Boxing is a fantastic form of exercise and just as much fun to watch as it is to participate. For those who love everything about boxing, it is a good idea to take your love of boxing onto the big screen and make sure to catch the following great boxing movies.
Number one and two (or perhaps a tie for the top spot) really deserves to be given to Sylvester Stallone's masterpiece "Rocky" and Robert De Niro's turn as real-life fighter, Jake La Motta in "Raging Bull." "Raging Bull" is a masterpiece, both of acting and storytelling as well as direction, and absolutely one of Martin Scorsese's best films. La Motta, an amazing fighter, was a complicated man often prone to fits of violence, and De Niro definitely does him justice. "Rocky," on the other hand, was a far more likeable character, but this likeability never detracts from the drama of the movie itself. Stallone was perfect in the role, and the supporting cast is outstanding, as well.
When it comes to boxing personalities, there are none as iconic as Muhammad Ali's. His brilliance in the ring combined as well as his uniqueness as an individual both are highlighted in the film "When We Were Kings." While this is a documentary and not technically a movie, it did win the Oscar for Best Documentary Film, and it showcases an amazing moment in boxing history and is a look back at the early 1970s. Ali was a beloved and controversial figure who had been suspended for several years after refusing to obey the draft. George Foreman was the current heavyweight champ and definitely a force to be reckoned with. When you combine it all, the result was a fantastic documentary well worth a look.
Ali actually took a turn as an actor in 1979's "Freedom Road," but that isn't at all about boxing. To see Ali when he was still known by the name Cassius Clay, take a look at "Requiem for a Heavyweight." Ali is seen in the opening fight of the movie, where he pummels a once-great fighter, played by Anthony Quinn, at the end of his career. The movie also stars Jackie Gleason as his unworthy manager, who owes money to the mafia after betting against Quinn during his bout against Cassius Clay.
Girls can fight, too, and if you are a disbeliever, check out "Million Dollar Baby," the 2004 classic film which stars Hilary Swank, Clint Eastwood and Morgan Freeman. Eastwood also directed, and both he and Swank won Oscars for this film, which tells the story of a hardened by life trainer and a young girl determined to become a professional boxer. The performances of each member of the cast are fantastic, and the story itself is riveting.
These are just a few great boxing films, and there are many more, some old and some new, and many based upon real-life fighters. "The Fighter," which stars Christian Bale and Mark Wahlberg is a dramatization of fighter Micky Ward and his complicated half-brother, Dicky Eklund, who helped Ward train for the world light welterweight title. Another great film about boxing is "Cinderella Man," which starts Russell Crowe and legendary fighter James Braddock. In "The Hurricane," Denzel Washington does an admirable job of portraying Ruben "Hurricane" Carter, a rising star in the boxing world who is sent to prison after being wrongly accused of murder. The last movie is less about boxing than the others but still a great movie.
About the Author:
Rod Bourgoine likes writing about mixed martial arts benefits. For more information about boxing gyms in San Diego or to find boxing clubs San Diego, please check out The Arena MMA website now.
Boxing is a fantastic form of exercise and just as much fun to watch as it is to participate. For those who love everything about boxing, it is a good idea to take your love of boxing onto the big screen and make sure to catch the following great boxing movies.
Number one and two (or perhaps a tie for the top spot) really deserves to be given to Sylvester Stallone's masterpiece "Rocky" and Robert De Niro's turn as real-life fighter, Jake La Motta in "Raging Bull." "Raging Bull" is a masterpiece, both of acting and storytelling as well as direction, and absolutely one of Martin Scorsese's best films. La Motta, an amazing fighter, was a complicated man often prone to fits of violence, and De Niro definitely does him justice. "Rocky," on the other hand, was a far more likeable character, but this likeability never detracts from the drama of the movie itself. Stallone was perfect in the role, and the supporting cast is outstanding, as well.
When it comes to boxing personalities, there are none as iconic as Muhammad Ali's. His brilliance in the ring combined as well as his uniqueness as an individual both are highlighted in the film "When We Were Kings." While this is a documentary and not technically a movie, it did win the Oscar for Best Documentary Film, and it showcases an amazing moment in boxing history and is a look back at the early 1970s. Ali was a beloved and controversial figure who had been suspended for several years after refusing to obey the draft. George Foreman was the current heavyweight champ and definitely a force to be reckoned with. When you combine it all, the result was a fantastic documentary well worth a look.
Ali actually took a turn as an actor in 1979's "Freedom Road," but that isn't at all about boxing. To see Ali when he was still known by the name Cassius Clay, take a look at "Requiem for a Heavyweight." Ali is seen in the opening fight of the movie, where he pummels a once-great fighter, played by Anthony Quinn, at the end of his career. The movie also stars Jackie Gleason as his unworthy manager, who owes money to the mafia after betting against Quinn during his bout against Cassius Clay.
Girls can fight, too, and if you are a disbeliever, check out "Million Dollar Baby," the 2004 classic film which stars Hilary Swank, Clint Eastwood and Morgan Freeman. Eastwood also directed, and both he and Swank won Oscars for this film, which tells the story of a hardened by life trainer and a young girl determined to become a professional boxer. The performances of each member of the cast are fantastic, and the story itself is riveting.
These are just a few great boxing films, and there are many more, some old and some new, and many based upon real-life fighters. "The Fighter," which stars Christian Bale and Mark Wahlberg is a dramatization of fighter Micky Ward and his complicated half-brother, Dicky Eklund, who helped Ward train for the world light welterweight title. Another great film about boxing is "Cinderella Man," which starts Russell Crowe and legendary fighter James Braddock. In "The Hurricane," Denzel Washington does an admirable job of portraying Ruben "Hurricane" Carter, a rising star in the boxing world who is sent to prison after being wrongly accused of murder. The last movie is less about boxing than the others but still a great movie.
About the Author:
Rod Bourgoine likes writing about mixed martial arts benefits. For more information about boxing gyms in San Diego or to find boxing clubs San Diego, please check out The Arena MMA website now.
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