A British boxing drama with a surface chirpiness that seeks to conceal its increasingly jaded undertone. Jack Warner dispenses nuggets of down-to-earth wisdom to a number of boxers (including Bill 'Compo' Owen, Bill Travers and Robert Beatty), all of whom are at some kind of turning point in their lives. As always with this kind of movie, some strands are stronger than others, but a rewarding enough watch overall.

A British film from the 50's about professional boxing. We get to meet those fighters who participate in a one-night event that involves a programme of many fights.

This film is like a snapshot of a long lost era of British filmmaking. We have great characters, a sly sense of humour at play and grit in the way the sport is portrayed as completely corrupt and in turn corrupting.

The film also shows how truly brutal the sport is. The ending is totally gut-wrenching and completely unexpected.

We also get British film royalty in the guise of legends such as Joan Collins, Joan Sims and Sid James as part of the cast.

Highly recommended.