On the Ropes

On The Ropes(1999) is a documentary of great power and great tragedy. I consider it about life and boxing the same way that Hoop Dreams was about life in basketball. It follows the lives of three people and the paths they walk in life. It is the best documentary of the final year of the 20th Century. On The Ropes is an excellent non fiction film about boxing and is one that should be viewed more than once.

A beautiful documentary about three young boxers training for the Golden Gloves and their trainer Harry Keitt. It is a story about life, loyalty, friendship etc... I have never seen anything so good. And the best is that it is the real and cruel world! A must see!

I thought the most compelling story was Tyrene's. I wish that more of the movie had focused on her.

Went to the movie in a totally down mood, really feeling sorry for myself. Man, you don't know how rough and unfair life can be until you've heard Tyrene's story. Lord, help me not to complain about my petty problems when there's so much real struggle and hardship in the world.

The award winning, Oscar nominated, and critically acclaimed documentary "On The Ropes" takes the audience into a New York ghetto gym where young boxers trapped in the slums and projects struggle and sweat tirelessly for a shred of hope that they may some day leave the hopelessness of their life behind. The film offers a limited look at the underbelly of boxing, something which few boxing fans ever see, as it examines the painful existence and enormous courage of three young boxing hopefuls. Unlike other sports where professionals scout college campuses cutting deals for big money, this little indie documentary shows the real and often raw deal and may help answer the one question so often asked about the sport of boxing: Why in the hell would anyone want to step into a ring and risk getting beat up? (B+)

Note - yes, I watched it again.

On the Ropes(1999) is one of the most powerful documentaries to come out of the USA in many years. It deals with the fortunes and injustices of the boxing world. The most tragic segment of this film is the story of the woman boxer who went to prison for a crime she didn't comment just because of the lousy justice system and the fact that she didn't have much money. What seen on the screen is probably the most realistic depictions of boxing life that has ever been shown at the cinema. Has to be one of the greatest documentaries of all time. Anyone who interested in boxing or wants to be a boxer should watch this film to learn of the realities of this brutal sport.