Watching Joe Louis and Charlie Retzlaff trade leather

Is it worth your time?

If you're into the history of boxing or just like seeing how people moved before the internet ruined our posture, yeah, catch this. It’s barely a few minutes long. If you want a deep plot or three-act structure, look elsewhere—like Vanity Fair or something with actual dialogue.

Joe Louis is a machine here. There’s no other way to put it. He moves with this weird, terrifying efficiency that makes Retzlaff look like he’s fighting in slow motion.

Odd observations from the ring

• The crowd is dressed like they’re all going to a funeral, which is such a strange vibe for a beatdown.
• Retzlaff’s face goes through a lot of changes in a very short amount of time.
• The camera work is jumpy, almost like the cameraman was trying to dodge a stray hook himself.

There’s a moment where Louis just lands a shot and you can see the *exact second* Retzlaff decides he’s had enough. It isn’t cinematic in the way we see in movies today. It’s just blunt.

Honestly, I kept waiting for Phil Collins to pop up because he was listed in the credits, but he definitely isn't in this. Maybe it's a database glitch, or maybe I missed him in the back row wearing a fedora. Who knows.

This isn't as lighthearted as Ridin' Gents, obviously. It’s just two guys in a ring, and the film stock is so scratched it feels like you're watching it through a screen door. But there's something real about that.

It’s a short burst of energy. Watch it once, marvel at how fast Louis's hands are, and then go do something else. 🥊