Day of the Fight

Day of the Fight is a 1951 American short subject documentary film that is an invigorating blend of sports cinema and human interest storytelling. The film is directed by legendary filmmaker Stanley Kubrick in an early commencement of his illustrious career. Notable for its meticulous attention to detail and visual framing, Day of the Fight showcases elements that would become hallmarks in Kubrick's grand oeuvre.

The film features Douglas Edwards, celebrated CBS news correspondent of his time who provides the documentary's narration, while Nat Fleischer, an eminent boxing journalist and historian, gives it an authentic touch. At the heart of the movie, and quite literally in the ring, is middleweight boxer Walter Cartier.

Day of the Fight starts effectively with the black and white stills converting into motion pictures, and sets an overarching tone of authenticity and intimacy that permeates throughout its narrative. Shining a spotlight on the brutal world of professional boxing, it is less metaphorically a sports documentary and more a clinical chalet into an athlete's life.

In its brisk 16-minute runtime, the film gives a richly detailed account of a day in the life of Walter Cartier, a Bronx-based prizefighter. It illustrates detailed pedestrian moments that underscore Cartier's austere lifestyle and immense dedication, not seen superficially but felt deeply. This journey starts with Cartier's early morning routine, following him through his breakfast diet, physical training in the gym, prayers at the church, and an intimate gathering with comforting friends.

Kubrick's movie delivers a humane backdrop to the all too often de-humanized world of professional boxing. Instead of emphasizing the violence of boxing, it focuses on the man behind the boxing gloves. The film cares about Walter not just as a boxer but as a man of faith, a brother, and a human being with aspirations and fears. This demystifies the general image of a boxer and presents a sympathetic insight into their life behind every punch and fall in the ring.

Douglas Edwards' narration is not only informative but empathetic. He manages to convey the mechanics of boxing whilst infusing the narrative with intimate insights into Cartier's mindset. The prose-based commentary mirrors Kubrick’s visual storytelling, underscoring the sport's brutality and the boxer's romantic spirit.

Nat Fleischer appears as himself in the movie. The revered boxing historian offers credibility to the film and anchors it to the reality of the sport. His appearance brings authenticity to the dispatches of the boxing world in which Cartier exists.

The star of the film, Walter Cartier, pulls a magnificent feat in appearing natural and unfeigned in front of the camera despite no acting experience. The sequences that capture the lightness in his interactions with his identical twin brother and manager Vincent stands as a testament to Kubrick's ability to create organic, documentary-style footage.

The cinematography in Day of the Fight also deserves applause. Kubrick, being his own cameraman, brings in an intensive visual element to his film. The comprehensive shots of New York's grimy streets, the intimate close-ups capturing the perspiration and determination in Cartier's eyes, and the fantastically orchestrated fight sequences all tell a story. The film brings in a brand of raw, hard-hitting visual stylization far from the glitz and glamor of traditional Hollywood cinema of the time.

Day of the Fight ends with an adrenaline-pumped boxing match. The match, directed with high drama and suspense, leaves the audience at the edge of their seats. The climactic fight drives home the theme of struggle and survival that emanates from the movie.

Day of the Fight is not merely a sports film, nor is it simply a human-interest narrative. It is, instead, a gripping exploration of the life of an athlete beyond the confines of their sporting arena. It is a blend of intense preparation, anxiety, anticipation, and eventual conquest. While Cartier's life is laid bare for the audience to see, it is ultimately about every other athlete's journey, however different they might be.

In conclusion, Day of the Fight is an unforgettable, short but impactful journey into the life of a professional boxer, presented with an authentic mix of hard-hitting realism and exceptional filmmaking by Stanley Kubrick. The film stands as a significant landmark not only in the realm of sports cinema and documentary filmmaking but also as the initiatory showcase of Kubrick's unorthodox cinematic style.