^ a b c d ' Prizefighter: The Life of Jem Belcher (2022) - Cast and Crew'.^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m ' Prizefighter: The Life of Jem Belcher'.^ a b c d ' Prizefighter: The Life of Jem Belcher (2022)'.On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 20% of 15 critics gave the film a positive review, with an average rating of 4.7/10. Prizefighter: The Life of Jem Belcher grossed $0 in North America and $150,499 in other territories. It had a VOD release by Amazon Prime on July 22, 2022. The film was first theatrically released in Russia on June 30, 2022, and then in Croatia, United Arab Emirates, Portugal, Spain. In May 2022, it was announced that Russell Crowe would be joining the film. The film was delayed due to significant financial issues, including infighting amongst producers. On July 28, 2021, it was announced that after the film was being shot in south Wales had to move production abroad to Lithuania due to a lack of financial support by Creative Wales, even though lead actor and writer Matt Hookings is Welsh. Principal photography began on Jin Wales and finished in Malta on November 9, 2021. The film concludes with a note to say that Bill Warr died in 1809, Jem was crowned the youngest champion ever and died 2 years after Bill in 1811 at just 30 years of age. The fight continues and becomes a brutal test of survival for both fighters. Jem overpowers Pearce and knocks him to the floor, but the younger fighter beats the count. Bill advises Jem to box tactically and not get caught in a slugging match. After two vicious rounds, Jem is barely holding his own. Pearce immediately targets Jem's damaged eye and Bill guides Jem through the fight. The fight is commenced under new rules with boxing gloves which Jem is unaccustomed to. Rushworth takes to training Pearce knowing that Jem has a weak eye. Bill trains Jem hard to prepare him for Henry 'The Game Chicken' Pearce who is a dangerous opponent and the new Champion of England. Jem realises he has taken his skill for granted and rejoins Bill to train for his title defense. When he is released, he returns to see his family. Jem goes on a destructive trail, drinking and eventually winds up in prison. The younger Jem, declines and cannot differentiate himself from the fighter and the man. Bill encourages Jem to step back from fighting and return home to rest and see his family. In a display match run by Rushworth Jem is struck in the eye and loses most of his vision in his left eye. In no time he starts losing discipline and meets with Lord Rushworth who introduces Jem to the vices of gambling and drinking.īill worries that Jem is going to lose his new found status as Champion. Jem though like Jack takes to the lifestyle of a fighter poorly and is intoxicated by the trappings it provides. He is revered around the country and Mary is shocked to hear how far and quickly her son has risen. Jem takes to prize fighting with ease and is quickly pitched against the champion of England, who he manages to defeat after being coached by Bill.

His mother is appalled but the older Jack, advises him that if he maintains discipline unlike himself, he could become a true champion. He is spotted by Bill Warr, who approaches Jem to come fight for him. One afternoon, Jem spots an opportunity for some coin and fights in a fair easily defeating the troupe's champion, Bob 'the Blackbeard' Britton. Jem is constantly warned by his mother Mary Belcher against following his grandfather's life as Prizefighter. The film was first theatrically released in Russia on June 30, 2022, and it had a VOD release by Amazon Prime on July 22, 2022.Īlthough based on real events, the film is a largely fictitious re-imagining of the life of Jem Belcher from when he grows up watching his revered grandfather Jack Slack fight as a bare-knuckle pugilist. Marton Csokas, Jodhi May, Steven Berkoff, Julian Glover, Julius Francis are the supporting cast. The film stars Matt Hookings as Jem Belcher, Ray Winstone as his trainer Bill Warr and Russell Crowe as Jem's boozy grandfather Jack Slack. Jem was partially blind at the age of 22 and dead by the age of 30.

The film explores the life of Jem Belcher who became the youngest ever world champion. Prizefighter: The Life of Jem Belcher is a 2022 British-American biographical drama film about the birth of boxing, written by and starring Matt Hookings.

Prize fighter movies