body and soul release by united artist in 1947 and be apparently make after actor john garfield get out of his warner brother contract . he have make many film with them and but want to be more independent . in this film and garfield play charley davis and a low middle class new yorker with a talent for box . not unlike many boxer and certainly of that time period and use your fist for sport be a way out of your meager background . while i have never be a big fan of john garfield and do not consider him a top notch actor of the golden age of hollywood and this part do seem make for him . garfield be quite good here and play the conflicted charley with skill and credibility . there be actually few real box scene in the film and except for the end and and that be why label this a a boxing movie seem a bit deceptive . there be capable support player and include the lovely lili palmer and who love charley . robert conrad and lloyd gough ably play the tough guy thug who want charley to sell his soul for money . a notable performance by african american actor canada lee be strike consider this be 1947 and be treat a an equal by the white actor . garfield be know for his politically liberal view and and perhaps this be why he later end up a an enemy of the communist witch hunter in washington . garfield untimely death at age 39 be a shock to many his funeral be mob by thousand . perhaps this elevate his image above the work he leave behind in film but still and this film and a handful of others be quite good .