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Champion (1949)

Kirk Douglas , Marilyn Maxwell , Mark Robson  |  NR |  DVD
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)

Price: $24.45 & FREE Shipping on orders over $25. Details
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Product Details

  • Actors: Kirk Douglas, Marilyn Maxwell, Arthur Kennedy, Paul Stewart, Ruth Roman
  • Directors: Mark Robson
  • Format: Black & White, NTSC, Color
  • Language: English
  • Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  • Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
  • Number of discs: 1
  • Rated: NR (Not Rated)
  • Studio: Republic Pictures
  • DVD Release Date: October 4, 2001
  • Run Time: 99 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: B00005Y6ZV
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #138,741 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
  • Learn more about "Champion" on IMDb

Special Features

None.

Editorial Reviews

Kirk Douglas, Marilyn Maxwell. Intense story of an angry, emotionless man who becomes a prizefighter, winning many fans and the adoration of women. 1949/color/100 min/NR/fullscreen.

Customer Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
(25)
4.6 out of 5 stars
I agree with the assessment that this film is like a Greek tragedy. nodice  |  3 reviewers made a similar statement
All the cast is outstanding. Hiram Gomez Pardo  |  3 reviewers made a similar statement
All in all, a very enjoyable film. Teacher Mom  |  4 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
26 of 28 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Hard hitting early pugilist flick September 20, 2003
Format:DVD
Interesting that right around the same time--the late 40s--three different films were all released with basically the same theme and plot: The Set-Up (w. Robert Ryan); Champion (w. Kirk Douglas); and Body and Soul (w. John Garfield). Ryan's film is a very good piece of work while the Garfield film is, by today's standards, heavy-handed, thus dated. But the Kirk Douglas film is, in fact, the Champion.

The boxing scenes are realistic--in spite of Douglas' recent nose job, made during filming, preventing any of his sparring partners to hit anywhere near his schnozz. But more than anything else, it's Douglas' tremendous charisma and energy that raise this film above the norm. Douglas, as did Garfield in the earlier Body and Soul, plays a guy mired in poverty who sees boxing as a quick way out of the hole and, once initially successful, wants nothing but more: both money and success. And nothing standing in his way will prevent him from getting what he wants. But while Garfield's portrayal of selfishness is forced and, as well, entrenched in cliched dialogue, both Douglas' acting and the far more intelligent script make Midge Kelly's (Douglas) relentless quest for power tremendously believable.

Arthur Kennedy is Connie, Midge's brother whose leg was busted when he was a kid and now walks with a cane. The three--yep, count 'em, three--women in Midge's life add a lot of juice to the film and a nice touch is the casting of a brunette who's Midge's girl when he's poor and two blondes when he's rich and successful. Back in them days, blondes were IT. (Marilyn Monroe and Jayne Mansfield carried on the tradition).

Champion gives you a great view of life in the late 40s as well....

This is more a precursor to Raging Bull than Rocky; the latter character is always good, while DeNiro's character is akin to Midge Kelly--rising quickly from a life in the streets to attain fame and fortune, even if toes get stepped on and hearts gets smashed to pieces (Rocky would never do stuff like that).

A strong piece of cinema; recommended. Read more ›

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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Not so much a Noir, more a greek tragedy January 31, 2005
Format:DVD
Kirk Douglas as the classic greek tragic figure: a hero with a fatal flaw.

Arthur Kennedy and Kirk Douglas play down-on-their-luck brothers (Connie and Midge Kelly, respectively) travelling west to take possession of their part ownership of a restaurant. When they arrive they discover that they had been scammed. Along the way out to the restaurant, Midge made a little money at a boxing exhibition where he caught the eye of a promotor. Midge and Connie work for a while at the restaurant, but Midge's single-minded pursuit of a better life and the respect he feels he deserves causes him to abandon his newly minted wife and head out to seek his fortune in the boxing ring. Midge is a single-minded character like none you've ever seen. This single-mindedness drags him down, extinguishing his humanity as he climbs his way upward. As with most tragic heroes, he finally sacrifices himself when he allows his misdeeds to finally engulf him.

