BroadcastChic Excellent, a Must See

Konterr Brilliant and touching

Huievest Instead, you get a movie that's enjoyable enough, but leaves you feeling like it could have been much, much more.

StyleSk8r At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

haggisdog This was the best reality show I've ever seen. All of these contestants were stand-up guys fighting for a better life for themselves and their families. They fought wars and handled themselves with pride and dignity regardless of the outcome. It was heartbreaking to hear these proud warriors after their defeats get reduced to tears as they lamented the lost opportunity. Every single fighter described their bitter disappointment in terms of the impact it would have on their families, this while they carried the bruises, cuts and pain of having just laid everything out on the line for their opportunity. This show was really well produced and edited, Slyvester Stallone and Sugar Ray Leonard were real highlights and they were the perfect hosts for this show.

Stephen Bailey This is the best TV show I've seen for a VERY long time. Every episode was riveting. Like all Sylvester Stallone's projects it was SO simple, but pushed all the right buttons, provided 1st class entertainment - and made a fortune. If I wore a hat I'd sure take it off in respect. The basic 'plot' was bringing together 16 of the world's finest Middleweight boxers, the only condition being none of them had ever got the chance to fight for a world title. One by one they fought each other until only 2 guys remained, and the winner received $1,000,000. Each one of these brave young men had an equal chance to be "the contendor". The drama in each installment was un-rivalled. Who can ever forget how "underdog" Alfonso Gomez picked the strongest opponent in the first episode - and won, or how Anthony (Mr Selfish) Bonsante got his just desserts in spectacular style, or the come-back of Peter Manfredo. Fantastic. Every one of these athletes (even Bonsante) deserved a million dollars and I admit I shed a tear or two when I heard what happened to Najai. He had a beautiful family. Stallone & Sugar Ray made all 16 of these guys feel like stars and i reckon 99% of schoolteachers will be green with envy at how an actor and a boxer managed to bring out all this talent and potential in so short a time. Even though we all know who won I'd happily watch the whole show again. It was THAT good. My final thought, Sly, if you're reading, how about re-making the show next year with heavyweights? I give The Contendor 9 out of 10.

vampcrw The show was great but u should of had it on "spike t.v.". thats the real man show and you would be shock to see how many women watch it as well. something like the contender should have never been on NBC. yes it was a great starting point but it would have done even better on spike t.v. and you could have done more. i seen shows that been gone for years now they are on spike and doing almost better then when they first came out. its just a thought and i don't know if you'll ever see this but if you do you should do a poll and see for your self. thanks for a really great show and great movies. please think about it i know there was guys waiting for a shot to get started like that. \ sincerely VampireCrow Thomas Ostrander

r287 Unlike a lot of reality shows this one is brilliantly made and edited and is very classy, Stallone and Sugar Ray combine to make a truly great piece of entertainment. The show has had to face a lot of adversaries such as the awful copy-cat attempt - the next great champ, also it has been delayed and put in a very difficult time-slot and lets be honest boxing is not what it used to be, what's more one of the contestants even committed suicide a few months after filming for an unknown reason. However the final product is worth everything they have put in and the program is a visual spectacle with the fight at the end of every episode being the highlight. Luckily it doesn't just focus on boxing, even those who don't watch boxing will love it as it is concentrated on the moving stories of the boxers and their families.Great Stuff!