IFTA-winner Andrew Gallimore’s feature documentary ‘The Gentleman Prizefighter’ is to receive its TV premiere tonight (August 20) at 9pm on Setanta Sports Ireland.
Following on from screenings at the Galway Film Fleadh and last weekend’s Stranger than Fiction Documentary Film Festival in Dublin, the documentary chronicles the life and times of Jim Corbett, a former heavyweight boxing champion who lay claim to being one of the first movie stars and arguably the most famous man in America in his heyday.
Gallimore’s documentary was based on a biography written by Irish sports journalist Patrick Myler and was produced by Rory Dungan and Morgan Bushe of Dublin-based Fastnet Films.
Speaking about the film, Dungan said: “This film is an enormous credit to Andrew Gallimore who has yet again managed to unearth an extraordinary treasure trove of never before seen archive and blend it into a truly fascinating tale.
“Although Corbett is still remembered for his boxing career, this film explores much more than that. His reputation has always been that of a “gentleman” but Patrick Myler’s research has turned up new opinions on a man who was no stranger to sexual escapades and racist tendencies, we’re seeing Corbett in an entirely new light”.
The documentary was funded through the BAI Sound and Vision scheme and Setanta Sports Ireland. It was photographed by Stephen Hart and edited by Eoin McDonagh.
