Customer Reviews

F.I.S.T.

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This movie from the late 70s, loosely based on the life of Jimmy Hoffa, about a labor leader, Frank Kovak, who makes a Faustian bargain with the mob for which he ultimately pays the price, was done before Stallone became locked into the ironjawed superhero mode. In the early scenes of the movie, he is still able to display the qualities of charm, humor and humanity that distinguished his performance in the orginal Rocky and, further back, in The Lords of Flatbush.
Moreover, the film is graced with strong supporting performances. In particular, I would single out Tony Lo Bianco's performance as the mob boss, Babe Milano, to whom Stallone turns when the survival of his trucker's union is on the line, for its chillingly effective qualities of understated and insinuating menace, especially from an actor who I have found to be prone to overacting.
The main criticism that one could make of this effort if one references it to the life of Hoffa is that Kovak is treated as genuinely heroic instead of the corrupted person that Hoffa in fact became, for although Kovak made a deal with the mob, more specifically, Babe Milano, it is made clear that he did so only because he thought it was necessary to insure the continued existence of his union when its striking members were being beaten up by company goons, not for his personal aggrandizement. Moreover, for what it is worth, I remember reading at the time of the film's release that Stallone insisted that the character be portrayed this way. In spite of this caveat, I find Fist to be both dramatically compelling and strongly acted.

MGM needs to release this above-average drama on DVD. It is similar to the Jimmy Hoffa story and it's captivating. Sylvester Stallone gives one of his most heart-felt performances and is overshadowed by "Rocky". So, please MGM, release this and the missing "Red Sonja" with the other immortal deity. These are good movies and I would definitely buy at least ten copies on DVD of each movie. Thank you!

First off, Sylvester Stallone is my favorite actor and secondly I believe this to be probably one of his best films (besides Rocky) and why it was not a hit is beyond me because it really is a great story and Stallone does a great job in the acting --- its 2 1/2 hours long but I throughly enjoyed every minute of it and can't wait til I can get my own copy and watch it again.

If you like Stallone this is a DEFINITE must.

This movie closely resembles the "Jimmy Hoffa" story. This story tells of a young labor icon who quickly climbs the ladder of labor leadership within his union.Along the way he falls into the hands of the Mafia. This movie has well photographed labor violence. Several times strikes erupt into riots. Stallone forgets where he came from in the ranks and becomes crooked.He
startins getting the attention of the legal authorities.His very
protectors,the Mafia soon grow disenchanted with him.The story
reaches a very predictable ending. This is by no means a "Rocky"
or "Rambo" movie. Watch it anyway.

Stallone at his very worst. A one dimensional look at an average man with high ideals being corrupted by the things he used to hate as he rises in power. Avoid this film like the plague.

A must for Stallone fans this is...Stallone in his best dramatic role, apart from Cop Land, better than Paradise Alley and Victory. That doesn't mean that this film is perfect, it's a bit slow at times.

My title says it all.this is the worst stallone movie yet.i just watched the begginning and then skiped to the end.i eally didnt understand the plot of it.skip it,please.save yourself presious time and get "Over The Top" instead.