Kirk is fabulous. The fight scenes are convincing and well filmed. The story hops along. This movie represents Arthur Kennedy's most accessible performance as the humane, crippled brother representing the greek chorus reminding the main character of his morality. This is an excellent movie.
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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Surprisingly fascinating December 22, 1998
Format:VHS Tape
Kirk Douglas plays an emotionally bankrupt man driven by poverty and anger to become a champion prizefighter. His energy and confidence attract love and loyalty from people who contribute to his success but become hurt and disillusioned by his ingratitude and betrayal. The plot is fairly simple, but the film holds interest through its portrayal of a man devoid of self-understanding, whose ambition can never truly be satisfied despite his apparent success. The most intense scenes are in the boxing ring, where no amount of punishment can stop him.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Another great Kirk performance August 26, 2007
By nodice
Format:DVD
4.5 stars. I heard so much about this film for so long, so I finally sat down and watched it. At first I didn't think I was going to like it, because the lighting bothered me. But as the film progressed, the lighting fit. Douglas plays an ambitious boxer in the 1940s who like most celebrities get caught up and those around him are the first to get burned. I agree with the assessment that this film is like a Greek tragedy. i kept wanting for Kelly to snap out of it, but alas...
This movie a classic for a reason and if you haven't seen it, you need to do yourself a favor and check it out.
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Douglas a champion in this role November 8, 2005
Format:DVD
Kirk Douglas was marvelous in creating a signature role in his portrayal of boxer and eventual champion Midge Kelly in the hard hitting, gritty 1949 flick "Champion". Based on a story by the revered author Ring Lardner, the movie chronicles the rise and inevitable fall of Kelly.

Hitchhiking to the west coast with his crippled brother Connie played poignantly by Arthur Kennedy, Douglas gets briefly introduced to the world of boxing but rejects it. The brothers are headed to California to take over a diner in which they purchased a share. Realizing they'd been swindled by the rightful owner Lew Bryce played by Harry Shannon when they arrive there, they take a job in the place.

Douglas and Shannon's daughter Emma played by Ruth Roman fall in love, but a hastily arranged shotgun wedding spoils things and Douglas runs out. He seeks out boxing trainer Tommy Haley played by Paul Stewart who he'd met previously. Stewart takes Douglas under his wing and under his tutelage and supported by his brother Douglas becomes a seasoned and tough boxing contender.

Unable to get a deserved title shot he dumps his trainer and signs on with a high rolling and connected trainer Jerry Harris after being seduced by bad girl Grace Diamond played by platinum tressed Marilyn Maxwell.

Douglas commences to foresake all those who care for him as he climbs his way to the top eschewing his brother, manager, mother and estranged but still caring wife. His whole personna becomes altered to mimic the beast he becomes inside the ring. He begins to see the error of his ways on the eve of an important title fight, bringing his closest allies back into his life. The seeds of tragedy have already been planted however and Douglas faces an ignoble future.
... Read more ›
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars A NOT SO "CHAMPION" BLU RAY FROM OLIVE FILMS
After purchasing and watching Olive Films recently released Blu-ray of "Champion"(1949) I can honestly say that this great film is badly in need of a complete restoration. Read more
Published 1 month ago by MICHAEL STODGHILL
5.0 out of 5 stars A Knockout In All Respects
There can be no reservations about "Champion". It is a virtually perfect film. The title is ironic. Read more
Published 1 month ago by David Baldwin
5.0 out of 5 stars Classic Kirk Douglas
I have been a boxing fan all my life .. This boxing movie rates right up there with
Rocky, Raging Bull , Somebody up there Likes Me and all the other great boxing films
Published 1 month ago by HipsterGuy
5.0 out of 5 stars Formidable film; tour de force direction, agile script, amazing...
Kirk Douglas gave a knock out performance in the role of an unscrupulous man who through his attempt to climmb the eternal snows of the stardom and the championship has not any... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Hiram Gomez Pardo
5.0 out of 5 stars Classic
Great film. What a great classic. Kirk Douglas is great and you really see the transformation of a guy from nothing to champion and back. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Michael Oh
5.0 out of 5 stars Champion
I hadn't had a chance to see this film in years, and obtaining my own copy brought back memories of a then relatively new actor named Kirk Douglas. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Robert D. Woods
5.0 out of 5 stars Fast Ship Excellent Condition
I would buy from this merchant again. I was so surprised to receive my item so fast and in excellent condition...Thank you!
Published 17 months ago by Moxieduzz
5.0 out of 5 stars Surprise, Color!
It doesn't say so in the product description, or on the box, but one side of the disc has a colorized version. I have had this dvd for 5 years and I only just figured it out. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Dr. Pretorius
4.0 out of 5 stars A real Champion
Excellent boxing drama,a young Kirk Douglas plays alongside Arthur Kennedy in a gritty and
entertaining rise to riches story in the world of professional boxing.
Published on March 18, 2011 by easyandy
4.0 out of 5 stars champion
Tape played a little on the dark side, but I was satisfied, to say Thank You, and to hope to business again...
Published on January 18, 2011 by Donald Kershan
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