The Harder They Fall (1956)

Humphrey Bogart's final screen role was in this 1956 film by Mark Robson (Home of the Brave), about a cynical sportswriter who becomes a press agent and sees firsthand how badly boxers are used and manipulated by crooked managers. The story finds Bogart's character waffling about the ethics surrounding the exploitation of an overrated fighter who will earn money for his handlers in the short term, then be tossed onto the scrap heap. This is a very tough tale written by Budd Schulberg and shot with determined unromanticism; the boxing sequences are among the most striking and violent ever committed to film. Jan Sterling plays Bogart's wife, who watches him vacillate about whether to expose the fight syndicate as a racket. --Tom Keogh Amazon.com

Nice sports drama.

Not bad, The Harder They Fall was the last film starring legendary actor Humphrey Bogart. Its a tale of corruption and greed in the sports and entertainment business, Humphrey Bogart stars as Eddie Willis a sports writer who is drawn into the ring of corruption when he agrees to promote an unknown fighter from South America named Toro Moreno (Mike Lane) who despite his huge size is a lousy fighter who cannot box but soon becomes heavy weight champion of the world allegedly through fixed fights. Beyond the obvious corruption in the fight game as the movie clearly depicts, the film is also about the danger of selling out doing something you know is wrong for money. Unfortunately Eddie Willis desperately needs the money since hes out of luck, there is also a fantastic performance by Rod Stieger as the crooked manager who was quite intense and likes to steal as much money from El Toro as he uses him as a cash cow. Humphrey Bogart is terrific as always and shows of his acting skills along with the great cast, he of course had some better films like Casablanca, The Treasure Of The Seirra Madre, The Big Sleep ect. but this film was still pretty good compared to those I would say that it holds up quite well. The film was nicely directed by Mark Robson and was released in 1956 with beautifully shot fight scenes and a fantastic score along with some great b/w cinematography, this of course being the last Bogart film is very essential to Bogart fans and fans of classic cinema. April 25, 2008

Bogart took a slow boat to China!

"The harder they fall" is one of the bleakest films around the well known box underworld, genre that found a majuscule Ambassador in the emblematic film "Set up", directed by Robert Wise. On the other hand the dark and sinister ambiance assured it as one of the most potent Noirs ever made.

But also, this was the last performance of that mythical actor named Humphrey Bogart, who inspired by Paul Muni, inspired besides to so many actors of future generations like Lee Marvin, Al Pacino and Tim Roth among other ones.

A fundamental issue on your collection.
January 9, 2008

Bogart's Powerful Finale

Based on Budd Schulberg's 1947 novel, "The Harder They Fall" (1956) is a stunning indictment of the boxing profession. The film also marks Humphrey Bogart's final performance as a former sports writer turned publicist - and he's in good company. Bogie's scenes with Rod Steiger, Jan Sterling and Mike Lane (as the giant Argentinian boxer) are truly memorable. Mark Robson's no-nonsense direction makes the most of Burnett Guffey's Oscar-nominated cinematography. Unlike most screen legends, Bogart ended his career in classic fashion. October 13, 2007

The Harder They Fall

An ailing Bogart made his final appearance in Mark Robson's raw, hard-hitting film about corruption in the boxing world, playing a jaded press agent with a biting conscience. Steiger is in top form playing the ferocious ringleader of fraudulent bettors, and Mike Lane, as dim-witted, cruelly manipulated boxer Toro Moreno (modeled after Primo Carnero) is poignant and credible. Adapted from Budd Schulberg's novel, "Fall" spares nothing in portraying the unquenchable greed of local promoters, the rabidity of fans, and the heartbreaking physical toll the sport takes on the bodies of men who are barely regarded as human. June 26, 2007

One Great Film

I was pleasantly surprised to catch this film on TV the other day. Bogart's final film is a testament to his career, a tough film about a conflicted man who ultimately rises to the challenge and pursues the morally virtuous course, at great personal, professional, and financial cost.

In addition to Bogart's fantastic performance, Rod Steiger chews the scenery nicely as a corrupt manager. Their scenes together are really well done, and very well written. I particularly enjoyed the scene after the big fight where Bogart presses to find out how much their fighter will ultimately wind up for getting so badly beaten in the ring.

But for me I truly enjoyed Mike Lane's performance as the up and coming Argentinian fighter El Toro, who is huge, honest, religious, but unfortunately a terrible fighter. His performance is precious.

Highly recommended. April 26, 2007

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