Former boxing world champion Henry Maske, reportedly a friend of the late fellow German boxing legend Max Schmeling, is set to play the lead in a film about Schmeling’s life and career.
Coming on the heels of a distribution deal with the German firm KSM, producer-director Uwe Boll (“House of The Dead”, “Tunnel Rats”) will roll cameras starting next month.
There is no word on who will play Louis in this new German film project, but Maske, the 1988 Olympic middleweight gold medalist, was also the world title holder (IBF) in the light heavyweight category, defending his title eleven times between 1993 and 1996. Retiring in 1996 after suffering a loss at the hands of Virgil Hill, Maske won a rematch after coming out of a long retirement in 2007.
The 44-year-old, fresh off acting lessons, was quoted saying he knew the glory as well the dark underbelly of a successful boxing career, feeling this will help him authentically portray Schmeling.
Following his defeat of American boxing great Joe Louis, aka the Brown Bomber, in 1936, Schmeling became a national hero in Germany. His victory over an African-American man was touted by Nazi officials as proof of their doctrine of “Aryan superiority.”
On the night of June 22,1938 Louis and Schmeling met for the second time in the boxing ring. The fight was held in Yankee Stadium before a crowd of 70,043. It was broadcast by radio to millions of listeners throughout the world, with radio announcers reporting on the fight in English, German, Spanish, and Portuguese. Schmeling weighed in at 193 pounds; Louis weighed in at just over 198 pounds.
The fight lasted two minutes and four seconds. Louis battered Schmeling with a series of swift attacks, forcing Schmeling against the ropes. Schmeling was knocked down three times and only managed to throw two punches in the entire bout. On the third knockdown, Schmeling’s trainer threw in the towel and referee Arthur Donovan stopped the fight.
Ironically, while most people associate the German Schmeling with the Nazi party, he never joined and is reported to have once refused to accept an award from Adolf Hitler. Schmeling’s resistance of the Nazi party made him a hero in post-war Germany, where he became a successful distributor of Coca-Cola and developed a lifelong, primarily long-distance friendship with the Brown Bomber. According to a 2005 Sports Illustrated article by Frank Deford, Schmeling helped out Louis financially.
An exploration of their relationship was depicted in an earlier film, “Ring of Passion” (1978) with former NFL receiver Bernie Casey portraying Joe Louis and Stephen Macht as Max Schmeling in a made-for-tv production. There have been a few presentations on this topic. Former boxer Corey Wallace was the title star in the 1953 picture, “The Joe Louis Story“ . As part of its American Experience series, PBS in 2005 aired “The Fight“ and HBO recently produced a fine documentary, “Joe Louis: America’s Hero Betrayed“.
A highly anticipated theatrical version of the two boxing icons has been in development for some time and includes the talents of Budd Schulberg, Bert Sugar, and Spike Lee.
Great to see that a dramatic presentation of these almost legendary events will appear before the public. This is a story that can be told and retold for generations. I just hope Hollywood does the story justice and perhaps provides us with a look at some of the lesser known events surrounding the epic Schmeling vs. Louis battle. The historical events surrounding this period in boxing can only increase the drama. Can’t wait.
Seems like a natural story for the movies, wonder why they havent got it right yet. I agree with Jeff, I just Hollywood does the story justice when it it is done on a big budget scale which I presume is the case with such heavyhitters as Spike Lee.
So many elements that provide a wealth of drama. This has to be a “can’t miss” golden opportunity for Spike Bert and Budd.
Boxing has provided a terrific backdrop for Hollywood through the years, Schmeling-Lewis on the big screen should be a knockout. At least one can hope that will be the case.
The Deford article in SI was quite illuminating, think Schemling gets a bad rap. at least more than he deserves.