At the turn of the 19th Century, boxer Jem Belcher fights against the odds to become the youngest ever Champion of England. After a life-changing accident risks ending his career, he must prove himself again and fight to reclaim his title.
A passion project written by and starring Matt Hookings, this awe-inspiring true story follows the life of Jem Belcher who became the world’s youngest boxing champion, a working-class hero and 1800s pop-culture icon. Partially blind at the age of 22 and dead by the age of 30, Prizefighter pulls no punches in delivering Belcher’s story offering an intense but rewarding underdog tale.
Starring a strong supporting cast including Ray Winstone as trainer Bill Warr and Russell Crowe as Jem's grandfather Jack Slack, this bombastic biopic is clearly a labour of love for its writer-producer-star Hookings who delivers a knockout tale of the pioneer boxer.
"Bristling with earthy grit, this period drama traces the origins of boxing as a sport at the turn of the 19th century."
- Shadows on the Wall
Wednesday 19th October
107 min
CTC
Ray Winstone, Russell Crowe, Matt Hookings
Daniel Graham
Film Festival
Palace James Street
