of similar weight, however rarely of similar backgrounds. In ancient times gladiators were pited against each other to fight to their deaths for entertainment. A gladiator was often the underdog fighting for survival against a superior force. On the big screen boxing movies have become more successful than any other sports related film. Boxing movies such as Rocky and million Dollar Baby are the only sports related films to win Acadamey Awards for Best Picture. Directors of boxing movies have the great ability of creating characters with so much in common with the audience. Characters who come from disadvantage backgrounds that are used to scrapping for food and money to support families and loved ones, thus when it comes to fighting for survival in a boxing ring they have what it takes to win. However they never have the guidance or confidence to realize their full potential. This is where directors creates a kind, lovable, knowledgeable character who acts as a father figure and mentor. The audience is then taken on a journey of these two characters quest for glory which involves some of the following, heartbreak, struggle, sacrifice and belief. In any sport no matter what it is people will be drawn naturally to the underdog and cheer for them. People don’t like favorites winning unless of course they have the favorite backed! This is where directors create another character one that the audience dislikes, rude, arrogant, cocky etc.. who is at the top of the sport. These two rivals are finally pitted against each other, in one corner you have a fighter that everyone hates and in the other corner a fighter whom everyone has come to love and admire. Audiences like happy endings they are brought up with the stories of Snow white, Cinderella etc.. they want to exit the cinema happier than they entered. They want the underdog to win because they know how it feels to be an underdog. The audience admires a character with pride strength and courage. Great Directors are aware of this knowing what the audience desires and gives it to them. Boxing movies work because everyone loves a good underdog story! Top Ten Boxing Movies Countdown 10.Rocky III (1982) Released in 1982 Rocky III written, directed and starred in by Sylvester Stallone became the third movie of the Rocky Franchise. Boxer Rocky Balboa enjoys the wealth he has as world-champion. He only fights against straightforward opponents. Then he is challenged by the arrogant Clubber Lang. Rocky accepts the challenge
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