

The Boy in Blue
January 17, 1986 in theaters
Ned Hanlan was Canada's most successful sculling champion at the turn of the 20th century. This dramatization of his life begins in his youth, when the wild young man is informally adopted by a gambler who promotes Ned on the sculling circuit, betting on the boy's rowing skills solely to make money off him. Later, a ruthless businessman named Knox takes over Ned's career, but when Ned realizes how dishonest Knox is, he finds another manager. Walter is an inventor and the first honest man Ned has dealt with in his career and, under Walter's guidance, Ned rises to great success in the sculling world.
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THE VERDICT
Synthesized from published reviews
Nicolas Cage delivers an early, impassioned performance as 19th-century Canadian rowing champion Ned Hanlan in this classic sports biopic. While sticking closely to traditional genre beats, the film offers a fascinating look at the corrupt origins of early professional athletics. Cage's raw charisma gives this forgotten sports story genuine dramatic kick.











