El campeón

I cannot believe the rating this movie is only a 5.8. Have they seen the same movie as I have? I have watched "The Champ" several times and every time I cry even when I know what is going to happen. It is a story of a retired boxer and his son and the love the boy has for his father would be any father's dream. Even though the father has his faults (like we all do) he loves his son and tries to give his son a better life. I was just shocked at the rating and was compelled to vote. Usually the IMDb community gets it right but in this case they are dead wrong. 10 all they way!!! Great! Super! and very emotional. My whole family cried including my dog.

This is arguably Jon Voight's finest acting performance with the possible exception of The Odessa File.

Jon Voight plays Billy Flynn an ex boxing champion with Ricky Shroder playing his eight year old son, T.J Flynn. Billy Flynn is now a horse trainer bringing up his son after a divorce some seven years ago when T.J. was just a baby. Billy loves a drink and is addicted to gambling and bringing up his son does have problems.

The problems intensify when his ex-wife, now remarried, appears on the scene to see her son after seven long years. T.J. knows her only as Annie and is played by Faye Dunaway. Annie starts to come between Billy and T.J even though T.J has undying love for his father. As Billy gets further into trouble, his only way of securing a life for his son is to make one last come-back into the boxing ring.

The film is very poignant, emotional and has so many sad sequences. Poor T.J. is constantly in tears and whenever his tears flowed, so did mine. The Champ is a superb movie, a must see, and although over 20 years old, still has a place today. The problems that existed then, still exist today. Booze, gambling, single parentage, divorce and reconciliation. Only the clothing fashions are different.

I have not seen this film for many years , ive not seen the dvd anywhere since i last watched it on tv years ago, the movie is a cross between kramer vs kramer and rocky the acting in this is sensational to say the least especially from a young ricky schroder who is now nearly unheard of , despite schroders fledgling career he is the only actor who has genuinely made me cry his performance in the closing scene is heart wrenching its so realistic its nearly unbearable, i will look out for this film in the future and when i see it again the tears are very likely to fall again .

Once upon a time, when I was 10 years old, my father took me from playing with my friends to see this movie called "The Champ." And now, I can't wait to share it with MY children. Truly, the most EMOTIONAL movie I've ever seen. Jon Voight plays the role of ex-Boxing champion Billy Flynn who attempts a comeback to help his son. Ricky Schroder is the object of affection from his down-on-his-luck father, AND his rich mother (Faye Dunaway)who deserted him many years ago. The conflict between the parents is so painfully realistic, but it's Ricky's acting performance as T.J. that steals the show and your heart. Have SEVERAL boxes of tissue handy when viewing this film, because there are MANY scenes that will draw tears from the hardest of hearts. NO ONE can sit through this film and not be affected by the emotional impact, unless they are just a cold-hearted, unloving, uncareing person. I rate this one a 10-hanky MUST-SEE!

I first watched this film in 1980 as a five year old with my gran and we managed to distort the credits through our tears and sobbing. I received the video about four years ago, and as a twenty-two year old it had the same effect. Last night, I watched the Champ with my girlfriend and I am happy to say that the years haven't mellowed me and we were both in floods of tears before I switched the film off. I defy anybody who has an emotional bone in their body not to be touched by the story of Billy Flynn, and more importantly TJ. I won't give any of the storyline away as it will make it all the better for watching if you haven't seen it. As for me, I can't wait until the Champ get's it DVD release as I will be first in the queue.

"I want the Champ !"