Diagonaldi Very well executed

VividSimon Simply Perfect

MamaGravity good back-story, and good acting

Loui Blair It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

Dalbert Pringle After seeing so many other boxing films, including Raging Bull and Rocky, it's the adrenaline-charged Body And Soul with all of its grit, glory and gut-felt energy that wins, hands-down.This film is literally near-perfect. It's the quintessential boxing film, guaranteed to more than just please any fan of the genre.Body And Soul stars dynamite-actor John Garfield who literally busts his guts in his role as Charley Davis, the fighter who'll do almost anything to get to the top - And so he does with tragic results.It really amazes me that John Garfield (one of the best actors of the 1940s) didn't win a much-deserved Oscar for his superb portrayal of Charley Davis. Although he did receive a nomination that year in the "Best Actor" category.Body And Soul is an allegorical work that covers everything from the importance of personal honor to corruption in politics. With the seductive lure of money (and how it can derail even a strong, common man in his pursuit of success) Charley Davis must learn the hard way that self-respect is a much more important prize to possess rather than that of winning in the ring.Released in 1947 - Body And Soul is, without a doubt, an absolutely gripping Drama, overflowing, from start to finish, with stark, heart-felt realism. The performances in this film (especially that of John Garfield and Lilli Palmer) are nothing short of riveting and the sensational fight scenes are a real sight to behold.When it comes to a film like Body And Soul - They sure don't make them like this one anymore.

wes-connors Thirty-five year old middleweight boxing champion John Garfield (as Charlie aka Charley Davis) wakes up from a nightmare shouting "Ben!" like Orson Wells called for "Rosebud" in "Citizen Kane" (1941). Mr. Garfield drives quickly to his old New York neighborhood, where he is treated like the plague by stone-faced mother Anne Revere (as Anna) and sweetheart Lilli Palmer (as Peg Born). Lounge singer Hazel Brooks (as Alice) is a little nicer. We learn Garfield is about to fight in the proverbial "fixed" championship bout. A flashback reveals how a poor boy gives up night school for the boxing ring...In some quarters, "Body and Soul" has a reputation for being revelatory in subject matter; on close inspection, this is a dubious assertion. The storyline follows familiar territory. It is distinctive in excellent direction from Robert Rossen and photographer James Wong Howe. Garfield leads the cast in performing exceptionally; he received an "Academy Award" nomination, and was the "New York Film Critics" #2 choice for "Best Actor" of the year. The Parrish-Lyon editing won. Also watch for fine "Supporting Actor" performances by Joseph Pevney (as Shorty Polaski), Canada Lee (as Ben Chaplin) and William Conrad (as Quinn).******** Body and Soul (8/22/47) Robert Rossen ~ John Garfield, Lilli Palmer, Joseph Pevney, Anne Revere

sdave7596 "Body and Soul" released by United Artists in 1947, was apparently made after actor John Garfield got out of his Warner Brothers contract. He had made many films with them, but wanted to be more independent. In this film, Garfield plays Charley Davis, a lower middle class New Yorker with a talent for boxing. Not unlike many boxers, certainly of that time period, using your fists for sport was a way out of your meager background. While I have never been a big fan of John Garfield and did not consider him a top notch actor of the golden age of Hollywood, this part does seem made for him. Garfield is quite good here, playing the conflicted Charley with skill and credibility. There are actually few real boxing scenes in the film, except for the end, and that is why labeling this as a 'boxing movie' seems a bit deceptive. There are capable supporting players, including the lovely Lili Palmer, who loves Charley. Robert Conrad and Lloyd Gough ably play the tough guy thugs who want Charley to sell his soul for money. A notable performance by African-American actor Canada Lee is striking - considering this is 1947 and is treated as an equal by the white actors. Garfield was known for his politically liberal views, and perhaps this is why he later ended up as an enemy of the Communist witch hunters in Washington. Garfield's untimely death at age 39 was a shock to many - his funeral was mobbed by thousands. Perhaps this elevated his image above the work he left behind in film - but still, this film and a handful of others are quite good.

kayaker36 The great lightweight champion of the 1920's Benny Leonard (true name: Benjamin Leiner) was the model for Charley Davis. Leonard's closeness to his mother was played up in the sporting press of the time. She wanted her son to play the violin, not box. Leonard reminded her in telegrams after each victory that he was "bringing home the bacon"--earning far more with his fists than he ever could as a fiddler. Sadly, Leonard lost all his money in the stock market crash and was forced to make an ill- advised comeback. When he retired as a boxer for keeps, he was given referee work. After officiating at six bouts on a hot New York night, Leonard suffered a heart attack and died in the ring.By today's standards this picture is oversentimental, lacking in subtlety and full of clichés. What hoists it is the gritty intensity of John Garfield. Due in large part to his early death, John Garfield's movies enjoy a cult following which time has not diminished. Garfield's pictures, even back in the 'thirties, often included black actors. This was unusual for the time, marking him out as politically liberal and perhaps helping make him a target for congressional red-baiters.