Risen (2010) User Reviews

I question if the other reviewers have seen this film

[Pontyprincess · 1/10 · 16 May 2011]

I recently saw this film and I must say I do not share the views of the other reviewers. The acting was consistently bad (with many a pause for actors to remember their lines or when they are supposed to come in) and the writers somehow managed to make real life (interesting) characters boring and one dimensional. I understand a lot of work went into the boxing training for this film and although the final scene's fight did look particularly realistic, I find the Jersey film festival's notion of the boxing scenes surpassing Raging Bull ridiculous. Perhaps they had not actually seen that infinitely superior film, that or they were under the influence of god knows what during the review process.

If you want to see a great boxing movie see Million Dollar Baby or Cinderella Man, or heck even Rocky IV - Stallone's mumbled delivery will seem like Shakespeare when compared to this horrendous waste of a budget.

Needs a lot of work. Below average.

[jasonbont · 2/10 · 28 June 2011]

I saw this film from rental and I must say that I was looking forward to it. Critic reviews have been very poor for this but sometimes they get things wrong. Sadly not in the case of Risen. The sound of this film is absolutely inaudible which is baffling as money has clearly been spent (with John Noble in the cast) but why not use even a small amount of time recording clear voices which is essential in making films. Neil Jones is clearly lacking any sense of style (or talent) in his direction. The acting is very weak and holds back the viewer from emotional involvement of any kind. The fighting scenes are lacking any sense of realism, except for a very good use of a head-cam which looks great but is still not enough to hide the shambles which is everything else in this film. Howard Winstone is a legend in Wales and this story just doesn't get to grips with anything that approaches interesting yet alone exciting (isn't that what Boxing movies should be?) This quote about it being better than Raging Bull is clearly a fabrication. Be warned this is obviously a paid comment of some kind, notice that a person isn't credited with the quote but rather an unknown Film Festival. I really wanted to like this film due to some knowledge of the great Mr Winstone, but I feel the director felt a need to appease the family rather than seek out the truth to this story. Bad form director! Maybe someone else can do justice to this great man.

Long and tiring

[kobe89 · 22 June 2011]

Unless you're a die hard boxing fan who must watch any film that includes a boxing glove and a ring, then you can certainly afford to miss this. I was drawn to this film by a Welsh friend who told me that he'd heard it was supposed to be better than Raging Bull - my all time favorite film... I looked on IMDb and apparently this had a 3 million pound budget... after watching it I was left feeling hugely disappointed.

What did they spend £3m on? Shane Richie? The budget sounds made up. The poster with the review from 'New Jersey Film Festival' about it being better than Raging Bull sounds made up.. the cover art of a boxer stood in front of a packed stadium is made up, even 4 of the 5 reviews of this film sounds made up by someone who worked on this film. So much praise for this film is hugely suspicious.

If I hadn't just seen it, I'd think the film was made up.

If I was the director I would not focus on trying to make out that this is the greatest boxing film ever - see it's flaws, learn from it and make something better next time- please.

What the...

[bobsmudge-02170 · 1/10 · 24 April 2016]

Okay I watched this film based on the other reviews on here. I'm not entirely sure they have seen it! Or maybe it was the filmmakers themselves that have made bogus accounts and reviewed it? The film is so bad I really don't know how it has won so many awards, or has it? I know there is such a thing as festival rigging, filmmakers creating these festivals just to give their own films awards. But hey that's just speculation isn't it? Kudos to anyone that manages to get a film released let alone made, it really is tough. But 'Risen' has so many faults it's a wonder it got a release in the first place. From the highly awful Stuart Brennan to the highly awful production value. I understand it was low budget but there were hardly any set pieces involved, I'm not sure where the money went, all 200k of it!!! Brennan clearly is out of his depth, it's not the first film I have seen him in. The actors pause to remember lines, the emotion and drama is laughable and the score is absolutely dreadful. The whole film pivots on the all important fight scenes, but they are confusing at best, lots of 'in the action' shots which clearly demonstrates the lack of budget, or lack of how to spend it properly.

The outcome of this film is very disappointing, especially for the Winstone family, they obviously thought they were making a film with a bunch of filmmakers that know what they are doing. It had the potential to be the next 'Raging Bull', a biopic of a guy who fought with a disability to the top of the pile, a proper rags to riches story, but instead they produced a film that is flat, thin, horrendously acted and well..... boring.

