The Harder They Fall (1956)
In this searing final film of screen legend Humphrey Bogart, a down-on-his-luck sportswriter (Bogart) sells his soul to a ruthless boxing syndicate led by Rod Steiger’s chilling crime boss. Hired to hype an overmatched South American giant (Mike Lane) into a heavyweight contender through fixed fights and shameless propaganda, Bogart’s Eddie Willis grows rich while watching the naïve fighter get pummeled night after night. Torn between greed and conscience, and pushed by his disillusioned wife (Jan Sterling), Eddie finally risks everything to expose the brutal corruption that controls the fight game. A knockout noir masterpiece from director Mark Robson, The Harder They Fall is a savage indictment of the sweet science turned sour, featuring a towering performance from real-life ex-champ Max Baer as a battered has-been who knows the racket all too well. Bogart’s last bow is one of his very best, raw, cynical, and ultimately heartbreaking.
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