Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		5.0

The Harder They Fall Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov June 24, 2022

Mark Robson's "The Harder They Fall" (1956) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Indicator/Powerhouse Films. The supplemental features on the disc include an exclusive new audio commentary by critics Glenn Kenny and Farran Smith Nehme; new program with critic Christina Newland; archival program with Bertrand Tavernier; and more. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-B "locked".

It is a very simple plan, so if they agree to work together, they will make a ton of money. Guaranteed. Shady businessman Nick Benko (Rod Steiger) has just brought to America Toro Moreno (Mike Lane), a true Argentine giant that will be transformed into a heavyweight boxing champion. It is irrelevant that Moreno does not know how to fight -- he has the right physique, which means that he has the right look. This is a key element of the plan. If Moreno looks like a heavyweight champion, then he can become one. Eddie Willis (Humphrey Bogart), a respected sports journalist who knows the boxing industry like the palm of his hand, will initiate and then manage Moreno’s transformation. With his impeccable reputation and invaluable contacts, Willis will shape up Moreno’s public image and then gradually hype it to make him look like a legit heavyweight contender. What about the fighters Moreno will have to fight before thousands of people across America? Benko and his crew will take care of them. They will set up the fights with local promoters and then pay Moreno’s opponents to take a dive at the right time. Boxing is a game of numbers, that’s all it is. If you pay enough, you can get yourself a winner. Moreno is Benko’s winner -- and precious golden goose, too.

Willis nearly walks away when Benko introduces Moreno to him because he immediately realizes that even some of the worst fighters in the country will easily butcher him in the ring. He changes his mind only when Benko assures him that Moreno will keep winning all the way to the title game -- and because he desperately needs a lot of money to retire in style with his wife (Jan Sterling). Actually, this is the real reason Willis agrees to work with Benco and risk his reputation. The money. Willis is approaching fifty and does not have any savings, which of course is why he was a perfect target for Benco. Willis knows it. Benco knows it, too.

Moreno, who does not know how to speak English, and his manager (Luis Agrandi), who is fluent in English, are all in. They like what they have been promised by Benko and just like Willis are ready to do what is necessary to get paid. The money they will make in America will be worth four, maybe even five times more back home. Life is cheaper down there, so it is a blessing that they met Benko and his people.

They start working together in California where Moreno defeats a couple of lousy boxers and quickly becomes The Wild Man of the Andes. It isn’t easy work, but it is exactly as Benko had it described to them. Then they move to Nevada, rack up more wins, and slowly begin making their way to the Mid-West, where the legit boxers are. As Moreno stays undefeated, Willis puts him on the radar of some of the biggest boxing promoters in the country, and eventually, the current heavy-weight champion, Buddy Brannen (Max Baer), learns that an undefeated challenger is coming from the West. But when Brannen destroys another challenger, Gus Dundee (Pat Comiskey), and a week later the man dies while ‘fighting’ Moreno, Willis begins to have second thoughts about working with Benko to get rich quick.

Nearly seventy years after its theatrical premiere, Mark Robson’s The Harder They Fall remains a striking film for a couple of very simple reasons. First, the cynicism with which it argues that the world of professional boxing is extremely unprofessional is mighty impressive. For example, the clarity and logic of Steiger’s statements are such that it becomes virtually impossible not to agree with them. What they describe is essentially a dirty meat grinder where fighters were routinely bought and sold, and for the right amount of money, some even destroyed. (Another outstanding film from the same era that reaches the same conclusion is Robert Wise’s The Set-Up, though in it the focus of attention is on the mechanics of the destruction process). Also, Bogart represents the corrupt media whose role is crucial for the efficacy of the grinder. If Bogart and people like him do not pull the right strings to manipulate the masses, the grinder instantly loses its ability to be profitable, which means that Steiger and the many other members of his tribe become irrelevant as well. Second, The Harder They Fall is shot in a manner that makes it immune to soapy melodrama. To be clear, there are a few softer sequences in it -- such as the one where Bogart must convince Lane to stay a little longer in America while Steiger’s goons are watching from afar -- but even they exude cynicism that makes everything that is being said and done look very authentic.

The popular consensus is that Bogart gives one of his best performances in The Harder They Fall. This writer agrees that Bogart is very good as the conflicted sports journalist, but Steiger is even better and when the two are before the camera routinely overshadows him.

The great cinematographer Burnet Guffey earned an Oscar nomination for his contribution to The Harder They Fall, but he probably should have won the precious statuette.

The Harder They Fall Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, The Harder They Fall arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Indicator/Powerhouse Films.

Recently restored in 4K by Sony Pictures, The Harder They Fall looked absolutely incredible on my system. Some of the visuals were so striking that I think they match the quality of native 4K content. Of course, in native 4K there will likely be areas of the film with superior dynamic range, but I honestly do not think that the difference will be dramatic. Grain exposure is excellent and very stable, which means that density levels are very, very good even in areas where delineation fluctuates (you can see an example in screencapture #27). The party that graded the 4K master did a terrific job as well. As you can see from the screencaptures that are provided with our review, there are excellent ranges of lush but not boosted blacks and wonderful ranges of grays and whites, so all darker areas are crush-free. Image stability is outstanding. Finally, the entire film looks very healthy. (Note: This is a Region-B "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-B or Region-Free player in order to access its content).

The Harder They Fall Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English LPCM 1.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.

I did not detect any traces of age-related imperfections, and I had my volume turned up quite a bit. The audio was very clear, sharp, and stable. Dynamic intensity is very nice too, especially in areas where Hugo Friedhofer's score enhances the drama. The fights with the crowd noise sounded great on my system as well.

The Harder They Fall Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• The Final Bout - in this new program, critic Christina Newland discusses the history and style of The Harder They Fall. In English, not subtitled. (11 min).

• Bertrand Tavernier on The Harder They Fall - in this archival program, Bertrand Tavernier (Death Watch) discusses The Harder They Fall and explains why it should be considered one of Mark Robson's best films. In French, with English subtitles. (30 min).

• Commentary - this exclusive new audio commentary was recorded by critics Glenn Kenny and Farran Smith Nehme.

• Max Bauer Super 8 Films -
  
  1. Max Bauer vs. Max Schmeling (1933). Silent. (3 min).
  2. Primo Carnera vs Max Bauer (1934). Silent (3 min).

• Image Gallery - a gallery of original promotional materials for The Harder They Come.

• That Justice Be Done - this short film was directed by George Stevens in 1945. It highlights the horrors of WW2. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles. (11 min).

• Book - limited edition exclusive 120-page book with a new essay by Imogen Sara Smith, extensive archival articles and interviews, new writing on the various short films, and film credits.

The Harder They Fall Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The Harder They Fall is a very close relative of The Set-Up. However, even though they are equally disturbing, these films deliver their message in different ways. I prefer the latter, but only because it has one of my all-time favorite American actors, Robert Ryan. The popular consensus is that Humphrey Bogart gives one of his best performances in the former. I agree that he is very good as the conflicted sports journalist, but Rod Steiger overshadows him and moves the film among film noir's greatest masterpieces. The Harder They Fall has been fully restored in 4K by Sony Pictures and looks sensational on Blu-ray. I really could not have been any more pleased with the 4K restoration and its technical presentation on Blu-ray. This release is included in Indicator/Powerhouse Films' upcoming Columbia Noir #5: Humphrey Bogart six-disc box set. If you decide to pick it up for your collection, please keep in mind that it is Region-B "locked". VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.