The Harder They Fall poster
Director Mark Robson
Screenplay Philip Yordan

The Harder They Fall

Drama1956

Tagline: No Punches Pulled! If you thought "On The Waterfront" hit hard... wait till you see this one!

Release Date: 1956-05-09

Duration: 109 minutes

Synopsis

Jobless sportswriter Eddie Willis is hired by corrupt fight promoter Nick Benko to promote his current protégé, an unknown Argentinian boxer named Toro Moreno. Although Moreno is a hulking giant, his chances for success are hampered by a powder-puff punch and a glass jaw. Exploiting Willis' reputation for integrity and standing in the boxing community, Benko arranges a series of fixed fights that propel the unsophisticated Moreno to #1 contender for the championship. The reigning champ, the sadistic Buddy Brannen, harbors resentment at the publicity Toro has been receiving and vows to viciously punish him in the ring. Eddie must now decide whether or not to tell the naive Toro the truth.

Casting

  • Robert Fuller
    Minor Role (uncredited)
  • Rod Steiger
    Nick Benko
  • Jack Albertson
    Pop
  • Humphrey Bogart
    Eddie Willis
  • Nehemiah Persoff
    Leo
  • Mort Mills
    Reporter in Hospital (uncredited)
  • Arthur Tovey
    Fight Crowd Spectator (uncredited)
  • Edward Andrews
    Jim Weyerhause
  • Frank Hagney
    Referee (uncredited)
  • Roy Jenson
    Fighter (uncredited)