Rocky Marciano (film)

Rocky Marciano is a 1999 television film directed by Charles Winkler and presented by MGM.[1] It tells the story of the rise to fame of legendary boxer Rocky Marciano, played by Jon Favreau.

Rocky Marciano
DVD cover
GenreBiography
Drama
Sport
Written byWilliam Nack
Larry Golin
Charles Winkler
Dick Beebe
Directed byCharles Winkler
StarringJon Favreau
George C. Scott
Judd Hirsch
Penelope Ann Miller
Music byStanley Clarke
Country of originUnited States
Canada
Original languageEnglish
Production
ProducersRob Cowan
Nicholas J. Gray (supervising producer)
CinematographyPaul Sarossy
EditorClayton Halsey
Running time99 minutes
Production companyWinkler Films
Release
Original networkShowtime
Original release
  • May 15, 1999 (1999-05-15)

Plot

The film shows Rocco's childhood through his fight with his hero Joe Louis. After the Louis fight it flashes forward to his post career, leading up to his death in a 1969 plane crash. The film is noted for its "...blow-by-blow account of the Marciano-Louis fight,"[2] that is presented as a turning point in Marciano's career.[3]

Cast

Production

The story is based on a memoir by William Nack.[4]

In a interview given to Entertainment Weekly, Favreau explained that he had followed an intensive training to prepare himself for the role.[5] The director of the film, Charles Winkler, is the son of Irwin Winkler, producer of the Rocky franchise.[6][7]

Reception

The movie has received mostly mixed to bad reviews. Mick Martin and Marsha Porter, authors of A DVD & Video Guide - 2005, found the biopic "...perfectly portraying the spirit of the heavyweight. The events and characters are compelling and engaging..."[8]

A review in Variety, only praised some aspects of the film including the acting and cinematography:

"...the execution also works... Winkler utilizes the flashbacks sensibly, laying the groundwork for Marciano’s bizarre behavior after his career ended. And though he doesn’t always achieve the right emotional tone—a lot of potent scenes seem soft—his steady approach is commendable. Tech credits are topnotch, highlighted by Clayton Halsey’s precise editing and Paul Sarossy’s smooth lensing."[9]
—Michael Speier, Variety

A review in TV guide was less praiseworthy, stating, "Favreau lands this production’s sole knockout punch: He captures both the undefeated heavyweight champ's outward bravado and inner insecurity. Fight fans will cheer the restaging of famous bouts, but the unconvincing performances of much of the cast undermines the drama."[10] Richard Sandomir, writing for The New York Times, criticized extensively the film's lack of accuracy, judging it is a "docudrama that only occasionally lets truth stand in the way of the story.[11]

Awards and nominations
Canadian Society of Cinematographers Awards
  • 1999: Won, "Best Cinematography in TV Drama"[12]
Motion Picture Sound Editors
  • 2000: Nominated, "Best Sound Editing - Television Movies and Specials - Effects & Foley"

See also

References
  1. Mark Deming (2015). "Rocky Marciano [Subscription required]". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2015-01-23.
  2. Etling, Laurence (2014-01-10). Radio in the Movies: A History and Filmography, 1926-2010. McFarland. ISBN 978-0-7864-8616-8.
  3. Vogan, Travis (2020-10-16). The Boxing Film: A Cultural and Transmedia History. Rutgers University Press. ISBN 978-1-9788-0135-6.
  4. III, Harris M. Lentz (2019-05-30). Obituaries in the Performing Arts, 2018. McFarland. ISBN 978-1-4766-3655-9.
  5. May 14, Sandra P. Angulo Updated; EDT, 1999 at 04:00 AM. "Jon Favreau takes a swing at Rocky Marciano". EW.com. Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  6. Roberts, Jerry (2009-06-05). Encyclopedia of Television Film Directors. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 978-0-8108-6378-1.
  7. Rausch, Andrew J. (2015-03-21). Fifty Filmmakers: Conversations with Directors from Roger Avary to Steven Zaillian. McFarland. ISBN 978-0-7864-8409-6.
  8. Martin, Mick; Porter, Marsha (2004). DVD & Video Guide 2005. Ballantine. ISBN 978-0-345-44995-5.
  9. Speier, Michael (1999-05-11). "Rocky Marciano". Variety. Retrieved 2023-10-04.
  10. "Rocky Marciano". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 2023-10-04.
  11. Sandomir, Richard (1999-04-30). "TV SPORTS; A Marciano Docudrama Gets Much of It Wrong". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-10-04.
  12. Bedard, Mike (2020-06-15). "The Best Boxing Movies of the '90s". Looper. Retrieved 2023-10-04.
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