The Harder They Fall

1956
Approved
1h 49m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

Humphrey Bogart, Rod Steiger, and Jan Sterling in The Harder They Fall (1956)

An ex-sportswriter is hired by a shady fight promoter to promote his latest find, an unknown but easily exploitable rising star from Argentina.An ex-sportswriter is hired by a shady fight promoter to promote his latest find, an unknown but easily exploitable rising star from Argentina.An ex-sportswriter is hired by a shady fight promoter to promote his latest find, an unknown but easily exploitable rising star from Argentina.

Director
- Mark Robson
Writers
- Philip Yordan
- Budd Schulberg
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.5/10

9.5K

YOUR RATING

Director
- Mark Robson
Writers
- Philip Yordan
- Budd Schulberg
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 2 nominations total

Photos93

+ 88

Top cast99+

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Humphrey Bogart

Eddie Willis

Rod Steiger

Nick Benko

Jan Sterling

Beth Willis

Mike Lane

Toro Moreno

Max Baer

Buddy Brannen

Jersey Joe Walcott

George

Edward Andrews

Jim Weyerhause

Harold J. Stone

Art Leavitt

Carlos Montalbán

Luís Agrandi
(as Carlos Montalban)

Nehemiah Persoff

Felice Orlandi

Vince Fawcett

Herbie Faye

Rusty Lane

Danny McKeogh

Jack Albertson

Joanne Arnold

Pretty Girl
(uncredited)

Val Avery

Frank
(uncredited)

Al Baffert

Fighter
(uncredited)

Bill Baldwin

Oklahoma City Ring Announcer
(uncredited)

Director
- Mark Robson
Writers
- Philip Yordan
- Budd Schulberg
All cast & crew
Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
Joe Greb has a small and uncredited role as a brain-damaged boxer who gives an interview about the damaging effects of the sport. In reality, Greb had a 12 year career as a boxer and fought in 119 bouts during that period. Greb suffered irreparable brain damage from his time as a boxer and was a vocal proponent of fighter safety. In essence, he plays himself in this film.

Goofs
In the opening, when Eddie hires a cab, initially it's a '55 Plymouth; in the next scene, as they're driving off, it's a '54 Ford.

Quotes
[Willis tells Toro to throw his fight with Buddy Brannen to avoid getting hurt]
Toro Moreno: I don't know, I don't know. What would people think of me?
Eddie Willis: What do you care what a bunch of bloodthirsty, screaming people think of you? Did you ever get a look at their faces? They pay a few lousy bucks hoping to see a man get killed. To hell with them! Think of yourself. Get your money and get out of this rotten business.

Connections
Featured in Great Performances: Bacall on Bogart (1988)

User reviews100

Review

Featured review

9/10

Bogart is truly brilliant in this.

Humphrey Bogart is truly brilliant in this, his last film. "The Harder They Fall" (1956) is a stunning indictment of the boxing profession. The film also marks Humphrey Bogart's final performance as a former sports writer turned publicist — and he's in good company. Bogie's scenes with Rod Steiger, Jan Sterling and Mike Lane (as the giant Argentinian boxer) are truly memorable.

In addition to Bogart's fantastic performance, Rod Steiger chews the scenery nicely as a corrupt manager. Their scenes together are really well done, and very well written. I particularly enjoyed the scene after the big fight where Bogart presses to find out how much their fighter will ultimately wind up for getting so badly beaten in the ring.

There are probably a good dozen very, very good fight films, and this belongs to their number. The tension in the film derives from the ultimate conflict between Bogart's inherent decency and Steiger's unmitigated exploitativeness. The two had great on screen chemistry in their scenes together. They employed very different acting styles, Steiger being one of the first Method actors to enjoy success in the movies. Bogart was strictly old school, but he not only held his own, he dominated their scenes together.

Humphrey Bogart's last movie was a triumph! His acting was terrific! Excellent movie!