Le champion

Original title: The Champ

IMDb RATING

6.8/10

9.7K

YOUR RATING

A former boxer discovers that his biggest battle of all is going to be with his ex-wife, Annie, who returns after abandoning their young son seven years prior.

Play trailer2:13

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Boxing Tragedy Drama Sport

Billy Flynn is an ex-champion boxer who was KO'd by booze and gambling. When the wealthy, estranged mother of his young son begins trying to lure the boy away from him, Flynn must return to ... Read allBilly Flynn is an ex-champion boxer who was KO'd by booze and gambling. When the wealthy, estranged mother of his young son begins trying to lure the boy away from him, Flynn must return to the ring to provide for his child.Billy Flynn is an ex-champion boxer who was KO'd by booze and gambling. When the wealthy, estranged mother of his young son begins trying to lure the boy away from him, Flynn must return to the ring to provide for his child.

Director
- Franco Zeffirelli
Writers
- Frances Marion
- Walter Newman
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.8/10

9.7K

YOUR RATING

Director
- Franco Zeffirelli
Writers
- Frances Marion
- Walter Newman
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 2 wins & 8 nominations total

Videos1

Trailer 2:13

Official Trailer

Photos42

+ 35

User reviews73

6.89.7K

Featured reviews

10aj75

One of the most heart-rending films in the history of films

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 !"

scoobyg69

The most EMOTIONAL movie ever made, A 10-hanky MUST-SEE!

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!

7asd29

Probably the all time best weepie movie

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 .

mesamood

The Champ is one of the Greatest Films ever

The Champ is the most beautiful Father & Son story I have ever seen. The films emotional ending will go down in history as the saddest scene ever on film. Rick Schroder is amazing. A must see!!! Jon Voight is extremely convincing as a retired prize fighter. He also looks like Rick Schroders Father. Faye Dunaway come s off well. The director Zeffereli is a amazing story teller. You may have scene his Mac Beth with Mel Gibson. Rent this when you want to really feel some strong emotion. Rick Schroder was cast to stardom from it. It might just make you call your father and say I love you. More films need to made like this. It seems Hollywood is interested in special effects movies and they have forgotten the heart. On a separate note, Rick Schroder just made his own boxing film called "Black Cloud"it is also amazing and has tons of heart, The boxing scenes in Schroders film are the best I have ever seen. The same boxing coach from the champ worked on Schroders BLACK CLOUD. DVD comes out June 7th for Black Cloud.

9Winds_of_Destination

Very disappointed...

...with the rating of this masterpiece. A 5.8/10? -_- I am upset about this.

What you have here is an epic movie that deserves a 9/10. It's the story of the love between a boy and his father, and the boy trying to make it on his own when his mother and father can't.

The movie starts out very big on horse-racing, showing how Jon Voight, "The Champ", is and gives brief glimpses into his past life. After awhile though, his whole past comes back to him when his son unknowingly meets his mother and develops a bond with her. Conflict between him and his wife rises and we see even deeper into what was a merely a shell of his life in the beginning of the film; he is complicated and emotionally bruised man, snapping sometimes at his son that he loves with all his heart.

The film has the most believable performances I have ever seen on screen, and is a tearjerker. But it doesn't try to make you cry once; the entire second half of the film is full of these scenes. Some work while others don't. Either way, it shows the true power and delicacy of unconditional love, and the way it ends leaves you gasping for breath because of the emotional impact it leaves. Not perfect, but it deserves a solid 9.0/10.

Storyline

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Trivia
At just age nine, Ricky Schroder won the Golden Globe Award for "Best New Male Star of the Year in a Motion Picture" for his performance as T.J. Flynn in this film.

Goofs
At the gym in the beginning of the film, Tex Cobb is being battered in a sparring match and his seconds call him Tommy. At the end of the film, Cobb is featured as Roland Bowers, Heavyweight Contender.

Quotes
Ring Doctor: [SPOILER]
[Champ has just died]
Ring Doctor: I'm sorry.
T.J.: [Georgie and Jackie start to cry, TJ is shocked] No! Champ! No! Champ. Is he out? Is he out? What's the matter, Champ? Champ, wake up! Wake up! Wake - wake up!
[kisses his head]
T.J.: Champ, wake up, Champ! Hey, don't sleep now. We got to go home. Got to go home, Champ.
[Georgie collapses into sobs]
T.J.: Georgie. Don't cry. Georgie.
[TJ goes to the doctor]
T.J.: Mister, help me. Wake him up! Wake him!
Ring Doctor: We're all real sorry.
T.J.: Please, wake him up!
Ring Doctor: Let's go outside.
T.J.: No, no! I don't want to! I don't want to!
[runs to Jackie]
T.J.: Jackie! Wake him up! Wake him!
Jackie: TJ, please.
T.J.: I want Champ!
Jackie: TJ...
T.J.: I want Champ!
Jackie: TJ. Please, TJ, listen to me. He's gone. He's gone, son. He's gone.
T.J.: [shakes his head and backs away from Jackie] No. No! He's not gone! He's not! He's not!
Jackie: [Annie comes in, a smile on her face until she sees Champ and Jackie trying to calm TJ] Please.
T.J.: He is not dead! He is not dead! I want Champ!
Jackie: Please, listen to me, son.
T.J.: I want Champ!
Jackie: TJ, please, listen to me!
T.J.: I want Champ! Champ! He is not gone!
Jackie: [he and the doctor try to drag TJ away from Champ] Come on, son. Come on. TJ.
Annie: TJ.
[TJ walks towards her and hugs her, holding on tightly as he sobs]