I read on the director's page (Neil Jones) that he is touted as the Welsh Martin Scorsese, are you kidding??? Neil, it's okay to big yourself up but come on, let's be realistic, one of the replies to that post touts you as the Welsh Uwe Boll, now that's more like it.

Fantastic Film, dramatic with great photography and heartfelt storyline

[rhian_arwel · 10/10 · 16 February 2011]

Really enjoyed this film, high praise to the young Director. I thought the script was fantastic and it had a strong heartfelt storyline. It was great to see a boxing film that appealed to a much wider audience. Acting is second to none. Nice to see a mix of more established actors with some fresh young talent, i thought the casting was very well thought out. It was a blessing to know that the story of Howard Winstone had been researched so well and involved many of his friends and family. It was a very interesting storyline which wasn't ruined by being wrapped up in cotton wool. Strong photography throughout. Would recommend! :o)

The most significant British sports movie since "Chariots Of Fire"

[JaesonX · 8/10 · 15 August 2010]

Tonight I finally got to view "Risen", courtesy of director Neil Jones.

Having already played to a 5-minute standing ovation at the WBC Night Of Champions at Cardiff Arena & with me not exactly being a "target" audience, this must have been somewhat of a come-down for him.

I'm glad to report that "Risen" belies it's 2-hour runtime, moving carefully, but never ponderously, through the life story of Welsh boxing legend Howard Winstone.

A terrific leading performance from Stuart Brennan, at many times absolutely heart-rending, & a solid supporting cast with sly cameos by real boxing stars.

Convincing, wince-inducing fight scenes & an authentic period feel that conquers its budget as good film-making should, this is an obvious labour of love for Jones, a true gem that deserves your time.

Thank you Neil.

Let's be honest

[alexirambert-107-688527 · 15 July 2011]

This is a movie for wannabe film makers, boxers and residents of Merthyr Tydfil only.

Anyone who makes a feature for £200k over five years deserves some respect but that doesn't extend to watching the full two hours of this effort.

You could forgive much of the poor acting by amateurs and ex boxers but the production quality was dire - especially the sound. Dialogue was inaudible in places (suspect Jones directed actors to mutter in scenes leading up to written lines).

A serious re edit, chopping off half an hour, with a new sound track and something to even out the dodgy video grading might raise it to two stars.

There were a couple a laughs though. I particularly enjoyed the scene in the parents house when they're eating a fish and chip supper and drinking red wine - with orange juice for Howard. This is 1950s Merthyr! They'd never seen red wine and orange juice only came in tiny Britvic bottles to have with vodka in the pub.

BTW not wishing to flame another post but to Colin_Coyne, we must have been at the same Q&A showing 14 July so your review would have more credibility if you had basic facts correct. The film ran two hours but you sign off saying it's 90 mins long, which I guess you cut and pasted from elsewhere.

And to reviewer dipsy-lee54, don't worry despite some misinformation about the budget being $3m, it was made for £200k (according to Jones/Brennan at the Q&A)

Moving story, dramatic scenes and beautifully shot.

[brotherstu · 10/10 · 17 February 2011]

I was lucky enough to see this film at the premiere in Cardiff and it was brilliant.

The life of Howard Winstone was a hard fought battle and the film portrays this perfectly. The cast deliver fantastic performances.

What makes a difference is that some of the people featured in the story actually appear in the film, working alongside young actors who are playing them. It makes it feel more personal having people who knew Howard taking part in the film.

I'm really looking forward to watching it again when the DVD comes out and everyone should try to see this if they get a chance!

As good as Raging Bull!

[kingmonkey-2 · 10/10 · 17 February 2011]

This movie has the best fight scenes ever. Simply awesome. Story is gripping and fast. Acting superb, music cool, direction stylish and the whole production top notch.

Lots of great locations are used, really capturing Britain in the 60's. How they managed to film in the Albert Hall I don't know, looked so impressive though! John Noble is really good, nice to see him doing something British.

More British films should follow suit and make great true stories into movies, we have enough of them! Fair play to the director and producers, they pulled this off big time.

A must see for boxing fans and general film fans alike.

It's gonna sock it to ya ...

[colin_coyne · 15 July 2011]

There was a good atmosphere in the audience at the start of this film as it was introduced by Stuart Brennan – who plays the lead role in the film, the part of Howard Winstone, with the promise of a Q & A session after the film with director Neil Jones and Stuart Brennan.

