The Set-Up

One of the most realistic and gripping boxing films ever made, THE SET-UP is a tautly constructed, emotionally charged examination of one night in the life of an aging boxer, Stoker Thompson (Robert Ryan). Played out in real time as 72 uninterrupted minutes of Stoker's life, the movie begins as a crowd gathers in front of the arena in anticipation of the evening's bouts. Although almost washed up, Stoker is convinced that if he can win that night's bout he'll be back on the road to the top, "just one punch away" from being able to collect a big purse, open his own tavern, and retire. Meanwhile, his seedy manager (George Tobias) has taken $50 from a hood in return f...