The world of boxing attracted a kind of individual of a special breed. The sport, as it is considered, flourished around the times where it was the way for poor urban individuals to get out of their surroundings, for it offered the promise of fame and money using one's fists, not one's intellectual powers.
This story takes us to one of those cities during the period after WWII where the chief means of entertainment was boxing on Wednesdays, and wrestling on Fridays. The criminal element behind the fights saw big business in the way money could be made by fixing the matches. Tiny, the manager of Stoker, an aging boxer, figures he stand to make some easy money because his pugilist's career is over. The only problem, he never tells Stoker about his plan. Danny, who is Little Boy's henchman, is told by Tiny that Stoker Thompson is through and will be defeated, a sure bet for the criminal to make money by betting on a sure thing.
Stoker Thompson lives in a seedy hotel with Julie. He has seen better days, but unfortunately, this is the only thing he knows how to make a living. He goes on fighting because he figures it is the only ticket to get out of a bad streak he is having. Julie is apprehensive about tonight's fight because Stoker is facing a younger boxer, who no doubt will beat him.
The atmosphere shows us the crowd that have come to the arena. Stoker will be the last to fight. We watch the reaction of the people in the audience as Stoker sits in the dressing room waiting his turn to go. Julie, who was given a ticket for the event, spends a restless night refusing to go to see Stoker taking a punishment.
When the moment arrive, Stoker gets to the ring. He looks toward where Julie is supposed to be sitting, but she is nowhere to be seen. The bout will be four rounds. Tiny, the manager, and Red, the assistant, are sure Stoker will go down at any moment because his opponent is having a great night. To their horror, Stoker pulls a victory that is not expected. Stoker back in the dressing room gets an unexpected visit of Little Boy, the man who lost money and will not let Stoker Thompson go without punishment.
"The Set-Up" is one of the best films about boxing, bar none. This tense noirish drama, directed by Robert Wise, working with the screenplay by Art Cohn, gives a tense account of that world in a 72 minute feature that keeps us riveted to the action we are watching. It is quite a contrast for this director, whose minimalistic account creates an action packed picture that has kept its punch even after more than sixty years after it was made.
One of the best things in the film is the way the fighting scenes were 'choreographed'. Mr. Wise, who started as a film editor, was influenced greatly by his association with Orson Welles. Let's not forget this man was the editor for "Citizen Kane". The camera work in this film by Milton Krasner puts the viewer inside the sports arena while the fight is going on. We watch the reactions of the crowd in vivid detail, an achievement of Mr. Wise as he involves us in the drama.
Stoker Thompson was one of Robert Ryan's best roles in his film career. The actor gave an amazing performance. Audrey Totter's Julie was also one of her best appearances in movies. The minor characters are quite well drawn. Alan Baxter, George Tobias, Wallace Ford, James Edwards, Darryl Hickman, David Clarke, and the rest made valuable contributions in getting us care for these people.
One of Robert Wise's best films of all times.
This story takes us to one of those cities during the period after WWII where the chief means of entertainment was boxing on Wednesdays, and wrestling on Fridays. The criminal element behind the fights saw big business in the way money could be made by fixing the matches. Tiny, the manager of Stoker, an aging boxer, figures he stand to make some easy money because his pugilist's career is over. The only problem, he never tells Stoker about his plan. Danny, who is Little Boy's henchman, is told by Tiny that Stoker Thompson is through and will be defeated, a sure bet for the criminal to make money by betting on a sure thing.
Stoker Thompson lives in a seedy hotel with Julie. He has seen better days, but unfortunately, this is the only thing he knows how to make a living. He goes on fighting because he figures it is the only ticket to get out of a bad streak he is having. Julie is apprehensive about tonight's fight because Stoker is facing a younger boxer, who no doubt will beat him.
The atmosphere shows us the crowd that have come to the arena. Stoker will be the last to fight. We watch the reaction of the people in the audience as Stoker sits in the dressing room waiting his turn to go. Julie, who was given a ticket for the event, spends a restless night refusing to go to see Stoker taking a punishment.
When the moment arrive, Stoker gets to the ring. He looks toward where Julie is supposed to be sitting, but she is nowhere to be seen. The bout will be four rounds. Tiny, the manager, and Red, the assistant, are sure Stoker will go down at any moment because his opponent is having a great night. To their horror, Stoker pulls a victory that is not expected. Stoker back in the dressing room gets an unexpected visit of Little Boy, the man who lost money and will not let Stoker Thompson go without punishment.
"The Set-Up" is one of the best films about boxing, bar none. This tense noirish drama, directed by Robert Wise, working with the screenplay by Art Cohn, gives a tense account of that world in a 72 minute feature that keeps us riveted to the action we are watching. It is quite a contrast for this director, whose minimalistic account creates an action packed picture that has kept its punch even after more than sixty years after it was made.
One of the best things in the film is the way the fighting scenes were 'choreographed'. Mr. Wise, who started as a film editor, was influenced greatly by his association with Orson Welles. Let's not forget this man was the editor for "Citizen Kane". The camera work in this film by Milton Krasner puts the viewer inside the sports arena while the fight is going on. We watch the reactions of the crowd in vivid detail, an achievement of Mr. Wise as he involves us in the drama.
Stoker Thompson was one of Robert Ryan's best roles in his film career. The actor gave an amazing performance. Audrey Totter's Julie was also one of her best appearances in movies. The minor characters are quite well drawn. Alan Baxter, George Tobias, Wallace Ford, James Edwards, Darryl Hickman, David Clarke, and the rest made valuable contributions in getting us care for these people.
One of Robert Wise's best films of all times.