Boxing at the Movies: Kings of the Ring
Sun Mar 3, 9-10pm, BBC4
By exploring classics of the genre (‘Rocky’, ‘Raging Bull’) and lesser-known efforts (‘Body and Soul’, ‘The Set-Up’), Leigh posits the idea that the boxing is the least important aspect. For Jake LaMotta, ‘the ring is everywhere’. And so it is, to a lesser degree, for all of us – by exploring race, corruption, mortality, courage and redemption, the best boxing films manage to universalise this most singular and intense of pursuits. Leigh’s clearly a fan and his passion shines through – by the end, he’s made a persuasive case.
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