Was gifted this over the holidays. I think there is a version with even more special features. But in my bare bones version Norman Mailer sits with Ron Howard and reviews the original Baer Braddock Fight, which I have to say compared to a modern day fight I"m not sure holds up all that well. Also Angelo Dundee gets a full segment and discusses his contribution to the flick. That guy is a walking institute on boxing.
This flick should hold up over the years. I'm thinking we are underestimating it's quality and value at this point. If anyone got the deluxe version I would appreciate hearing what additional info or features come with it. I think Craig Baerik does a great job as Max Baer, this thing was very well cast. It tells the story very well and is superbly acted by everyone.
Cinderella Man DVD
Cinderella Man
What I disliked most about the Cinderella Man movie WAS
the terrible, inaccurate depiction of Max Baer, who was
portrayed as an insensitive, loutish oaf. The real Baer
was a colorful, fun-loving man who was well-liked. I can
understand why Max Baer, Jr. was peeved after seeing
the movie.
Russell Crowe and Renee Zellwinger did a great job,
especially in the scenes showing Jim Braddock's
family down on their luck during the GREAT DEPRESSION,
the greatest domestic crisis in the United States since
the Civil War. I thank my lucky stars that we haven't
had such hard times in the country during the last
sixty or so years.
- Chuck Johnston
the terrible, inaccurate depiction of Max Baer, who was
portrayed as an insensitive, loutish oaf. The real Baer
was a colorful, fun-loving man who was well-liked. I can
understand why Max Baer, Jr. was peeved after seeing
the movie.
Russell Crowe and Renee Zellwinger did a great job,
especially in the scenes showing Jim Braddock's
family down on their luck during the GREAT DEPRESSION,
the greatest domestic crisis in the United States since
the Civil War. I thank my lucky stars that we haven't
had such hard times in the country during the last
sixty or so years.
- Chuck Johnston
Hey Chuck I'm in ALMOST complete agreement with you, but my spin goes like this. I beleive Max had this "tough" side to him and perhaps for this movie it was not all that inappropriate to show his "jerkish" side. He was a champion that was hell bent on intimidating his opponent. And remember it is Johnston that portrays Baer as a "killer" during a portion of the movie and Just like Don King and UnoWho on this forum that is their job.
So for a Braddock movie it was probably ok to be "incomplete" with Baer's personna.
Baer's life could make for an interesting story in and of itself. Your right he had many sides and charming and fun loving was part of who he was. I have seen a few interviews of the guy and he is very likeable. It would be nice for the american public to get a more complete picture of the former champion who had a lot about him to be liked.
But that was not the purpose of this particular movie.
Oh and ferocity it may have been Baer that was clowning, he did an amazing "fake" during the fight that is an all time classic. Whereas Jimmy seemed to be very boring, no nonsense and down to busineess. But he was an elusive target to be sure.
So for a Braddock movie it was probably ok to be "incomplete" with Baer's personna.
Baer's life could make for an interesting story in and of itself. Your right he had many sides and charming and fun loving was part of who he was. I have seen a few interviews of the guy and he is very likeable. It would be nice for the american public to get a more complete picture of the former champion who had a lot about him to be liked.
But that was not the purpose of this particular movie.
Oh and ferocity it may have been Baer that was clowning, he did an amazing "fake" during the fight that is an all time classic. Whereas Jimmy seemed to be very boring, no nonsense and down to busineess. But he was an elusive target to be sure.
I was one fourth of the historical consulting team on that movie.
Much to my surprise, Mike De Lisa -the main historical consultant- came up with clippings that verify that for a short time Baer let the title go to his head and did act rather like the Baer portrayed in the movie. Max changed and mellowed after but for a while he did act as portrayed in the movie.
Much to my surprise, Mike De Lisa -the main historical consultant- came up with clippings that verify that for a short time Baer let the title go to his head and did act rather like the Baer portrayed in the movie. Max changed and mellowed after but for a while he did act as portrayed in the movie.
