I want a man … not a human punching bag!
Expecting the usual loss, a boxing manager takes bribes from a betting gangster without telling his fighter.
The Set-Up (1949) is a drama and crime film directed by Robert Wise, released on March 29, 1949 with a runtime of 1h 13m. It stars Robert Ryan, Audrey Totter, George Tobias and Alan Baxter. Viewers rate it 7.4 out of 10 across 184 ratings.
Watch the official trailer for The Set-Up before you stream it.
Official trailers, teasers, clips and featurettes for The Set-Up.
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Robert Ryan
as Stoker
Audrey Totter
as Julie
George Tobias
as Tiny
Alan Baxter
as Little Boy
Wallace Ford
as Gus
Percy Helton
as Red
Hal Baylor
as Tiger Nelson
Darryl Hickman
as Shanley
Kevin O'Morrison
as Moore
James Edwards
as Luther Hawkins
David Clarke
as Gunboat Johnson
Phillip Pine
as Souza
Directed by Robert Wise, written by Robert Wise, Art Cohn and Joseph Moncure March, produced by Richard Goldstone and Dore Schary.
Average viewer score of 7.4/10 from 184 ratings.
Don't you see Bill? You are always just one punch away. The Set-Up is directed by Robert Wise and stars Robert Ryan & Audrey Totter. The screenplay was adapted by Art Cohn from a 1928 poem written by Joseph Moncure March. The story (played out in real time) sees Ryan as Stoker Thompson, a 35 year old nearly washed up boxer still trundling around the circuit believing he's still got what it takes to become a champ.…
Reviewed on May 31, 2019
Solid little noir with a great sense of place—sweaty gyms, grimy streets, and a ticking clock that adds real tension. The boxing scenes pack a punch and the mood’s properly bleak. It’s not top-tier stuff, but at just over an hour, it doesn’t waste your time. Worth a watch.
Reviewed on March 26, 2025
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The Set-Up (1949) is currently available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube and Fandango At Home. No subscription streaming option is listed right now, so availability may change.
The main cast of The Set-Up (1949) includes Robert Ryan, Audrey Totter, George Tobias, Alan Baxter and Wallace Ford. The film was directed by Robert Wise. You can see the full cast and crew list, with character names, further up this page.
The Set-Up was released on March 29, 1949 and runs for 1h 13m.
The Set-Up (1949) holds an average rating of 7.4 out of 10 from 184 viewer votes, and is a good pick if you enjoy drama and crime films. Read the viewer reviews on this page to decide for yourself.
Yes. The official The Set-Up trailer is embedded in the trailer section of this page and plays instantly, no download or sign-up required.
