Requiem for a Heavyweight
There are two versions of Requiem for a Heavyweight. The original was a 1956 TV movie starring Jack Palance as the ageing, punch-drunk boxer finally hitting the existential canvas. This movie version from six years later swaps out Palance for Anthony Quinn. Ralph Nelson directed both and preferred Palance – “truer to the role” was his verdict in a letter he wrote to the press. That’s remarkable in itself, writing to the press to diss an actor. I have not seen Palance’s version but it must be pretty good to come in ahead of Quinn, who overdoes it a bit, for sure – Marlon Brando in “contender” mode crossed with Quasimodo – but … Read more