This is the true-life story of a famous boxing champion, Barney Ross (Cameron Mitchell). The film picks up in his later years as a fighter--when he's at the top of his game. Barney should be a happy man--and he is. But there also is trouble brewing, as Barney is an inveterate gambler. Even when it costs him his wife because of this, he's slow to admit he's got a problem. Fortunately, he eventually kicks the habit and joins the armed services. The film doesn't show it, but he was used early in his military career to sell bonds--just like Joe Lewis and various celebrities. He is eventually sent to Guadalcanal--a hellish place and probably the worst battle of the Pacific, as it drug on for many months. In the process, he shows his heroism and earns a silver star--but he's also wounded and suffering from the effects of PTSD (they don't really talk about this too much in the film). As a result of this and his very addictive personality, he soon begins hooked on morphine. Much of the rest of the film is his horrible struggle to kick his addiction.
The film is very well done. Despite a lower budget, Cameron Mitchell turns in a nice performance as the boxer. And, like "A Hatful of Rain" (which also came out in 1957), it does a great job of showing the horrors of this sort of addicted life. Well worth seeing.
By the way, Barney Ross was a boxer during the late 20s and through the 30s--yet it looks like 1950s in the movie. A very minor gripe, but I did think this was kind of funny.
The film is very well done. Despite a lower budget, Cameron Mitchell turns in a nice performance as the boxer. And, like "A Hatful of Rain" (which also came out in 1957), it does a great job of showing the horrors of this sort of addicted life. Well worth seeing.
By the way, Barney Ross was a boxer during the late 20s and through the 30s--yet it looks like 1950s in the movie. A very minor gripe, but I did think this was kind of funny.