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Plot

One of the most memorable sports dramas because of its strong character development, Requiem for a Heavyweight is carried by Anthony Quinn as the washed-up boxer Mountain Rivera, and Jackie Gleason as his sleazy manager, Maish Rennick. In the opening scenes, Cassius Clay -- before he became Muhammad Ali -- knocks out Rivera in a stunning fight sequence. Rivera's career is over, and although his trainer Army (Mickey Rooney) and a social worker (Julie Harris) encourage him with vain hopes for an alternate career, the boxer's courage is stronger than his addled senses, a serious barrier to getting any job. Then Rivera's manager Rennick breaks down and tells him he has lost a gambling bet against the fighter and needs him to bail him out -- by becoming a wrestler. The question is, will Rivera take this humiliating path just to save his unethical manager, or will he stick to his scruples and reject the idea?
MPAA Rating:
Genre(s):
Drama
Run Time:
86min.
DVD Release Date:
05/14/2002
Distributor(s):
Columbia Pictures
Director(s):
Ralph Nelson
Starring:
Anthony Quinn , Jackie Gleason , Mickey Rooney , Julie Harris , Stanley Adams
Themes:
Down on Their Luck,Underdogs,Opposites Attract,Boxers,All Washed Up
Tone:
Bittersweet,Drab,Gritty,Intimate,Matter-of-Fact,Understated
Keywords:
aging,boxing,career,conflict,corruption,dignity,employment,forces [military],has-been,heavyweight,manager,performer,retirement,ring [jewelry],social-worker,sports,struggle,training
Language:
English