Body and Soul | Rotten Tomatoes

Body and Soul

Released Nov 9, 1947

1 hr. 44 min.

Drama

List

92%

12 Reviews

Tomatometer

88%

500+ Ratings

Audience Score

When amateur boxer Charley Davis (John Garfield) wins his first big match, he attracts the interest of small-time promoter Quinn (William Conrad). After Davis' father (Art Smith) is accidentally killed, Davis throws himself into his new career despite the protests of his mother (Anne Revere). A natural, Davis quickly climbs the boxing ladder where he eventually meets opportunistic promoter Roberts (Lloyd Gough), who introduces him to some unsavory elements.

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Taylor L

"You better buy a gun and shoot yourself." "You need money to buy a gun." Fresh off a viewing of the crowd-pleasing boxing film Somebody Up There Likes Me, the tougher nature of this more brutal take on the fighting world has aged far better by comparison. Body and Soul takes the standard approach of the boxing flick - a young upstart climbing the ranks - but takes cues from the noir films that were in vogue in the '40s. Instead of a tale of inspirational doggedness, this Robert Rossen film is a dark (if somewhat unsurprising) tale of ambition, corruption, and dishonesty in the face of personal gain. John Garfield's Charley Davis comes from a tough background, a young man who wants to make his fortune rather than keep his nose to the grindstone of a middle-class life, alienating himself from his conservative parents despite wanting the best for them. From there, he makes his way in the world but gradually attracts a crowd of hangers-on leeching off his success and coaxing him away from what was once a firm internal compass, until he no longer recognizes himself. On paper, the film sounds like a standard morality tale right at home in every family household, but there's more moral sludge than you might expect and the protagonist's failure to recognize himself in the mirror as the film goes on feels compelling. In addition, there are great pieces besides the screenplay (which got an Oscar nod), in particular the excellent cinematography from the legendary James Wong Howe and a brilliant and heart-wrenching supporting turn from pioneering actor Canada Lee. Flailing in the ring seeing visions of his past self, the betrayal and untimely demise of Lee's former champ hits harder than the actual finale. If you make a bulleted list of the plot points in this film, there's hardly anything that you won't find in other boxing flicks, but the script and tone are head and shoulders above most of the imitators. (3.5/5)

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

12/29/22

Full Review

Ed M

Hokey and melodramatic. You've seen it a million times.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

12/05/21

Full Review

Audience Member

Every aspect of this film floored me. James Wong Howe visuals, John Garfield, Lilli Palmer and the rest if the cast's performances, and Abraham Polanski's script are all knockouts. Robert Rossen directed only ten pictures, this his second, might be his best. He also directed The Hustler and All The King's Men.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/13/23

Full Review

steve d

The story isn't great but the acting is fantastic.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

s r

A moving boxing drama.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Great boxing movie. I love the black and white cinematography. John Garfield is amazing,as usual. Also love the Canada Lee character,Ben. A must see for Garfield fans,and boxing fans.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/12/23

Full Review

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Robert Rossen

Director

John Garfield

Charley Davis

Lilli Palmer

Peg Born

Hazel Brooks

Alice

Anne Revere

Anna Davis

William Conrad

Quinn

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Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

Trite is hardly the word for the plot, which was already wheezy by the time this minor classic was made in 1947, but Abraham Polonsky's script brings such tight, painful focus to the moral choices that it seems fresh and real.

Mar 25, 2008

Full Review

Time Out

Garfield's bullish performance saves the movie from its stagy moments and episodic script.

Feb 9, 2006

Full Review

Bosley Crowther

New York Times

Altogether this Enterprise picture rolls up a round-by-round triumph on points until it comes through with a climactic knockout that hits the all-time high in throat-catching fight films.

Rated: 4/5

Jan 28, 2006

Full Review

Yasser Medina

Cinefilia

Despite boasting a remarkable performance from John Garfield, I find the narrative to be a bit mechanical and lacks punching force like boxing film noir. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 6/10

Jan 20, 2021

Full Review

Tynan Yanaga

Film Inquiry

Body and Soul is a film not simply with gritty boxing scenes but also a fascinating character analysis indicative of the human condition.

Jul 24, 2017

Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson

Combustible Celluloid

If the movie works today, it's probably because of Abraham Polonsky's beautiful screenplay, a rich desert plate filled with glorious, lowdown street and sports prose.

Aug 22, 2012

Full Review

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Synopsis

When amateur boxer Charley Davis (John Garfield) wins his first big match, he attracts the interest of small-time promoter Quinn (William Conrad). After Davis' father (Art Smith) is accidentally killed, Davis throws himself into his new career despite the protests of his mother (Anne Revere). A natural, Davis quickly climbs the boxing ladder where he eventually meets opportunistic promoter Roberts (Lloyd Gough), who introduces him to some unsavory elements.

Director: Robert Rossen
Distributor: United Artists
Production Co: Enterprise Films
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 9, 1947, Original
Release Date (DVD): Aug 21, 2001