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The Bleeder

Play trailer 1:29 Poster for The Bleeder R 2017 1h 41m Biography History Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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82% Tomatometer 82 Reviews 64% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
He was the pride of Bayonne, N.J., a man who went 15 rounds in the ring with Muhammad Ali. But before all of that, Chuck Wepner was a liquor salesman and father with a modest prizefighting career whose life changed overnight when, in 1975, he was chosen to take on Ali in a highly publicized title match. It's the beginning of a wild ride through the exhilarating highs and humbling lows of sudden fame, but what happens when your 15 minutes in the spotlight are up?

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The Bleeder

The Bleeder

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Critics Consensus

Chuck is hit with a handful of sports biopic clichés but ultimately punches above its weight, largely thanks to a muscular performance from Liev Schreiber.

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Critics Reviews

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Barry Hertz Globe and Mail 05/19/2017
3/4
It may not go the distance, but it's surely worth a step into the ring. Go to Full Review Bruce DeMara Toronto Star 05/18/2017
3/4
Liev Schreiber is top-notch in the lead role in this funny, sad and warm cautionary tale. Go to Full Review Marjorie Baumgarten Austin Chronicle 05/18/2017
3.5/5
The film tells an achingly true story about chasing dreams and letting them slip through your hands, as well as the gravitational forces that cause one's life to seek its own level. Go to Full Review Leigh Paatsch Herald Sun (Australia) 08/13/2021
3.5/5
[A] bruising biopic... Go to Full Review Sarah Brinks Battleship Pretension 12/15/2020
Chuck is a solid addition to the boxing movie subgenre. It, of course, borrows some imagery and tropes from previous films but it tells a complete and compelling story... Go to Full Review Leigh Monson Substream Magazine 09/24/2020
4/5
Chuck exists on the other side of a coin, showing the dark reality of Rocky's idealized fantasy. That alone is enough reason to pay attention to the tragedy of Chuck Wegner. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Keith B B @Okbullard Nov 20 I enjoyed it and yes I saw the actual Ali/ Wepner fight and have been a fight fan for many decades. Also I remember the knockdown controversy but didn't know much else about Wepner. It's definitely worth the watch. Finally, I've been a Liev Schreiber fan ever since he starred in Ray Donovan; he was so good in that series it was a five star performance. See more Craig W. @CJWolfe27 Sep 8 Great movie based on a true story See more Noneya B @RT10069799 06/02/2024 This guy is a mess and I dislike everything about him, which tells me it's a decent film. Worth a watch to anyone interested in the guy Rocky is based off of. See more danny h @ibast 10/10/2022 A boxing movie that isn't about the boxing itself. And it's good true story and some great acting. See more andrea c @Charst 01/01/2022 La vera storia di Chuck Wepner vive di alti e bassi cosi come il film. Il famoso incontro contro Alì sfugge via senza grandi sussulti, così come la vita del pugile prende una piega malinconica già vista troppo spesso, specialmente tra i grandi sportivi del passato in ambito pugilistico. Comunque il racconto è piacevole e non si cercano esagerazioni utili solo a renderlo più hollywoodiano. See more 08/07/2021 I thought it was an interesting movie and story about the life of Chuck Wepner, the real Rocky Balboa. It was hard not to continually feel sorry for him as he was surrounded by people who loved him, including his own family members, and he couldn't see it as he continually blew that part of his life along with movie parts for Rocky. See more Read all reviews
The Bleeder

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Cast & Crew

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Philippe Falardeau

Director

Liev Schreiber

Chuck Wepner

Elisabeth Moss

Phyliss

Naomi Watts

Linda

Ron Perlman

Al Braverman

Jim Gaffigan

John

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The Bleeder

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The Bleeder

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Movie Info

Synopsis He was the pride of Bayonne, N.J., a man who went 15 rounds in the ring with Muhammad Ali. But before all of that, Chuck Wepner was a liquor salesman and father with a modest prizefighting career whose life changed overnight when, in 1975, he was chosen to take on Ali in a highly publicized title match. It's the beginning of a wild ride through the exhilarating highs and humbling lows of sudden fame, but what happens when your 15 minutes in the spotlight are up?
Director
Philippe Falardeau
Producer
Liev Schreiber, Michael Tollin, Carl Hampe, Christa Campbell, Lati Grobman
Screenwriter
Jeff Feuerzeig, Jerry Stahl, Michael Cristofer, Liev Schreiber
Distributor
IFC Films
Production Co
Mandalay Sports Media, Jeff Rice Films, Campbell Grobman Films
Rating
R (Language Throughout|Drug Use|Sexuality/Nudity|Some Bloody Images)
Genre
Biography, History, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
May 5, 2017, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Jul 10, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$320.7K
Runtime
1h 41m