An incredible story in so many ways, I didn't know of Christy Martin before this documentary and I have a lot of respect for her after watching. The doc was well made, the storyline flowed easily and the relevant parties were interviewed without bias.
19 Reviews
Gripping
glenhammond18 August 2021
I personally found the documentary gripping as I knew little about the story
To have both the victim and abuser interviewed in this way feels unusual but it never crossed the line into something unseemly. The documentary crew did an excellent job
What an amazing woman Christy is.
First rate sports doc in my opinion.
To have both the victim and abuser interviewed in this way feels unusual but it never crossed the line into something unseemly. The documentary crew did an excellent job
What an amazing woman Christy is.
First rate sports doc in my opinion.
A thrilling addition to the Untold series! [+69%]
arungeorge1321 August 2021
The second entry in the Untold series - about boxing sensation Christy Martin and the lesser known happenings in her life - had me hooked all the way. All the right folks were interviewed and their responses surprisingly more candid than you'd expect them to be. I liked how Christy remained the center-piece of the story even when it could have faltered in many instances. Also, her life calls for a full-blown biopic in the future. There's everything from fame, wealth, and the adrenaline rush from the sport of boxing to gaslighting, coming out (as gay), twisted revelations, and even an extremely gruesome crime that'd make for an enthralling film experience. The background score in this one is slightly distracting, however, it doesn't take away what is undoubtedly an inspiring, engaging, and shocking story.
Packs a punch and will keep you engrossed for the full twelve rounds....
joebloggscity22 September 2021
I can remember the first time I ever saw one of Christy Martin's fights, she was on the bill for one of Mike Tyson's matches v Evander Holyfield, and her fight stole the show. Admittedly it was very one sided but you were in awe, and all us blokes had to bite our tongue, she could really punch and fight. Her opponent turned to jelly! I only ever remembered her by her stage name: 'The Coalminer's daughter'.
Despite that, I didn't know her fuller story, and when I saw this pop up on Netflix, I had to watch it, and it blew me away but didn't knock me out. Let's be honest, you would expect her life story to be unconventional, and that's what shows.
Kudos to the director et al for showing respect, and giving a warts and all documentary. All sides to the stories are given, even allowing her estranged ex-husband a talking head slot too. The respect she is given across the board is quite humbling, e.g. By Mike Tyson and others.
This isn't a movie, and thankfully doesn't overdramatise things, as her story is dramatic enough. I think it's worth a watch if you ever remembered her from her fights like I do. Sports figures are human too, and their stories can be just as intriguing as what happens in the ring. I'll respect their privacy but also listen if they wish to talk (within limits).
This is a documentary worth watching. It's fascinating and one that reflects our evolving cultures and norms. Enjoyable, informative and engrossing. Packs enough of a punch even though it won't knock you out but maybe that's what she wanted, to keep you going for the full 12 rounds!
Despite that, I didn't know her fuller story, and when I saw this pop up on Netflix, I had to watch it, and it blew me away but didn't knock me out. Let's be honest, you would expect her life story to be unconventional, and that's what shows.
Kudos to the director et al for showing respect, and giving a warts and all documentary. All sides to the stories are given, even allowing her estranged ex-husband a talking head slot too. The respect she is given across the board is quite humbling, e.g. By Mike Tyson and others.
This isn't a movie, and thankfully doesn't overdramatise things, as her story is dramatic enough. I think it's worth a watch if you ever remembered her from her fights like I do. Sports figures are human too, and their stories can be just as intriguing as what happens in the ring. I'll respect their privacy but also listen if they wish to talk (within limits).
This is a documentary worth watching. It's fascinating and one that reflects our evolving cultures and norms. Enjoyable, informative and engrossing. Packs enough of a punch even though it won't knock you out but maybe that's what she wanted, to keep you going for the full 12 rounds!
Excellent Boxing Doc
bellman-7741019 August 2021
Good
DVK123429 August 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Never heard of Christy Martin before; she married a misogynist. That she survived his attempt to kill her truly was absolutely her most important win. Interesting story.
Knowing what we now know about long-term effects of concussions, it amazes me that people are still aloud to have their heads pummelled in a boxing ring and that other people like to watch.
Knowing what we now know about long-term effects of concussions, it amazes me that people are still aloud to have their heads pummelled in a boxing ring and that other people like to watch.
A Knockout
JoshuaMercott21 August 2021
Warning: Spoilers
An eye-opening documentary that did not shy from any of the details pertaining to the life and times of (American) women's boxing champion (nay, superstar) Christy Martin. This is what documentaries are all about, the depth, the revelations, the truth...
"Untold Vol 1: Deal with the Devil" on Netflix was a match in its own right. Christy's story is many a woman's story - be it inside or outside a ring. It was physical and verbal abuse, plain and simple, yet complex in its own ways.