RISEN by director Neil Jones, and written by Jones and Stuart Brennan, is the moving, true story of the rising talents of an the young boxer Howard Winstone (later to become an MBE), the boy from Merthyr Tydfil in Wales, who was rapidly rising the amateur featherweight ranks as a fighter of some standing with a fearsome right hand …

The future beckoned great things for young Howard until a tragic accident in his workplace that saw him lose the top half of three of the fingers on his right hand … But, even such a cruel twist of fate was merely a temporary set back for Howard, who, when goaded on by his parents, teamed up with boxing trainer Eddie Thomas (himself a former European Welterweight champion) who taught him an alternative way to fight, so that he could still compete in the boxing ring.

Through sheer guts, and determination, and using his new fighting style Howard continued to be successful, being unbeaten in 6 years and winning 83 out of 86 amateur matches. Howard soon turns professional and after another 24 straight wins, he gets a shot at the British Featherweight title against Terry Spinks, which he wins and then goes onto be champion of Europe.

Soon, the next big hurdle is the Featherweight Championship of the World ...

What makes this film stand out is the performances of the characters in the leading roles – Stuart Brennan is excellent as Howard Winstone, John Noble is very convincing as the trainer Eddie Thomas, and Grainne Joughin as Howard's Wife Bennita – there are some fine performances all round by a very well chosen cast.

I say now, that I am not really a fan of boxing – but this film has a lot more to it than that … it shows remarkable courage, determination against tremendous odds and set-backs, it has some quite emotional sequences – even during "the thick of the action" – my favourite stand-out scene was during the third World title fight against Vicente Saldivar – when the world, the crowd and everything else just seemed to fade away … leaving just two giants of the ring slugging it out in slow motion with a backing track of Beethoven's moonlight sonata … it was really quite an emotive scene …

The Direction was sensitive to the subject matter (the Director also hails from Merthyr Tydfil in Wales) … the scenery and ambiance was great, music, acting all pretty accomplished.

In the Q & A session after the film, we met, listened to, and asked questions of Director Neil Jones and Stuart Brennan, who both wrote the screenplay … they were very open to questions and they told us of the difficulties (mostly due to funding) of making this five year labour of love … and it was obvious to all there the passion that these guys had for this film and the subject matter … and it certainly shows through in the finished result. The fight scenes were really quite intimate as well with some very close up camera action – and we assured that the actors really did make contact on several occasions – they weren't just acting ... and some of that blood was real!

I would recommend RISEN to fight fans and for those that would want to see a really well told biopic of a truly courageous, remarkable man … Howard Winstone MBE.

RISEN is 90mins long, is a 12A certificate and will be on general release from May 2011

Authentic - this is what it's like to fight

[michaeldecker · 6 October 2011]

Ignore all the reviews written by people who aren't boxers, because only a boxer can tell you just how good the fight scenes were in this movie. But if you're one of those armchair critics that think Sylvester Stallone and Mr T are great boxers, or that Robert DeNiro coulda been a contender, then this film is *not* for you.

On the other hand, if you've actually boxed then you'll gasp at the authenticity of the fight scenes in this movie. You'll even double-take as you realise that one of his opponents is played by Erik Morales (world champion at four different weights)! Yes, this film is flawed here and there, and some of the acting is fairly dismal, but who cares? This is a *boxing* film and the one thing they get 100% right is the ring action.

See this movie, and then see Raging Bull - one is a boxer's film, the other is a Hollywood movie. Both are enjoyable to watch and are great biopics, but only one of them gets passed around on DVD at the boxing club....and it's not Raging Bull

Not comparing to ANY film but at least they tried!

[ralph25911 · 14 July 2011]

Was invited for a screening of this at the Empire Leics. Sq today. Film started out draggingly slow, but it did not accelerate any quicker either. Honestly, the film makers did their best and the fight scenes although not staged were; should I use the word impressive here?; real enough. Others who have reviewed this keep comparing this to Raging Bull and moaning about the lack of quality, why did you watch it then? This cost £200K to produce, how much did it cost producers of Raging Bull? Life in Wales is not exciting as many would like so if you fancy some high voluting production then do not watch this or compare it to ANY Hollywood or mega bucks production. It took them 5 years from start to finish, running into difficulties, all appreciated, but losing ones fingers can set a person back quite badly, THIS the film fails to concentrate on, but steers towards Howards punishing hope to attain the TITLE. I was fidgeting throughout, trying to eat my way through Jelly Babies but failed! I would still say Go see it but don't expect the Glitz! Enjoy!