    mesamood

    The Champ is one of the Greatest Films ever

    The Champ is the most beautiful Father & Son story I have ever seen. The films emotional ending will go down in history as the saddest scene ever on film. Rick Schroder is amazing. A must see!!! Jon Voight is extremely convincing as a retired prize fighter. He also looks like Rick Schroders Father. Faye Dunaway come s off well. The director Zeffereli is a amazing story teller. You may have scene his Mac Beth with Mel Gibson. Rent this when you want to really feel some strong emotion. Rick Schroder was cast to stardom from it. It might just make you call your father and say I love you. More films need to made like this. It seems Hollywood is interested in special effects movies and they have forgotten the heart. On a separate note, Rick Schroder just made his own boxing film called "Black Cloud"it is also amazing and has tons of heart, The boxing scenes in Schroders film are the best I have ever seen. The same boxing coach from the champ worked on Schroders BLACK CLOUD. DVD comes out June 7th for Black Cloud.

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    Related interests

    Sylvester Stallone and Carl Weathers in Rocky (1976)
    Boxing
    Casey Affleck and Michelle Williams in Manchester by the Sea (2016)
    Tragedy
    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill in Moneyball (2011)
    Sport

    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
      At the gym in the beginning of the film, Tex Cobb is being battered in a sparring match and his seconds call him Tommy. At the end of the film, Cobb is featured as Roland Bowers, Heavyweight Contender.
    • 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)

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    FAQ19

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    Details

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

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 2h 1m(121 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • 4-Track Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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