Prizefighter: The Life of Jem Belcher

Prizefighter: The Life of Jem Belcher is a historical drama about the rise of Jem Belcher, a young fighter in early nineteenth-century England, when bare-knuckle boxing was still a young sport. Raised in poverty by his grandfather, a former fighter himself, Jem seeks out a renowned trainer and works his way toward the English championship. His success opens the door to a more comfortable world, but his career is interrupted by a serious injury that costs him the use of an eye. A promoter abandons him, and he slides into drinking before attempting a comeback.

The film was directed by Daniel Graham, working from a screenplay by Matt Hookings, who also produced and stars as Jem Belcher. The cast includes Ray Winstone as trainer Bill Warr, Jodhi May as Mary Belcher, Marton Csokas as Lord Rushworth, Steven Berkoff as Walter and Russell Crowe as Jack Slack. The production was made in the United Kingdom and the United States on a budget of 8 million dollars.

Released in June 2022, the film runs 106 minutes. Its ratings are modest, sitting at 5.5 out of 10 on IMDb from around 8,200 votes and 6.1 out of 10 on TMDB from roughly 216 votes, an audience response that suggests a mixed reception rather than broad acclaim.