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Paul Newman headlines this Robert Wise biopic about real-life boxing champ Rocky Graziano. Ernest Lehman’s smart, well-paced script sees Rocky through several youthful indiscretions that threaten to ruin him just as the lightweight championship comes within reach.

Though he had appeared in one other film prior, this is the movie that launched Paul Newman to stardom, and it’s no wonder why — he’s magnetic. (James Dean was originally slated to star, but was killed prior to the start of production.) The supporting players are competent, but Oscar-winner Eileen Heckart (Butterflies Are Free) stands out as Rocky’s mom. The set design and cinematography won Academy Awards, and the climactic fight — with cross-cut reactions of Rocky’s friends, family, and community — creates an genuine feeling of pride and victory that wouldn’t be rivaled for twenty years… Not until another boxer by the same name would grace the silver screen and make film history all over again.

With Pier Angeli and Sal Mineo.

Academy Awards: Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction

Oscar Nominations: Best Film Editing