Jobless sportswriter Eddie Willis is hired by corrupt fight promoter Nick Benko to promote his current protégé, an unknown Argentinian boxer named Toro Moreno. Although Moreno is a hulking giant, his chances for success are hampered by a powder-puff punch and a glass… Read more
85% ★★★★☆ (10,338)
The Harder They Fall
Where to watch: Buy
Movie · Drama · NR
1956 · 1h 49m · ★ 85% (10K)
No Punches Pulled! If you thought "On The Waterfront" hit hard... wait till you see this one!
Director: Mark Robson
Starring: Humphrey Bogart, Rod Steiger, Jan Sterling
Overview
Jobless sportswriter Eddie Willis is hired by corrupt fight promoter Nick Benko to promote his current protégé, an unknown Argentinian boxer named Toro Moreno. Although Moreno is a hulking giant, his chances for success are hampered by a powder-puff punch and a glass jaw. Exploiting Willis' reputation for integrity and standing in the boxing community, Benko arranges a series of fixed fights that propel the unsophisticated Moreno to #1 contender for the championship. The reigning champ, the sadistic Buddy Brannen, harbors resentment at the publicity Toro has been receiving and vows to viciously punish him in the ring. Eddie must now decide whether or not to tell the naive Toro the truth.
Director
Mark Robson
Production
Columbia Pictures
Cast
Humphrey Bogart, Rod Steiger, Jan Sterling, Mike Lane, Max Baer, Jersey Joe Walcott, Edward Andrews, Harold J. Stone, Carlos Montalbán, Nehemiah Persoff, Felice Orlandi, Herbie Faye, Rusty Lane, Jack Albertson, Paul Frees, William Henry, Frank McLure, William H. O'Brien, Bert Stevens, Arthur Tovey