German boxer Henry Maske stars in the title role of Max Schmeling the greatest
fighter Germany ever produced. He died a rich and successful man in 2005 just
short of his 100th birthday having been given the concession for Coca-Cola in
Germany post the World War. He also married film star Anna Ondry played here
by Suzanne Wuest and they had a happy if childless marriage.
Schmeling's unhappiness stemmed from two things as the film brought out. He was heavyweight champion from 1930-1932. He and Jack Sharkey were declared the top contenders in an elimination tournament . When they fought Sharkey nailed him below decks and Sharkey was disqualified on a foul This was the only time the heavyweight championship ever was won on a foul.
After one defense of the title against Young Stribling, Schmeling gave Sharkey a rematch and in a decision that the crowd thought wrong Sharkey beat him. No doubt he felt his title was tainted, but he wanted it back.
But while he campaigned for it and fought his way back into contention the Nazis came to power and Joe Goebbels saw the propaganda value of Schmeling's quest. He became quite the symbol of Aryan superiority, even more so when he knocked out leading contender Joe Louis.
But it was Louis who got the title shot anyway against champ James J. Braddock. And it was Louis who knocked Schmeling out in the first round in a title defense. It was quite the propaganda defeat for Herr Goebbels.
Schmeling was an athlete he had no real politics. He resented being touted as a symbol of Aryan supremacy. He also had a Jewish manager in Joe Jacobs played here by Vladimir Weigl who despite pressures Schmeling wouldn't get rid of him.
The war scenes are what we Yanks don't know about Schmeling. And the scenes of husband and wife with Maske and Wuest are special. In fact the story is narrated in flashback by Schmeling to a British soldier who recognized him.
This film is a nice tribute to Max Schmeling a champion in many ways.
Schmeling's unhappiness stemmed from two things as the film brought out. He was heavyweight champion from 1930-1932. He and Jack Sharkey were declared the top contenders in an elimination tournament . When they fought Sharkey nailed him below decks and Sharkey was disqualified on a foul This was the only time the heavyweight championship ever was won on a foul.
After one defense of the title against Young Stribling, Schmeling gave Sharkey a rematch and in a decision that the crowd thought wrong Sharkey beat him. No doubt he felt his title was tainted, but he wanted it back.
But while he campaigned for it and fought his way back into contention the Nazis came to power and Joe Goebbels saw the propaganda value of Schmeling's quest. He became quite the symbol of Aryan superiority, even more so when he knocked out leading contender Joe Louis.
But it was Louis who got the title shot anyway against champ James J. Braddock. And it was Louis who knocked Schmeling out in the first round in a title defense. It was quite the propaganda defeat for Herr Goebbels.
Schmeling was an athlete he had no real politics. He resented being touted as a symbol of Aryan supremacy. He also had a Jewish manager in Joe Jacobs played here by Vladimir Weigl who despite pressures Schmeling wouldn't get rid of him.
The war scenes are what we Yanks don't know about Schmeling. And the scenes of husband and wife with Maske and Wuest are special. In fact the story is narrated in flashback by Schmeling to a British soldier who recognized him.
This film is a nice tribute to Max Schmeling a champion in many ways.