Conversations, dispatches and ideas from the Bush Theatre.
We’re getting in the boxing story mood with five absolute classics of the genre. Lets go ringside into the noble sport.
The film that Sylvester Stallone wrote and starred in, which catapulted him to fame. Rocky is the classic underdog story that boxing movies have emulated for years after. Rocky Balboa battles his way to contest the heavyweight title in seek of the American Dream. Sports movies have been copying its famous training montage sequence ever since. A timeless classic.
Expertly directed by Martin Scorsese and powerfully acted by Robert De Niro, this black and white classic is a masterpiece. It is a biographical tale of the self-destructive middleweight boxer Jake LaMotta and has received plaudits across the board. Regarded as one of the greatest films of all time.
A sequel to Rocky and the best. The former World Heavyweight Champion Rocky Balboa serves as a trainer and mentor to a young boxer. Sequential but not inessential. And it’s on Netflix.
A masterwork of a great American filmmaker Clint Eastwood which won multiple Academy Awards. Elegant, character-driven storytelling with an outstanding performance from Hilary Swank whose character Maggie emerges from”no account white trash” to staggering heroine.
This film focuses on the years 1964-74 in the life of the late Muhammad Ali and follows the dramatic events of both his charged political and boxing life. Will Smith stars.A brilliant film about one of the greatest boxers of all time. Boxing historians continue to debate whether Jack Johnson (who inspired The Royale) or Muhammad Ali would win in a fight.
In the mood for more boxing, close-up, in the flesh with an epic story of race relations in early twentieth century America? The Royale tells the story of Jack Johnson at The Tabernacle 3-26 Nov 2016. You can get tickets here.