Women, despite their dreams and achievements, are (sometimes) unjustly threatened by the people closest to them. And this story features not just any woman, but a famous one who could throw a serious punch and take more than a few. Christy was also well within the proverbial closet about her partner preferences. Then there was her drug (cocaine) addiction to consider.
This documentary special on Netflix brought so much to light regarding Christy Martin's case, and the years of silence she had to endure knowing that she would find no justice or understanding if she spoke up. It wasn't lack of courage on her part but lack of opportunities that could have helped her resolve her professional/marital issues with trainer/husband Jim Martin.
The man was selfish, controlling, and looking out for Christy Martin's best interests only so long as they aligned with his own. He took advantage of her in strange, revengeful, and manipulative ways, using her like a cash cow, and oftentimes misusing her same-sex preferences to caress his own kinks.
It was all spread out in neat and clear fashion in this docu for anyone to see and make up their minds about Jim's actions and decisions. He was an insufferable egoist and abusive blackmailer with vengeful murderous tendencies. He took her unawares, stabbed her multiple times with a kitchen knife, and shot her with a gun a while after she was down (!). And those are just the highlights (for lack of a better word) of how that tussle went down.
All this, if the documentary (which has no contradictory evidence so far) is anything to judge by. Jim Martin had little to no redeeming points, to be honest. It all sounded too fantastic to be true, but you know what they say about fact being stranger than fiction.
The female world boxing lightweight champion survived into a day and age - as opposed to the relatively exploitative, secretive, and silencing 80s - where she felt she could voice her truth and the world would listen. To be fair to Christy, she actually came out of the proverbial closet at a time when it was 'frowned upon'.
This docu has the potential to make lasting and legal change for women in similar situations. It may well warrant the need for new policies in countries around the world. This is an 'untold' story that most definitely needed to be told. Laura Brownson (director) and the rest of the team did admirable work on this. Brave effort on the part of Netflix to have seen this documentary through to the last bell. I am eagerly waiting what they come up with next under their "Untold" collection banner.
Women, despite their dreams and achievements, are (sometimes) unjustly threatened by the people closest to them. And this story features not just any woman, but a famous one who could throw a serious punch and take more than a few. Christy was also well within the proverbial closet about her partner preferences. Then there was her drug (cocaine) addiction to consider.
This documentary special on Netflix brought so much to light regarding Christy Martin's case, and the years of silence she had to endure knowing that she would find no justice or understanding if she spoke up. It wasn't lack of courage on her part but lack of opportunities that could have helped her resolve her professional/marital issues with trainer/husband Jim Martin.
The man was selfish, controlling, and looking out for Christy Martin's best interests only so long as they aligned with his own. He took advantage of her in strange, revengeful, and manipulative ways, using her like a cash cow, and oftentimes misusing her same-sex preferences to caress his own kinks.
It was all spread out in neat and clear fashion in this docu for anyone to see and make up their minds about Jim's actions and decisions. He was an insufferable egoist and abusive blackmailer with vengeful murderous tendencies. He took her unawares, stabbed her multiple times with a kitchen knife, and shot her with a gun a while after she was down (!). And those are just the highlights (for lack of a better word) of how that tussle went down.
All this, if the documentary (which has no contradictory evidence so far) is anything to judge by. Jim Martin had little to no redeeming points, to be honest. It all sounded too fantastic to be true, but you know what they say about fact being stranger than fiction.
The female world boxing lightweight champion survived into a day and age - as opposed to the relatively exploitative, secretive, and silencing 80s - where she felt she could voice her truth and the world would listen. To be fair to Christy, she actually came out of the proverbial closet at a time when it was 'frowned upon'.
This docu has the potential to make lasting and legal change for women in similar situations. It may well warrant the need for new policies in countries around the world. This is an 'untold' story that most definitely needed to be told. Laura Brownson (director) and the rest of the team did admirable work on this. Brave effort on the part of Netflix to have seen this documentary through to the last bell. I am eagerly waiting what they come up with next under their "Untold" collection banner.
Well Done
Gswillis3 September 2021
Great story about a great athlete but do yourself a favor Christy and stop with the "everything bad i did he made me do it" or it was a result of suppressing your "true self". Accept responsibility for being an $&hole sometimes like the rest of us. Anyone else bothered by her accent changing from southern to NYC to hoodrat as she was talking? Weird and a little disingenuous.
Speechless!!!!
sanalyzedllc20 August 2021
Annoying music...
akyle-0101217 August 2021
Gripping and unreal to watch
Agent109 September 2021
When talking about cinema, the "male gaze" is a typical topic which is discussed with reviled hot takes and tons of YouTube worthy eye roles. While it is a legitimate topic, those that interject themselves into the topic are usually too juvenile or ignorant or suckling on their own self importance to have a nuanced discussion. Stories about abuse toward women usually are taken with a bit of suspicion, as society has created various narratives which ultimately defend the men in the situation, like the ultimate summation was "it's a two way street."
