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| RISEN |
aka RISEN: THE HOWARD WINSTONE STORY
Year: 2010
UK: Scanbox Entertainment
Cast: Stuart Brennan, John Noble, Shane Richie, Helen
Griffin, Boyd Clack, Erik Morales, Grainne Joughin, Edward E-White,
Helen Griffin, Simon Phillips, Leon Sua, Don James, Enzo
Maccarinelli, Simon Wakeford, Billy Rumbol
Director: Neil Jones
Country: UK
UK: 121 mins
UK Certificate: 12A contains moderate sporting violence and
sight of injury
UK Release Date: 13 May 2011 (Limited Release)
UK DVD Release Date: 30 May 2011
Distributor
UK website
Synopsis
RISEN chronicles the remarkable and compelling true story of one of
Britain’s greatest sporting heroes, Welsh boxing legend Howard
Winstone. A distinctively British boxing film that ranks alongside
THE FIGHTER, ROCKY, and CINDERELLA MAN as a sports movie.
Produced and co-written by director Neil Jones (THE LOST) and star
Stuart Brennan (JACK SAID), and co-starring John Noble (FRINGE TV
series; THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING), Shane
Ritchie (EASTENDERS TV series), Boyd Clack (HIGH HOPES) and Grainne
Joughin (THE LOST), RISEN is one of only three movies ever to have
been supported officially by the World Boxing Council (the others
being THE HURRICANE and MILLION DOLLAR BABY). Adding to its
pedigree, the film features cameo appearances from a host of
real-life fighters including five-time World Boxing Champion, Erik
Morales, British World Champion, Alan Minter, Olympic Gold Medallist
and Heavyweight Champion of the World, Leon Spinks, the first
officially licensed British female boxer, Jane Couch, plus world
champions Tim Witherspoon, Enzo Maccarinelli, Steve Robinson, John H
Stracey, Glenn Catley, Richie Woodhall, Robin Reid and Junior
Witter.
Born in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, in 1939, as a humble miner’s son,
Howard Winstone was one of amateur boxing’s most promising rising
talents, noted for his knockout right hand. That was until his
dreams of a professional career were shattered when a fluke
industrial accident led to the crushing of Howard’s hand and the
loss of three fingertips, rendering him incapable of making a proper
fist. Severely depressed, Howard believed he had lost everything.
Against the odds, under the guidance of a new trainer and with the
unfailing support of his father, he adapted his technique and
developed a new style of fighting that saw him once again rising
victoriously through the amateur ranks.
Having won 83 of his 86 amateur bouts, by the time of his first
professional fight Howard had overcome adversity to establish
himself as a potential contender not only for the British and
European Championship titles but also the World Championship title.
Inevitably, though, success would have a price. With his marriage to
his childhood sweetheart falling apart, a series of unsuccessful
challenges for the World title and with the hopes of a nation
resting on his shoulders, the pressures were mounting. Now the
question was, did Howard Winstone have what was required to become
the Champion of the World?
Star Stuart Brennan spent five years preparing for the role of
Howard Winstone, training with Howard’s best friend, Don James
(who appears in the film as Billie Evans), and reached a standard of
boxing where he could have turned professional (and was actually
made an Honorary World Champion by the WBC; an honour only bestowed
on the very few including Nelson Mandela, Bill Clinton and the
Pope!). Stuart’s skills allowed Risen to become the first boxing
movie to portray full-contact fight scenes in which the lead actor
actually trades blows with his opponents. This, combined with the
first ever use of the HD Glove Cam, add an extra dimension to the
film, making it a must-see movie for all boxing fans.
DVD EXTRAS:
Special Features include:
BBC Wales "Behind the Scenes documentary
Deleted scenes (x 8)
Theatrical trailer
Music video
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