| Original language: |
English (ENG) |
 | | Extra-Infos: |
Strother Martin, Jr., Jack Warden, Joan Blondell, Elisha Cook, Mary Jo Catlett, Arthur Hill, Rick Schroder, Faye Dunaway, Jon Voight
Franco Zeffirelli |
| | Description: | The world looks at Billy Flynn and sees a has-been who seemingly never was, an ex-boxing champion slammed to the mat years ago by booze and gambling. But Billy's son, TJ, sees what the world doesn't. He knows his flawed-but-loving father is, was and always will be The Champ. The Frances Marion screen story that became 1931's double Academy Award® winner* The Champ and 1953's The Clown is winningly updated in this heart-tugger directed by Franco Zeffirelli and starring Jon Voight, Faye Dunaway and Ricky Schroder. Voight plays Billy, the big-hearted brawler who returns to the ring to provide for his son after the boy's wealthy, estranged mother (Dunaway) begins to vie for the child's affection. And Schroder makes his feature-film debut a memorable one, winning a Golden Globe Award (New Star of the Year - Actor) for his honest and moving portrayal of the steadfast and loving son."Champ (1979)" is an emotional sports drama on DVD, released by Wara, that tells the moving story of a washed-up boxer who fights for one last chance - both in the ring and in his relationship with his son. At the heart of the film is the intense interplay between ambition, sacrifice, and unconditional love, making it a powerful viewing experience for fans of character-driven dramas and classic boxing stories. The 1979 production is shaped by the atmosphere of late-70s cinema: raw, direct, and focused on human vulnerability rather than spectacle. With its carefully paced storytelling, authentic dialogue, and emotional pay-off, "Champ (1979)" is designed to stay with the viewer long after the final bell rings.
This DVD edition offers the film in a convenient home-video format, allowing collectors and cinephiles to add a piece of late-70s film history to their shelves. Depending on the specific pressing, the disc may focus on the feature film itself without extensive bonus material, emphasizing a straightforward, no-nonsense movie experience that keeps the spotlight on the central story. The format is well-suited for repeated viewing, whether as part of a sports-movie marathon or as a standalone emotional drama.
The release comes from Wara, a manufacturer known for issuing niche and catalog titles that are often overlooked by mainstream distributors. Wara specializes in bringing genre films, older productions, and special interest titles back into circulation, with particular attention to preserving the original viewing experience as closely as possible. Collectors appreciate Wara for keeping less commercial films available on physical media and for supporting a diverse cinematic landscape beyond current blockbusters. With "Champ (1979)", Wara once again underscores its role as a curator of distinctive, character-driven stories.
The film brings together a cast and creative team whose careers are shaped by strong performances in drama and genre cinema. The lead actor is known for embodying complex, emotionally charged characters, especially in roles where physical struggle mirrors inner turmoil. Over the years, he has appeared in a number of acclaimed productions in which he convincingly portrays flawed heroes and men at a crossroads in life. The director has built a reputation for intimate storytelling and precise work with actors, often choosing projects that focus on personal transformation, moral conflict, and the fragile bonds within families. Supporting actors and key contributors to the film have been involved in various notable film and television productions, helping to shape the landscape of late-70s and early-80s cinema with their distinct presence and craftsmanship, particularly in the fields of drama and character-driven storytelling. | | | Actors: |
Jon Voight, Faye Dunaway, Rick Schroder, Jack Warden, Arthur Hill, Joan Blondell, Strother Martin, Elisha Cook Jr., Stefan Gierasch, Mary Jo Catlett |
| | Director: |
Franco Zeffirelli |
| | Manufacturer No.: |
WARA1000570303DVD |
| Product Safety
Responsible Person for the EU:
Ten Dance Media GmbH
Wolfener Straße 32-34, 12681 Berlin, DE
gpsr@tendance.de | |
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