Humphrey Bogart died about a year after this movie was completed. That alone would give the film poignancy. But, for Bogart, this final work was a grand coda indeed! In many respects, this was a brave effort in 1956 to expose the seedy side of boxing, and it did so in a most spectacularly effective manner, likely better than any other effort that came before or after it.
Near the end of the film, long after the swindle was known by the audience, as well as the protagonist (Bogart), the bookkeeper continued pouring over every tidbit of budget magic showing the details of how the boxer was skillfully swindled of his money. All of the expenses were taken out of his share, as the others in the heist took their money off the top.
Other movies would have made it a swift effort, but director Mark Robson knew that the details of the swindle is what made it seedy, and so he wanted the audience to see and hear it all. And it is the details that come after the brutality that make the conclusion all the more powerful.
Ultimately, the moral lesson is that the worst profession a person can undertake is one that profits off the bodies of other people.
Of special note are the number of actual boxers who acted parts in the film, including Jersey Joe Walcott, who was heavyweight champion from 1951-52, and who delivered one of the best lines of the movie, when asked why their boxer didn't protect himself like he was instructed, replied, "Some guys can sell out and other guys just can't. Goodnight!" There was a lot about this movie that was ahead of its time, including the meaningful roles of black actors such as Wolcott.
Max Baer was the other real world fighter who played an important role in the film. He was heavyweight champion from 1934-35, winning the title against Primo Carnera, an historical fact that was eerily paralleled in this movie. So well did Baer play the role of the bloodthirsty pugilist, that his reputation as an actual boxer was sullied by people who foolishly confused his actual boxing career with his performance in this film!
It should not go without notice that two real-world heavyweight boxing champions played prominent roles in this film, which very much exposed the corruption in the sport. Today, that corruption is well known, but this film was made in 1956, when most people took the sport as being clean.
Today, the film remains as relevant as ever, and Bogart's skill is a prime reason why. He expertly sells the movie with the kind of adroit and nuanced acting that was the hallmark of the legend's career. Few actors get to make such a strong statement in his final role!
