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Errol Flynn, Alexis Smith, Jack Carson, Alan Hale, John Loder ... see more see more... , Ward Bond , William Frawley , Minor Watson , Madeleine Le Beau , Rhys Williams , Arthur Shields , Dorothy Vaughan , James Flavin , Pat Flaherty , Wallis Clark , Marilyn Phillips , Art Foster , Edwin Stanley , Harry Crocker , Frank Mayo , Fred Kelsey , Sammy Stein , Hooper Atchley , Clara Blandick , Monte Blue , Wade Boteler , Georgia Caine , Wade Crosby , William B. Davidson , William "Wee Willie" Davis , Jean Del Val , Lester Dorr , Mary Gordon , Frank S. Hagney , Carl Harbaugh , William Hopper , Milt Kibbee , Mike Mazurki , Lon McCallister , Pat O'Malley , Lee Phelps , Emmett Vogan , Charles C. Wilson

Maybe Errol Flynn was never the war hero that he often played, but he was a capable boxer, and Gentleman Jim makes full use of this skill. Flynn stars as Jim Corbett, the 19th-century American pugilis... read more read more...t who introduced "scientific" methods to bare-knuckle boxing. Originally an office clerk, Corbett is introduced to the then-illegal sport of fighting when one of the bank executives sponsors the young man's training at the Olympic Club. His arrogance wins Corbett a few enemies, including high-born lady Victoria Ware (Alexis Smith), whose dislike turns to casual affection when she realizes that Corbett is a sincere young fellow who can back up his boasts. What "Gentleman Jim" desires most in life is a match with reigning heavyweight champ John L. Sullivan (Ward Bond). Corbett and Sullivan finally meet in a bout governed by those new Marquis of Queensbury rules that Corbett has helped popularize. Twenty-one epoch-making rounds later, Corbett emerges victorious. At the victory celebration, Sullivan and Corbett graciously exchange mutual words of respect and affection. At this point, Corbett has totally won over the lovely Victoria -- but hasn't quite convinced his brawling brothers that "scientific" boxing is the wave of the future, and the film ends with a typical Raoul Walsh-directed battle royal. More faithful to the facts than most Errol Flynn biopics (but still with enough poetic license to drive historical purists up a wall), Gentleman Jim is broad, boisterous entertainment. Though it looks expensive, the film was made under Warner Bros.' standard pinchpenny restrictions; if you look closely at that moored ship where Corbett has one of his first professional fights, you'll notice that it's a leftover set from the 1940 Errol Flynn swashbuckler The Sea Hawk. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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79% liked it

475 ratings

Critics

100% liked it

9 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 44 min.

Directed by: Raoul Walsh

Release Date: January 1, 1942

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DVD Release Date: March 27, 2007

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Flixster Reviews (42)

  • ajv2688
    October 13, 2010
    ajv2688
    A pretty good boxing movie, it's set in the past, in England (I think). I saw it on TV, and it looked good enough, but I got kinda bored with it in some scenes.
  • jjnxn
    January 3, 2009
    jjnxn
    Errol has one of his best roles here. How much is truth who knows but its well played and Alexis Smith is incredibly lovely.
  • Dannyrovira
    June 15, 2010
    Dannyrovira
    A Warner Brothers classic, that richly deserves a place among the pantheon of great boxing films, it tells the true-life story of James J. "Gentlemen Jim" Corbett, the colorful Irish-American boxer who became the first heavyweight champion of the world, under the new Marquis of Q... read moreueensberry rules. The story follows Corbett played by Errol Flynn who delivers one of the finest and most charismatic performances of his career, as a ambitious bank clerk in San Francisco, who thru chance will fight the ex-boxing champion of England and win. That will eventually lead to a fearsome fight with the heavyweight champion of the world, the great John L. Sullivan a legendary ring king played by Ward Bond in brilliant larger-than-life performance which is one of the finest moments in his distinguished career. The film is also a fascinating look at the early days of boxing as a outlaw sport, with some exciting and realistic fight sequences, which well-staged and are highly effective. Flynn was actually an accomplished boxer and you can see it was him doing all of his stunts and no doubles, this role was Errol Flynn's favorite, he trained rigorously to master Corbett's gliding footwork, his deft jabbing and lighting left-hooking that were all Corbett trademarks. Magnificent supporting performances from Alexis Smith, Jack Carson, Alan Hale, William Frawley, Minor Watson, and John Loder. Superlative direction by Raoul Walsh and impressive production values, convincingly recreating San Francisco circa 1887. A Knockout entertainment. Highly Recommended.
  • jam233
    September 10, 2009
    jam233
    This is a really great and overlooked film. This is Errol Flynn's best performance and Ward Bond is the best among the excellent supporting cast. Very well made, fine direction by Raoul Walsh. It's Flynn's film all the way.
  • cavemanlawyer91
    January 17, 2008
    cavemanlawyer91
    A great period film about boxing in the early days. ERROL FLYNN!!!! can't go wrong there. Pretty good.

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Critic Reviews

Fernando F. Croce
October 18, 2010
Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion

The most kinetic of period pieces, the least pious of biopics, Walsh's Grand Illusion, an elegy for men trying to hang on to the notion of blood sports as games of honor Full Review

Jeremy Heilman
August 9, 2009
Jeremy Heilman, MovieMartyr.com

Walsh trusts his viewers to value ability and wit over humility and pathos, resulting in one of the most roundly entertaining of all sports films. Full Review

Michael E. Grost
July 17, 2009
Michael E. Grost, Classic Film and Television

One of the most lovable, funny and enthusiastic of all film biographies. Full Review

John J. Puccio
March 31, 2007
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis

...has all the exuberance, excitement, romance, and high good humor that is missing in many of today's so-called inspirational sports films. Full Review

Dennis Schwartz
December 12, 2005
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Errol Flynn excels as the brash, social-climbing Corbett. Full Review

Steve Crum
January 4, 2005
Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan

Romanticized Jim Corbett boxing fable; Flynn is still fun to watch.

Ken Hanke
September 4, 2004
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Superior -- if largely fact-free -- biopic with Flynn as the character should have been rather than as he was.

March 26, 2009
Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

August 8, 2006
New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Dave Kehr
January 1, 2000
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

Click to read the article Full Review

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