Despite his talent as a musician, a city boy decides to become a boxer. He's successful as a fighter — much to the dismay of his father. When gangsters try to buy a piece of him, he begins to have second thoughts.
Acting
William Holden's breakout—raw, hungry, destined for stardom.
Direction
Mamoulian's kinetic boxing scenes still feel modern.
Writing
Odets' stage dialogue crackles with working-class poetry.
Director
Rouben Mamoulian
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
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