-
Rory McCloskey
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 1042
- Joined: 29 Jun 2005, 13:11
i can see why people would be mad that max baer was portrayed that way, but i think you have to try and understand that its just for dramatic effects. baer looking like this fierce heartless bastard makes braddocks story look even better. and okay i would agree that its unfair to max and his family, but baer did have a drk side to him..he did clown around in th ring, and he did cheap sot from time to time. but i can understand both sides.
and boxbuzz..i have the collectors edition its got like 2 cd's of all special features i watchd the oriinal fight, the movie twice, and then my damn dvd player broke
when i get it fixed ill be sure to check everything out
and boxbuzz..i have the collectors edition its got like 2 cd's of all special features i watchd the oriinal fight, the movie twice, and then my damn dvd player broke
when i get it fixed ill be sure to check everything outSince I had planned to watch the Chico-Castillo fight, I had some time on my hands and watched this film again. It will hold up as time goes by, it is inspirational and truly a great feel good movie as well.
Braddock's "journeyman" career should not be overly discounted by us. Beating Max Baer and Knocking Down Joe Louis alone are enough to make you recalculate those bad performances he had. Those broken hands look like the "reason" for his weak moments rather than an excuse for them. And the number of fights he had is impressive as well.
These days one loss and you are suspect. Which would make fighters like Moore and Charles bums if your crazy enough to let that lead you to false assumptions. When the best go at it there will be losses even by the better fighters but the bulk of the fights will tell the story.
If an undefeated record was all that mattered then Valuev and Marciano are the great ones and everybody else needs to go to the back of the bus.
I admit there are a few sentimentalists amoung us who make Braddock out to perhaps be a bit more than what he was, but there are certainly more "bean counters" or "accountant" types, that make him out to be far less than what he was.
This guy had something, and I think it was more than just luck, timing and a story.
Braddock's "journeyman" career should not be overly discounted by us. Beating Max Baer and Knocking Down Joe Louis alone are enough to make you recalculate those bad performances he had. Those broken hands look like the "reason" for his weak moments rather than an excuse for them. And the number of fights he had is impressive as well.
These days one loss and you are suspect. Which would make fighters like Moore and Charles bums if your crazy enough to let that lead you to false assumptions. When the best go at it there will be losses even by the better fighters but the bulk of the fights will tell the story.
If an undefeated record was all that mattered then Valuev and Marciano are the great ones and everybody else needs to go to the back of the bus.
I admit there are a few sentimentalists amoung us who make Braddock out to perhaps be a bit more than what he was, but there are certainly more "bean counters" or "accountant" types, that make him out to be far less than what he was.
This guy had something, and I think it was more than just luck, timing and a story.
-
kick asner
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 692
- Joined: 02 Oct 2005, 00:01
Russell Crowe proved why he is the best actor in hollywood. Yes even better than Deniro. This movie totally won me over as I was a bit skeptical going in thinking they might try to politisize it Michael Moore style given the fact it took place during the depression, but fotunatly they did not slop over into that type of content.
I rate it by far and away the best movie of the twenty first century and a total breath of fresh air in light of all of typical hollywood dreck formula films that they manufacture. Hopefully other filmakers will follow suit and bring back the human intrest story as it has almost became a lost art.
It was such a good movie I can even overlook the two cliches they included. The one being that whenever a fighter gets tagged really hard in the movies especilly when he gets knocked down is that he must do a 360 degree spin before falling {just a minor critscism} the other cliche being that they have to have the villian smoking in all movies. Notice the smug reporter and the greedy promoter. I guess in the filmakers eyes smoking distinguishes the bad guy just to make sure the audience can identify him.
I rate it by far and away the best movie of the twenty first century and a total breath of fresh air in light of all of typical hollywood dreck formula films that they manufacture. Hopefully other filmakers will follow suit and bring back the human intrest story as it has almost became a lost art.
It was such a good movie I can even overlook the two cliches they included. The one being that whenever a fighter gets tagged really hard in the movies especilly when he gets knocked down is that he must do a 360 degree spin before falling {just a minor critscism} the other cliche being that they have to have the villian smoking in all movies. Notice the smug reporter and the greedy promoter. I guess in the filmakers eyes smoking distinguishes the bad guy just to make sure the audience can identify him.