Gentleman Jim (1942)

This is a must-see and one of the best documentaries - and films - of this year.

The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.

The acting in this movie is really good.

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

A classic boxing drama based on the life of James J Corbett, this is one Erroyl Flynn's finest performances, with magnificent supporting performances Alexis Smith ,Alan Hale, William Frawly, with special kudos to Ward Bond for his magnificent portrayal of the great John L. Sullivan. This gem of a film features some of the finest boxing sequences and cinematic history.

I am somewhat biased against movies from before the panoramic era, but this movie was terrific. Errol Flynn, who always struck me as a pencil moustached dandy, was simply outstanding as the original dancing boxer, Gentleman Jim Corbett. According to background information, Flynn was a bit of a boxer himself, and it showed in his technique -- lets put it this way, as a boxer he blows away Sylvester Stallone. My one criticism would be of Ward Bond's fighting style -- he acted as though every jab nearly took his head off. Outside of the fighting scenes, Flynn's charisma carries the movie. His acting is subdued and effective. I cannot say the same for his leading lady. She gave a typical overwrought 1940s performance, but it didn't detract from my enjoyment of this film.

Good boxing movie, the story of "Gentleman Jim" Corbett, one of the earliest world heavyweight champions under the Marquis of Queensbury rules.Shows very well how Corbett revolutionised the sport. Before it was pretty much a brawl or slugfest. He used his speed to dodge and wear down opponents, and made it more tactical.Reasonably accurate, historically. Some of the sub-plots are thrown in for entertainment value and can be a bit silly at times.Great performance by Errol Flynn in the lead role. Good support from Alexis Smith.

First, I admit I cannot comment on how this movie compares with the real story of Jim Corbett. Very likely, it is akin to the 1962 movie "Lawrence Of Arabia", which had little to do with the actual story of Thomas E. Lawrence, but was still acclaimed for its entertainment value. I assume this movie had the same idea-a fictionalized version of the story of the title boxer. Of course I've long expected that from Hollywood.So how is it as a movie? We begin by seeing an illegal match attended by a crowd, including a respectable judge-oooh! But then the Olympic Club, a local elite establishment, decides to use the new Marquis of Queensbury boxing rules to make boxing into a respectable sport, and Jim Corbett, a bank clerk who had come to make a delivery, is chosen to be a new boxer under the new rules. He does well, but Corbett's aggressiveness and egotism get the club members upset. At home, Jim gets into fights with his brothers, and all the locals come look every time this occurs (hence the phrase).Corbett earns fame and fortune, and shares his wealth with his family, but he still wants to be a world champion. John L. Sullivan was his childhood idol from the last boxing generation-will he end up in a fight with him, and how would it go?Great performances by the entire all-star cast and no wasted moments make the film entertaining for everybody.