Information
- BFI identifier504472
- Date1897 (Release)
- Production countryUSA
- Production company
- SynopsisSPORT. The world heavyweight championship between Jim Corbett and Bob Fitzsimmons, filmed 17 March 1897 at Carson City, Nevada. Film incomplete. The two adjacent cameras used, giving an impression of a single viewpoint, are placed centrally behind the timekeeper, giving a full view of the ring. [Note: since the description below was written the film has been re-edited into chronological order (opening scenes, rounds one, five, six, seven, two unidentified rounds) on two double-reels, with much black spacing removed, so the overall length has been reduced] Reel 1: No title. Mid-way through Round 5 with both men looking tired and fighting close together (200). At the end of the round both retire to their corners, Corbett nearside right, Fitzsimmons farside left (250). Start of Round 6 with both coming out fighting straight away, then Corbett holding Fitzsimmons (338). Further action, with Corbett throwing punches on the far side of the ring; Fitzsimmons is knocked down and the referee starts the count, Fitzsimmons gets up (433-513). End of Round 6 (527). Start of Round 7, both men more cautious, positioned close together (677). Reel 2: [This reel does not show completely continuous acction] End of a round (50). Stsrt of a different round, possibly Round 1, Corbett with a very open stance (217). Start of another round, the boxers evenly matched (451). End of round (496). Sequence repeated (504). Start of a new round (515). Very fragmentary and disjointed sequence, mostly comprising pre-bout scenes (720). The scene in the ring before the bout, with both boxers robed and others around them including a man making announcements; Fitzsimmons takes off his robe; further such scenes (1250). Reel 3: Mid-way through a round; Corbett loses his footing briefly (115). End of the round (147). Start of new round (235). Fitzsimmons very active, then balance of the bout becomes more even with mid-ring clinches; fighting continues (419). Reel 4: Mid-way through a round, Fitzsimmons looking to be in control, round ends (148). Start of new round, both men clinching to begin with (250). Lively fighting with Corbett on the defensive (420). End of the round (498-530). Total length approx. 2280ft (35mm) [now 2625ft] Note: The film was originally taken by Enoch Rector and associates in a 63mm format using three cameras, and was 11,000ft long. This incomplete copy, lasting approx. 30 minutes shows roughly five or six rounds, with continuous action in reels 1, 3 and 4, and considerably disjointed action in reel 2. Rounds 5, 6 and 7 can be identified, but the fourteenth round, in which Fitzsimmons knocked out Corbett, is missing. [A copy of the knockout sequence alone, in a 16mm cropped version, has now been acquired as CORBETT V FITZSIMMONS (qv)]. The words "Copyright the Veriscope Company 1897" can be seen in large letters across the ringside, but "Veriscope" is obscured by the timekeeper, Madden (some sources say the timekeeper was the former lawman Bat Masterston, but he was in charge of security). The approx 1.75:1 image in contained in letter-box style within the 35mm frame. The referee was George Siler. References: Fleischer and Andre, A Pictorial History of Boxing (1975), pp. 75-79. Herbert/McKernan, Who's Who of Victorian Cinema (1996), entries on William Brady (Corbett's manager), Jim Corbett, Bob Fitzsimmons and Enoch Rector. Musser, The Emergence of Cinema (1990), pp. 194-200. (Shotlist)
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Title
Jim Corbett V Bob Fitzsimmons (Archive)
The Corbett-fitzsimmons Fight (Alternative)
Category
Non Fiction- Collections
- Film / Video
35mm BW Positive - Silent - Viewing
35mm BW Positive - Polyester - Silent - Viewing
35mm BW Positive - CTA - Silent - Viewing
Betacam SP - Video - Viewing
VHS cassette - Video - Viewing
VHS cassette - Video - Viewing
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- +Jim Corbett V Bob Fitzsimmons
Work - 504472 - 1897 (Release)
USA - Film - Non Fiction
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