Christy Martin was a rare athlete, a pioneer in a sport that sexist or ignorant men often despised because they didn't want to see "girls" fight. So it was really interesting to see Mike Tyson getting hyped about her performance, and even hearing Laila Ali claim she was the inspiration for her own career. Martin basically helped bring women's fighting as a viable entertainment medium, but little did anyone know the real truth behind the scenes.
Martin was being emotionally and mentally abused by her husband. It's pretty wild to see the perspectives of abuser and the abused, which is the most disturbing part of the documentary. I think the most incredible part of the documentary proves that this type of abuse not just happens to everyday people, but can happen even to people who were under the watchful eye of the public.
Martin pretty much summed up the survival of her harrowing near death in 2010 as her most important win. Martin might never have been able to hang with some of the talented contemporaries of today, but without her the current level of female fighters might not be as deep and talented. Either way, interesting story that has been long forgotten. One thing is for certain, this series is picking up the ball on different types of stories as ESPN's 30 for 30 has somewhat grown stale and too focused on typical and well known stories.
Christy Martin was a rare athlete, a pioneer in a sport that sexist or ignorant men often despised because they didn't want to see "girls" fight. So it was really interesting to see Mike Tyson getting hyped about her performance, and even hearing Laila Ali claim she was the inspiration for her own career. Martin basically helped bring women's fighting as a viable entertainment medium, but little did anyone know the real truth behind the scenes.
Martin was being emotionally and mentally abused by her husband. It's pretty wild to see the perspectives of abuser and the abused, which is the most disturbing part of the documentary. I think the most incredible part of the documentary proves that this type of abuse not just happens to everyday people, but can happen even to people who were under the watchful eye of the public.
Martin pretty much summed up the survival of her harrowing near death in 2010 as her most important win. Martin might never have been able to hang with some of the talented contemporaries of today, but without her the current level of female fighters might not be as deep and talented. Either way, interesting story that has been long forgotten. One thing is for certain, this series is picking up the ball on different types of stories as ESPN's 30 for 30 has somewhat grown stale and too focused on typical and well known stories.
Great documentary
mikeiskorn23 September 2021
This again was a wonderful documentary from the untold series. I didn't know much about Christy before this but had always dabbled into boxing, especially with Joe Calzaghe as I am from Wales. What does women went through at the hands of her husband who was conniving, deceiving and just out for himself What is wonderfully put together in this documentary. Even if you're not a fan I would definitely recommend this entire series of documentaries.
Amazing
jarelkamar23 August 2021
Enjoyed every bit of this film. Storylines of wrestling & private lives are beautifully woven into a great documentary structure. Thanks for all the film makers and a special shoutout to the editor(s) & the video researchers.
A great life story.
campbellmark-3942616 January 2022
This documentary is a great. Fantastic real life story of a remarkable person and boxer. Well worth watching.
Great archive footage and an inspiring tale of achievement against all kinds of adversity. Don't be put of by the fact it's about a boxer, it's much more than that.
Great archive footage and an inspiring tale of achievement against all kinds of adversity. Don't be put of by the fact it's about a boxer, it's much more than that.
Couldn't hear a word
bourke-simon27 August 2021
There might be a good documentary here, an interesting story, but it's near impossible to tell. The reason being that the 'background' music drowns out the interviews throughout the film. You have to strain to hear what the interviewees are saying over the incredibly annoying music at all times. So frustrating. Did the film makers not listen back to it before release?
Unbelievable and inspiring! A must watch!
chrismasonisready29 August 2021
As a 90's child, I didn't hear much about Christy growing up. But after watching this, I guarantee you I'll never forget her name nor her story!! This woman is so amazing and very inspiring!! You get all angles of the story from the start to the finish with unexpected twists!! Thank you for your story Christy!! You're my hero!!
Omg brilliant
ilvuprincess28 September 2021
Excellent movie regardless if you're a boxing fan or not
cheeseheadnate28 August 2021
This documentary was excellent, the pace of the story was very well done. It covered Christy Martin's career nicely. And covered all the dramatic stuff that occurred very clearly and thorough.
It is definitely a good watch. WOW.
It is definitely a good watch. WOW.
Love the first episode. This one was nearly unwatchable.
willeylandscaping21 August 2021
Malice in the palace was beautifully done. This however is a great story with poor production quality.
It appears they had the intern mix the audio. Background music is a most times louder than the commentary and incredibly distracting. Hopefully the other episodes in this series can help pull the nose back up.
It appears they had the intern mix the audio. Background music is a most times louder than the commentary and incredibly distracting. Hopefully the other episodes in this series can help pull the nose back up.
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