#PRIZE FIGHTER MOVIES MOVIE#

The movie takes viewers through the ordinary linear flow of life, as we can expect, but doesn’t delve deep enough to make us care about him or the seemingly tumultuous life he’s had. Growing up watching his revered grandfather Jack Slack (Russell Crowe) fight as a prize fighter, the young Belcher (Hookings) follows in his footsteps, despite the cries of his mother (Jodhi May) and at age 22, was left partially blind before he died at the young age of 30.Ī standard underdog story, viewers see Jem emerge as a champion, only to meet his downfall and then ascend back to glory. This biographical drama, about the birth of boxing as a sport, explores the life of Jem Belcher, who became the youngest ever world champion boxer, and the Champion of England. Maybe it’s the passion that surrounds it, the human spirit, sheer brutality, or even the money, but whatever the inspiration, boxing films have brought amazing performances from Hollywood, birthing classics including the Rocky series, Raging Bull, Southpaw, Ali, Creed, Million Dollar Baby and more – all of which have knocked our socks off with their raw, gritty exploration of the physical activity.īut what makes the sport even more cinematically astounding, is that so many of these films are based on true stories, and Matt Hookings and Daniel Graham’s Prizefighter: The Life of Jem Belcher is yet another contender entering the ring, taking boxing fans back to the turn of the last century, in early 19th century England. Yet while Belcher's feint, move, and hit prove unpredictable to his opponents, the same can't be said for the plot, and for that reason it fails to land any memorable punches.Sports movies refer to films revolving around any sport, and while basketball or even football are popular the world over, there is no sport that has had more movies made about the activity than boxing. But they're well choreographed, and Hookings is believable as the tip-toeing, hard-hitting Belcher - Hookings' real-life father was a boxing champion of some note. The movie's fight scenes are relentless, bloody, and at times gory. Meanwhile, Winstone is responsible for around 90% of the entire film's cursing - 'f-king' being a particular favorite of his character, Bill Warr. Crowe's Jack Slack gruffs and hits his way through the opening 30 minutes, never quite mastering the English West Country accent. However, even they play up to clichéd caricatures of themselves. The film is given some gravitas by a couple of heavyweights in the shape of Russell Crowe, who plays Belcher's troubled grandfather, and Ray Winstone, who plays the young boxer's weathered trainer. There are even a couple of training montages thrown in for good measure, complete with Belcher - played by Hookings, who also wrote the screenplay - having to catch a fish with his bare hands and being intentionally stung by a river snake. Prizefighter: The Life of Jem Belcher is a classic rags-to-riches, back-to-rags tale, with its central character learning some important life lessons along the way. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weeklyĭespite being based on a true story and set in 19th century England, this British boxing movie follows a well-trodden path seen in countless sporting dramas before it. Characters are regularly shown drinking, with Slack appearing to have an alcohol use disorder. During a debauched party, a topless woman serves drinks. There are several sex scenes, though these are brief and don't contain any nudity.

Language includes variants of 'f-k,' most of which come from Warr. Gambling features heavily, including on cockfighting, which although not graphic may upset some.

Warr is forced to cut the eyelid of Belcher's other eye in order to relieve swelling.

During one fight, Belcher has to have his eye popped back into its socket, although this is implied rather than shown. Characters are punched, headbutted, elbowed, and knocked unconscious. The boxing scenes - most of which are bare-knuckle - are brutal and bloody. Although he loses his way - to drink and the company of women - he regains his focus and learns some important lessons along the way. Inspired by his grandfather Jack Slack ( Russell Crowe) and under the guidance of trainer Bill Warr ( Ray Winstone), Jem Belcher (Matt Hookings) boxes his way out of poverty and into Britain's high society. Parents need to know that Prizefighter: The Life of Jem Belcher is a bloody and violent drama about a real-life British boxing champion in the 19th century.

Prize fighter movies