Midnight Sting [DVD]

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A number of rules are set at a meeting between Caine and Gillon’s team. Two of the fighters, teenage Robby Gillon and his friend Billy Hargrove, are allowed to wear headgear. That’s part of a negotiation where Caine agrees to let any man residing in Olivair County on that day, with proof, to take part. Caine fears ringers, and this sets his mind at ease. You’ve got Woods and Dern, two great veteran actors, just chewing scenery throughout, sharing these fantastic, melodramatic glares, while Gossett, another great veteran actor, puts in a more subtle, reserved performance as the old fighter. The supporting cast do their jobs well enough, rounding out everything out with small and memorable roles, particularly the opposing fighters; each of them has a distinct little personality, as do their fights. That brings up Diggstown's best man, Hammerhead Hagan, the only fighter ever to actually beat Palmer during their professional careers. He is brought in as a surprise ringer. Gillon moved him in as a county resident just before the bet rules were established, meaning that Hagan can legally fight. Hagan pounds Palmer to the point that Caine wants to stop the fight in the corner, which Palmer won’t let him do again. The fights up to now had their little moments, but this one is the first one where we see some really cool fight cinematography and choreography; this is a smart production tactic, because it reinforces the idea that this one, compared to the others, is a sincerely dangerous fight for Roy. It’s a war between two professionals who know what they’re doing, not just Palmer doing his best to take down a series of wannabes who hope he’s gotten tired enough to fall. This article's plot summary may be too long or excessively detailed. Please help improve it by removing unnecessary details and making it more concise. ( August 2021) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message)

For a film that has two known titles, it saddens me that Midnight Sting or by its other name Diggstown has been forgotten by the film fan, especially those who love their boxing. For me personally, Midnight Sting (the title I know it as) is one of my most cherished films. I was not happy until I finally had it in my DVD collection where it now stands proud among my horror titles, ok it looks odd next to The Shinning and Straw Dogs, but I do not care, I love this film with a passion and by putting it up on the HCF REWIND, I hope that it catches the eye of our readers who may decide to seek it out themselves. Palmer has one more man to beat, and it’s Minoso Torres (Alex Garcia), the inmate we saw pummel Caine’s friend Wolf in prison at the beginning of the movie. Torres is accompanied by Warden Bates, a friend of Gillon’s. Their boxer will fight any 10 opponents Gillon puts up against him in a 24-hour period. If he is still standing and victorious after the final man then Fritz and Kane win the bet!- Simple!At least it has recently appeared on ESPN Classic so it would seem that a cult following may be building for this terrific film. I don't think this one lasted three weeks in the theaters around here, but the first time I saw it on cable, I was hooked. Diggstown is not only a hilarious film, but it's also one of the best "sports" movies I've ever seen. A mean-spirited man named John Gillon ( Bruce Dern) owns almost all of Diggstown. He is feared by many but also respected because he is the former manager of Diggstown's pride and joy, the once-famous boxer Charles Macom Diggs, the man for whom the town is named.

But as Torres whales away on an exhausted Palmer, Caine repeats Gillon’s move from earlier: he whistles, adjusts his tie, turns is thumb down, and Torres takes the dive on one shot from Palmer.Actually,” Caine tells Gillon, “I believe it goes, ‘Never con a con man, especially when he’s better than you are.’” The fighters come and go through the ring, but at times it appears the real contest is between Caine and Gillon, as they match wits and execute their ploys against each other. Palmer shows his legendary skill, but each new opponent is diverting and offers something of a special, unexpected challenge. Perhaps one of the best parts of the movie are the witty asides that Woods and Gossett trade between rounds at ringside. Woods also tries to do Bogart with Heather Graham as Emily Forrester, but this takes neither of their character arcs very far. It's obvious he's this veteran and seasoned con man, and she's just a nice girl fresh out of college with no hint of the savvy Lauren Bacall had about her. Any hint of romantic involvement between them somehow simply reeks of jail bait, and besides his underhanded machinations have already gotten her brother killed, no matter how indirectly.

It's a cast of champs in this drama with comic elements about prize fighting, involving an ex-con James Woods who ends up managing veteran prize fighter Louis Gossett Jr. And bets that he can take on 10 of the top fighters from Diggstown. Of course when you have got great actors like Woods, Gossett and Bruce Dern involved, you've find me an embarrassment of riches, but the problem is that the script has so much going on there's not enough time for real character development outside of the three main veteran actors, and the screenwriters idea of comedy is having one of the competitors dealing with flatulence while in the ring with Gossett. Oliver Platt and Heather Graham co-star, with Orestes Matacena having an important minor role as a mobster threatening Woods over the investment he made on Gossett's side.I've seen this movie several times over the years and it never gets old. Gossett, Platt and Dern are terrific in their respective roles, but Woods takes every scene with his white suit and smarminess.