F.I.S.T. (1978)

This film is done on a very low budget, and its a great film. Some times, low budget film compensate with good acting. The script, probably has some real life experiences in it, with a few of the scenes, especialy with the apple boxes, and the double cross part in the film. After watching this film, I thought this film is great, and I am happy I spent my time watching a true gem.

Fmovies: For the most part, this is a good, solid (pseudo)biography of a charismatic labor leader, but towards the end it runs out of steam and loses the clarity and effectiveness of the early sequences. Still, it's worth seeing, with Stallone getting one of his most atypical roles and handling it satisfyingly. (**1/2)

The Federation of InterState Truckers, or F.I.S.T., is a struggling little labor union in the depths of the Depression. Johnny Kovak signs on as an organizer, and the Cleveland local begins to grow, as Johnny moves up the leadership ladder. But Johnny early on reluctantly makes shady alliances, to get "the push" (his term for influence) for his union, and it returns to haunt him and his men. Unforgettable scenes abound in this masterpiece. The interplay between Johnny and nemesis Babe Milano - Kovak's stumbling efforts at courtship, contrasting with his stony demands at early opponent Consolidated Trucking, and the owners' icy reticence - a violence-torn strike - and then we see Kovak's rise to national union leadership, his growing list of powerful enemies, and his inevitable demise, shrouded in mystery and legend. It's a film to see again and again. The sweeping, epic score by Bill Conti accentuates the ever-unfolding saga, but keeps the audience reminded of the early roots of Johnny Kovak and his colleagues and those he has grown to love and hate. Despite Sylvester Stallone's riveting virtuoso performances in "F.I.S.T." and the following "Paradise Alley", the lukewarm box-office response to this multi-shaded side of his acting abilities soon led to the more commercial, and less-dimensional, roles that he is best known for now. I think his finest work ever is seen in this wonderful film. Highly recommended to all.

F.I.S.T. fmovies. This is an unappreciated film, mostly because it's star doesn't exactly have a good reputation as an 'actor'. This film is definately worth catching and it is worthy of repeated viewings. The music too is perfect for the film. It charts the rise of a Union leader from his humble beginnings to his fame. The story sustains the attention of the viewer throughout the picture. Stallone is better in the earlier scenes as a young Johny Kovak. His acting limitations come about as we see him as an older man. All he does his makes his voice a little husky and the make up on him (and other members of the cast) is ineffective. Early in his career, kovak has the dilema of bringing in the mob for help after an unsuccessful strike which results in one of his best men being killed. If he brings them in, he can enforce his will on the big companies and make the union very strong. Without them, he has little chance of the union growing. To the dismay of his best friend, he takes them in. His decision comes back to haunt him. Stallone tailored the script so he can play the good guy, originally Kovak wasn't a nice man. There is a nice scene with him and Brian Dehenny who later would turn up as Rambo's nemesis in first blood. I would certainly recommend fans and non fans of Stallone to catch this movie.

This is one of Stallone's best performances as an actor! In all the following movies in the 80's and 90's he is more appreciated for his 'presence' and strength as a person, but in this one he portrays a lifestory of a union worker that rose to greatest fame. Don't lose heart if you feel bored in the beginning of the movie, it gets better and in the second half, when many years have past, it gets really good. It is a grand movie-story and definitely a recommendation for anyone who likes movies about the fate of others.

Stallone, known for physique, bulging biceps, droopy eyes and slurred speech has proved audiences that he is one of the finest actors. Personally, he is one of my favourite actors since I was a kid and movies like Rocky, Copland, First-Blood (rambo), Lock-Up, Nighthawks, Oscar and Asassins have also proved the same. F.I.S.T begins with the story of a struggling blue collar worker back in the 1930s of USA. He tries to live the American dream, but is only betrayed, kicked and disgusted with life around him. His character Johnny Kovak moves to become an organiser for Labour Unions in the first half of the movie. The second half shows him becoming older as president of the Trucking Labour Unions and the dirty deals he is forced to undertake to ensure welfare of the workers. The film is based on the lines of Rocky as a struggling man trying to cope, added with a realistic ending. A must see for Stallone fans and people who like Drama movies. Bill Conti's score is moving and Norman Jewison's direction is amazing. A satisfactory story line combined with some powerful performances will impress you. I am quite surprised as to why this film is so underrated !