In this marvellously evocative Depression-era drama, James Coburn plays the manager of unsmiling bare-knuckle fighter Charles Bronson (particularly well cast). Debut director Walter Hill takes an elliptical, almost existential, route in telling his story, which means that the overall impact is dissipated quite early on. Nevertheless, there's much to admire here, especially the fine combination of cinematographer Philip Lathrop's images and Roger Spottiswoode's editing of the exciting fight sequences. Strother Martin is memorable as Bronson's drug-addict second, but it's hard to care about any of the characters.

In the depression, Chaney, a strong silent streetfighter, joins with Speed, a promoter of no-holds-barred street boxing bouts. They go to New Orleans where Speed borrows money to set up fights for Chaney, but Speed gambles away any winnings.