On the Ropes

Starring:Noel Santiago, Martin Goldman (II), Tyrene Manson, Harry Keitt, Eddie Mustafa Muhammad, Mickey Marcello, Sam Doumit, Randy Little, George Walton (II), Aida Santiago
Director: Brett Morgen, Nanette Burstein
Studio: Fox Lorber
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
That every cliché and stereotype has some basis in fact is axiomatic. Boxing movies have long relied on archetypes such as the tough-but-big-hearted trainer who acts as a mentor, the crooked promoter, the hard-nosed kid who fights his way from the streets to the top. On the Ropes has all of these, but the kicker is this film isn't fiction; this is a remarkable documentary that follows three young boxers, George, Noel, and Tyrene, in and out of the ring as they struggle with tough circumstances in their Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood while they train relentlessly for the Golden Gloves. Trainer Harry Keitt has his share of problems as well, going from a pro career and a stint as sparring partner for Muhammad Ali to crack addiction, homelessness, and jail, then taking up coaching as a road to redemption. A peek inside the personal lives of the three young athletes shows them to be tough but vulnerable kids, likable, courageous, and incredibly determined to see their way out of Brooklyn via a boxing career (there's another of those clichés come to life). As the three progress and move beyond the Bed-Stuy Boxing Center, Keitt must cope with seeing them leave his sphere of influence and move on. Filled with warm and very human characters, On the Ropes is a first-rate documentary and a behind-the-scenes look at a sports world that few of us ever see. --Jerry Renshaw

Average customer rating:

Outstanding!!!

Entertaining but negative stereotyping

This movie is about a lot more than boxing...

Champion documentary

a film about boxing and life

On the Ropes
Starring: Tyrene Manson , Harry Keitt , Randy Little , Noel Santiago , and George Walton (II)
Director: Brett Morgen , and Nanette Burstein
Manufacturer: Fox Lorber
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00004R612
Release Date: 2000-04-25

Amazon.com

That every cliché and stereotype has some basis in fact is axiomatic. Boxing movies have long relied on archetypes such as the tough-but-big-hearted trainer who acts as a mentor, the crooked promoter, the hard-nosed kid who fights his way from the streets to the top. On the Ropes has all of these, but the kicker is this film isn't fiction; this is a remarkable documentary that follows three young boxers, George, Noel, and Tyrene, in and out of the ring as they struggle with tough circumstances in their Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood while they train relentlessly for the Golden Gloves. Trainer Harry Keitt has his share of problems as well, going from a pro career and a stint as sparring partner for Muhammad Ali to crack addiction, homelessness, and jail, then taking up coaching as a road to redemption. A peek inside the personal lives of the three young athletes shows them to be tough but vulnerable kids, likable, courageous, and incredibly determined to see their way out of Brooklyn via a boxing career (there's another of those clichés come to life). As the three progress and move beyond the Bed-Stuy Boxing Center, Keitt must cope with seeing them leave his sphere of influence and move on. Filled with warm and very human characters, On the Ropes is a first-rate documentary and a behind-the-scenes look at a sports world that few of us ever see. --Jerry Renshaw

Description

Special Jury Award Winner at the 1999 Sundance Film Festival, On the Ropes is the compelling true story that follows the lives of three aspiring boxers and their trainer, Harry Keitt, one time sparring partner of Muhammad Ali.

Customer Reviews:

Outstanding!!!.......2004-02-23

This is a great DVD that captures the lives and stories of 4 people, 3 fighters and a trainer, trying to chase the brass ring in boxing, and life. A wonderfully gripping story that mainly focuses on the life of still active middleweight George Walton. You root big time for the 4 as they struggle to leave the tough Bed-Stuy NY neighborhood they live in. The only complaint here is that the DVD cuts off a nice bit at the end of the originally aired story that follows the reunion of George and his girlfriend, now (real life) wife, after her release from prison. This also deleats the 'where are they now?' updates. Great stuff though!

Entertaining but negative stereotyping.......2002-05-11

This is a pretty good documentary, although it's very typical and predictable. It's entertaining to watch, but it's a little bit like the guilty pleasure of watching a car accident. I wonder why so many documentary's are about underprivileged people who can't seem to escape from their poverty induced victim life. I'm not sure what the point of another hard knocks life film is, unless it shows that transcendence is possible. In the case of this film, the depressing stereotypes have only been perpetuated.

Personally, I prefer documentaries like When We Were Kings, Shadow Boxers, and Hoop Dreams - films that show us truely inspireing characters we have never seen before. Characters who prove that it is possible to confront your demons, whatever they may be, and win!

This movie is about a lot more than boxing..........2002-02-14

This movie is about the human spirit. It's about four distinctively different people playing the cards that have been dealt. One of the best documentaries I have ever seen. If you like Hoop Dreams, you'll love this movie. Soundtrack is excellent, by the way. The music supervisor did a great job with the music. Every film should have music like this.

Champion documentary.......2001-08-24

This superbly crafted narrative documentary entertains as it informs, revealing the struggles of three young boxers and their trainer, all trying to rise above the circumstances of a tough neighborhood, their inner demons and self-doubts, and the pressures to exist and to succeed in the face of their dreams. Remarkably constructed, this documentary plays like a fiction film. The characters, each flawed and heroic, tell a powerful story of the human spirit, for which their sport, boxing, a familiar vehicle for such dramas, stands less as a symbol of our common fight to survive and to overcome and more as a way, a faith. Still, you can find some great boxing footage here, both in the gym and the ring. Watch out for the second round of Noel's Golden Gloves opening match! But that's just it. At the end of this film, these characters are just that: Noel, Harry, etc,: human beings. People you care about, who are fighting that which oppresses them, from within and without. Their stories are amazing and exceptionally well-told. This stands beside Hoop Dreams. Highly recommended.

a film about boxing and life.......2001-06-16

This film follows the lives of three poor inner-city youths who want to get into prize fighting. It's shown very clearly that their lives outside of the ring are tougher than any boxing match one can imagine. One of the subjects has legal battles to contend with, another is having problems in school and another is having problems with the people who run the fights. Anyone who believes boxing is an easy way out for inner-city blacks and hispanics should watch this film.

Average customer rating:

Charlie Rose (August 19, 1999)

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Description

Sean "Puffy" Combs, CEO of Bad Boy Entertainment, speaks about the enormous growth of his rap music empire and highly-anticipated new album, Forever. Combs later discusses some of the musical artists that have made an impact on him, including Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac. Next, a conversation with filmmakers Nanette Burstein and Brett Morgan about their documentary On the Ropes, which follows the lives of three underprivileged young boxers from Brooklyn.

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