TG4 film on US boxing legend with Irish roots
A new documentary being screened on TG4 next Wednesday, March 19, tells the epic story story of Johnny Kilbane, the longest reigning World Featherweight champion of all time.
Croí Trodach - A Fighting Heart by Galway-based film-maker, Des Kilbane, tells the story of Johnny Kilbane’s life, a rags-to-riches story that began on Achill Island, from where his ancestors originated, and finished in Cleveland Ohio, where Johnny Kilbane both entertained and served his community until his untimely death in 1957. The film had its world premiere at the prestigious Cleveland International Film Festival in April, where it sold out seven screenings over three nights.
Its director Des Kilbane, who is originally from Achill is a a distant relation of Johnny’s. His film tells of the boxer’s tough early life growing up in The Angle on Cleveland’s Westside, the rough side of town, his love of vaudeville, his chance discovery as a boxer and his elevation to World Boxing Champion in 1912. It goes on to trace Johnny’s role in the US Army during the World War I and his impressive boxing career of 142 fights before finally losing the crown to his French opponent in 1923.
Des Kilbane got the inspiration for this documentary in the late 1980s when he read a copy of The Book of Lists, where celebrities picked their favourites in their chosen fields. “Mike Tyson was the world champ at the time and he picked Johnny at number seven, which really amazed me,” says the director. “But it wasn’t until I found Kevin OToole’s website on Johnny (Kevin’s great grandfather) that it came to fruition.”
Des struck gold when he managed to source rare archive footage of some of Johnny’s fights, particularly the 1912 Kilbane V Atell world title fight.
“The 100-year old volatile nitrate film was in a fragile state when discovered in a Cleveland attic and had to be painstakingly restored,” he explains. “This footage was deemed to be lost forever but most of it was in good condition and will seen for the first time in the film. It also includes very rare footage of Johnny at home with his family.”
In addition, the film features a specially commissioned original soundtrack by Portland musician and award-winning writer Willy Vlautin, founder of the band Richmond Fontaine.
A Fighting Heart also explores the theme of Irish emigration to the US, the role of Irish workers on the construction of the Erie Canal and, more specifically the cultural, social and historical links between the communities of Achill Island and Cleveland, Ohio, that still exist today.
Croí Trodach - A Fighting Heart, directed by Des Kilbane and produced by Mike Keane is a co-production between Midas Productions and DK films for TG4 with the support of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. It will be screened on Wednesday next at 9.30pm on TG4.