Requiem for a Heavyweight
starring: Anthony Quinn, Jackie Gleason, Mickey Rooney, Julie Harris, Stanley Adams
directed by: Ralph Nelson
directed by: Ralph Nelson
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Product Description:
Studio: Sony Pictures Home EntRelease Date: 05/27/2008Run time: 86 minutesRating: Nr
Amazon.com:
This feature version of Rod Serling's memorable teleplay, theatrically released in 1962, was previously produced in 1956 forlive television. The grim tale stars Anthony Quinn as a brain-damaged fighter suffering from too many years in the ring yet pushed into another and yet another punishing round by his corrupt manager (Jackie Gleason). Yearning for a life of his own, Quinn's burned-out hitter falls for a shy social worker (Julie Harris), while Gleason's small-timer tries fending off the pressures of truly bad guys who want the money he owes them. Directed by Ralph Nelson (who also made the TV version), this Requiem opens up into a powerful piece of social realism with the undercurrent of a cautionary fable. The characters are almost archetypal, the story never stops moving, the acting is superb (Mickey Rooney is very good as Quinn's reluctant trainer), and the ending is nightmarishly apt. --Tom Keogh
Studio: Sony Pictures Home EntRelease Date: 05/27/2008Run time: 86 minutesRating: Nr
Amazon.com:
This feature version of Rod Serling's memorable teleplay, theatrically released in 1962, was previously produced in 1956 forlive television. The grim tale stars Anthony Quinn as a brain-damaged fighter suffering from too many years in the ring yet pushed into another and yet another punishing round by his corrupt manager (Jackie Gleason). Yearning for a life of his own, Quinn's burned-out hitter falls for a shy social worker (Julie Harris), while Gleason's small-timer tries fending off the pressures of truly bad guys who want the money he owes them. Directed by Ralph Nelson (who also made the TV version), this Requiem opens up into a powerful piece of social realism with the undercurrent of a cautionary fable. The characters are almost archetypal, the story never stops moving, the acting is superb (Mickey Rooney is very good as Quinn's reluctant trainer), and the ending is nightmarishly apt. --Tom Keogh
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: 
- a must see
Three of the biggest and best know actors to appear in a film in the 20th century!! Jackie Gleason, Anthony Quinn, and Mickey Rooney put in EXCELLENT performances about he fight game ( boxing ) of the era.
The real emphasis of the storyline is a powerful performance about loyalty, betrayal, reward, and the realities of lifes experience. Even the supporting actors do a great job on this masterpiece although somewhat dated. The power of this film is in the performers themselves. It is ... Read More
Rating: 
- Great movie, but get the VHS "Playhouse 90" original version instead.
I have been told there are three versions of this Rod Serling story, this one, the Playhouse 90 TV original, and the DVD, which is from this same theatrical release with some edits that remove some key parts.
Of the three, I bought this first, only to realize later that the one I had intended to get was the TV version starring the late Jack Palance.
Don't get me wrong, as this version is still very good, and Jackie Gleason, Mickey Rooney, and Anthony Quinn all do a terrific job, but the ... Read More
Rating: - dvd
Thanks for having this other hard to find dvd. The suprise was even greater when this arrived. It was shipped fast and in time for the holidays.
Rating: - 3.5 stars out of 4
The Bottom Line:
A searing, heartbreaking, and expertly-written drama, Requiem for a Heavyweight never made it into the pantheon of classic films but that doesn't mean it doesn't deserve a place there.
Rating: - "Requiem, Inc."
The film, Requiem for a Heavyweight, has many brilliant scenes, especially the ending, which is better than the televised version, where Mountain takes off to take a counseling job at a children's camp.In the film version, without giving too much away, Mountain's shallows his pride, but keeps his integrity by saving his manager's life; therefore, giving away what little he had left for a manager who sold him out - a true sign of character!
Earlier in the film, after Mountain is told ... Read More
- a must seeThree of the biggest and best know actors to appear in a film in the 20th century!! Jackie Gleason, Anthony Quinn, and Mickey Rooney put in EXCELLENT performances about he fight game ( boxing ) of the era.
The real emphasis of the storyline is a powerful performance about loyalty, betrayal, reward, and the realities of lifes experience. Even the supporting actors do a great job on this masterpiece although somewhat dated. The power of this film is in the performers themselves. It is ... Read More
- Great movie, but get the VHS "Playhouse 90" original version instead.I have been told there are three versions of this Rod Serling story, this one, the Playhouse 90 TV original, and the DVD, which is from this same theatrical release with some edits that remove some key parts.
Of the three, I bought this first, only to realize later that the one I had intended to get was the TV version starring the late Jack Palance.
Don't get me wrong, as this version is still very good, and Jackie Gleason, Mickey Rooney, and Anthony Quinn all do a terrific job, but the ... Read More
- dvdThanks for having this other hard to find dvd. The suprise was even greater when this arrived. It was shipped fast and in time for the holidays.
- 3.5 stars out of 4The Bottom Line:
A searing, heartbreaking, and expertly-written drama, Requiem for a Heavyweight never made it into the pantheon of classic films but that doesn't mean it doesn't deserve a place there.
- "Requiem, Inc."The film, Requiem for a Heavyweight, has many brilliant scenes, especially the ending, which is better than the televised version, where Mountain takes off to take a counseling job at a children's camp.In the film version, without giving too much away, Mountain's shallows his pride, but keeps his integrity by saving his manager's life; therefore, giving away what little he had left for a manager who sold him out - a true sign of character!
Earlier in the film, after Mountain is told ... Read More
