MovieChat Forums > Flesh & Blood (1979) Discussion > in the movie

in the movie

posted 19 years ago by LFryer1324
3 replies | jump to latest

Hi ...I was in this film, which was filmed, in part, on the campus of the University of Illinois at the Assembly Hall. The hall was made up to look like a boxing ring in Las Vegas. I appeared in some scenes with and met, Berringer, Cassevettes, and Mitchell Ryan. I'm not sure if Denzel Washington was there on that particular set, he wasn't yet a star. But Pleshette was. Unfortunately, I didn't have a chance to meet her. Alas, I was only one of the extras in the film, but on the up side, I did get to sit directly behind Mitch Ryan and Cassavettes during the fight scenes, so I was on film several times. Here's the weird part, we had no idea what the film was about, other than the boxing. So, until it was released, I was totally oblivious as to it's incestual content. I did hear from several of the others appearing in the film, that Suzanne Pleshette was great to work with, and had no problems using the "language of a merchant marine"! :) Personally,I hate the subject matter of the film, but the overall film production was really top rate. I certainly would NOT recommend it to anyone who is offended by such things. And how could you NOT be?? But, still, it was a fun experience. Long, tiring, boring at times, but a neat learning experience! LF**

[–] timgriffin_2000 15 years ago

I was an extra in this movie too. They used the Windy City Gym which was my father's place as a loction. I was one of the boxers in the background while they shot the scenes around the gym area.

I met Denzel, Berenger,and Cassavettes while they did here scenes and actually had lunch with them during the break... Denzel didn't look like he does now, he was thin and not as good looking as he is now...that's my opinion of course.

I didn't meet Ms. Pleshette unfortunately..

I saw the movie after it was released but I didn't know about the subject matter until then. My mother wasn't happy about it I recall.

I also recall that Cassavettes got into a huge tiff with the director because he couldn't remember his line this one scene.. I was 17 when it was made and I am almost 50 now so I don't remember evevything but I do recall that arguement.

This movie was one of many shot at the Windy City Gym.. I was an extra in about five of them....including a movie starring Marcello Mastrianni when I was twelve.

[–] lastmidnite2 14 years ago

geez, I can't believe so many feathers were ruffled by an adult theme sensitively handled.

[–] jewmadd 14 years ago

You guys that were in the movie and met Berenger tell us fans what he was like back then. I read he thought this movie was some of his best work.