This is one of the best boxing films I've ever seen. Its plot focuses on the corruption in and around the boxing ring, and how a young guy from the tough side of town compromises himself to succeed as a fighter—and ultimately is faced with a crisis of conscience and serious choice.Abraham Polonsky, the scriptwriter, was nominated for an Oscar, and so was John Garfield, one of the best actors ever to appear in movies, who was unjustly blacklisted and died not long afterwards at age 39. James Wong Howe, a former boxer, is the cinematographer of Body and Soul, and his work appears to have influenced Martin Scorsese's "Raging Bull" quite a bit. It's all good, with John Garfield remaining the best.BTW, even if you don't get into boxing, you may like this movie and certain other classic boxing films. I always dismissed them, only having seen "Rocky" (not a fan) and "Raging Bull" (okay). Then I saw Robert Wise's early film "The Set-Up," with another great actor, Robert Ryan, and was astonished. After that "Requiem for a Heavyweight." Then "Body and Soul." Then quite a few more. They are all incredibly good films, and have led me to believe boxing is a sport that really lends itself to filmmaking.