The Set-Up

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The Set-Up ★★★½ 1949

Excellent, original if somewhat overwrought morality tale about integrity set in the world of boxing. Filmed as a continuous narrative covering only 72 minutes in the life of aging fighter Stoker Thompson (Ryan). His manager (Tobias) takes a gangster's bribe for Thompson to throw the fight (without informing him), never believing the washedup boxer has a chance to win. Powerful, with fine performances, especially from Ryan in the lead. Inspired by Joseph Moncure March's narrative poem. 72m/B VHS, DVD . Robert Ryan, Audrey Totter, George Tobias, Alan Baxter, James Edwards, Wallace Ford; D: Robert Wise; W: Art Cohn; C: Milton Krasner.