THE VOICE

"A Punchy boxing film".

Sports enthusiasts who love the cinema have always found it hard to find a good boxing drama film. The last one of note was 'Raging Bull', starring Robert De Niro, in 1980, which was a classic. British made boxing films tend to lack authenticity, partly because-they are woefully under funded. But occasionally, a boxing film comes out that packs a good punch and 'Dark Summer' does just that. It is set in Liverpool and tells the tale of the lost innocence of two youngsters, Jess (Joeline Garner Joel) and Abe (Steve Ako). They meet and fall in love when she starts work at her father's scrap metal yard, where Abe works as a mechanic. At night Abe fastidiously trains to better himself as an amateur boxer. Their relationship, and the fight scenes, make fascinating viewing. The ring action is arguably the best ever recorded - some of it is real championship footage.