Search - The Prize Fighter on DVD

"Rocky" it ain't...

Alejandra Vernon | Long Beach, California | 06/08/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This film with a boxing theme is about a down and out man, Ed Jones, getting a second chance in life. It's also about the seamy side of the boxing world, with one promoter, Arliss King (Pat Richardson), putting on "Bad News Slugout" shows, which are ultra violent matches, and another corrupt promoter, Whitey (Gary Busey, who sells himself short in this part), out for the fast buck. Ed Jones has a lot of tragedy in his life, with a past of alcohol and fast women, a pregnant wife, and the desire to be a boxer. He agrees to do the "Slugout" shows, aiming for higher things in his career.

The production values, outside of the footage that takes place in the boxing ring, which is well done, are nil. The cinematography is truly atrocious (home movie quality), the editing equally awful, and the audio sometimes fades in and out, with the occasional strange dubbing, but despite the "zero budget" look, I'm sure the film will be of interest to fight fans. In a fine performance as Ed Jones, Rob Boyd has a good screen presence, and is believable as the central character of the boxer.
Leon Spinks, a great fighter who in real life has seen the ups and downs of a career in the boxing ring, has a small part, as does infamous skater Tonya Harding.
I'm giving this film an extra star, because even though the babes prance around topless in several scenes, we are spared the constant barrage of foul language that often permeates this type of film, and for this I thank writer/director Mark Mason.
Total running time is 90 minutes.
"